Wood furniture is more susceptible to damage during a move than any other item. Whether it's an antique bookcase, a desk passed down for generations or a brand new coffee table, you want to make sure your wood furniture is properly wrapped and protected on moving day.
There are a lot of simple moving mistakes made relocating furniture that should be avoided to prevent damage. Here are some tips on how to properly wrap and protect your wood furniture for your move.
How to best wrap and pack wooden furniture
The way you wrap your wood furniture is key in protecting them during your move. Obtaining the proper packing equipment is key in ensuring your furniture arrives safely. If you under wrap your furniture or fail to secure moving parts, your piece could end up getting damaged.
1. Use furniture pads, moving blankets and foam padding whenever possible
When it comes to delicate wooden furniture, there is no such thing as too much protection. It's always better to err on the side of caution when wrapping up your wood furniture. Wrap corners as thoroughly as possible and cover every square inch of exposed wood. Pieces like hutches may call for several layers of padding.
2. Do NOT wrap wooden furniture in bubble wrap or any other kind of plastic shrink wrap
Because wood is porous, covering it in multiple layer of bubble wrap or plastic shrink wrap can be very damaging to the furniture's surface. If you want to use bubble wrap as an extra line of defense, place a layer of moving blankets or furniture pads in between, so the plastic does not come in direct contact with the wood.
3. Secure drawers and remove knobs and other small pieces
Some wood furniture, especially older antique pieces, may have small parts such as handles, knobs and casters that can be dislodged during a move. Before you wrap the furniture, remove these pieces and safely pack them away in a brown envelope or Ziplock bag.
If there are drawers or cabinets on the piece, you can tie them shut with twine and place some padding underneath. This prevents the coarse twine from directly coming into the contact with the wood. Never directly tape any part of the wood furniture.
4. Remove legs and place extra padding on any corners and handles
Protruding furniture parts such as legs, corners and handles can come into contact with other objects during transport. Prevent this by removing the legs and handle and placing extra padding and protection on all corners.
How to move and load wooden furniture
After the packing process is done, and you've provided enough cushioning for your fragile wood furniture, the next step is loading the moving truck. This part of the move is where most of the damage is likely to occur, so it's important to be extra cautious during this step.
1. Use a furniture dolly for heavy items
For larger pieces of wood furniture like armoires, desks and dining room tables, use a furniture dolly to help move the items out of the house and onto the moving truck.
2. Enlist the help of others when moving heavy furniture
In addition to having the proper moving equipment, a few extra hands to help you move the furniture is also important. Never slide or drag wood furniture on the floor -- always lift the item completely off the ground and carry it in a manner that does not damage the furniture or floors.
3. Tie down larger items to prevent them from toppling over or sliding
Tie large, heavy items down to the truck bed with rope or tie-down straps to keep them stable while in transit and prevent them from falling over. Place a moving blanket in between to prevent damage to your furniture.
4. Never stack other items on top of wood furniture
Stacking heavy items on top of your delicate wood furniture can put pressure on the furniture and cause damage.
Hiring professional movers trained move wood furniture
Since wood furniture pieces can be difficult to move, the best way to prevent damage to your wood furniture is to enlist the services of professional movers. These trained professionals are well acquainted with the process of moving delicate furniture. It never hurts to hire outside moving help to lend a hand with more delicate and expensive items. If you do choose to enlist the services of professionals, make sure that they are qualified for the task for the task by doing a background check.
Nonetheless, if you are moving expensive wooden pieces, always opt for a comprehensive insurance plan to ensure that you are covered if anything goes wrong.