Moving can be both exciting and overwhelming. There’s a lot of physical work that goes into it, especially when you’ll be taking large furniture with you. The last thing that you want to happen is to find out your furniture was damaged during transit, just because you didn’t pack it well.
Packing can be a manageable task to do with the right materials and knowledge on how to do so. If you’re moving any time soon, you’re in luck. Here are some of the best tips on packing large furniture, given by expert Annapolis movers themselves:
1. Never Skimp On Packing Materials
The very foundation of good furniture packing starts with the packing materials you have. Never skimp on your packing materials; your goal is for your furniture to arrive in a safe and undamaged condition. Before you start packing, it’s best that you already have the basics on hand. That way, you’ll get to enjoy a smoother and faster packing process.
Make sure to stock up on the following packing essentials:
- Foam wrap
- Cardboard boxes
- Bands
- Cushioning or protective materials
- Cling wrap
- Packing tape
- Pallets (did you know that you can consider turning old pallets into furniture as well…)
Apart from buying these items above, you should start looking for cheap local movers who can help you have a smooth and efficient move.
2. Clean Your Furniture Before Packing
Take the time to clean all your furniture before you pack them. Make sure to dust and wipe them as well.
Dust can cause scratches on smooth surfaces once you’ve packed and sealed your furniture. When you leave dust trapped, it might also create unpleasant discoloration on softer surfaces. Because of this, your furniture might get damaged during the move. You certainly don’t want this to happen.
By cleaning your furniture before packing, you avoid bringing in unnecessary dust and dirt to your new home. Otherwise, you’re going to have to do more cleaning than necessary after you move in. Organizing and preparing your new home after your move is going to be easier if you bring in clean furniture.
3. Disassemble Furniture If Possible
Are there furniture items that you assembled yourself after you bought them? Perhaps there are Ikea items around your house. Whatever you can disassemble without destroying, do so.
Yes, it’s going to take more time and effort, but disassembling your furniture is the best way to keep them safe and intact. You can expect to have less damage when bulky pieces are disassembled properly and put safely in a box. Moreover, it’s going to be a lot easier to go through narrow doors and staircases when you’ve already disassembled bulkier items. What’s more, the packing process is also going to be easier.
Here are some typical examples of furniture pieces that you can disassemble:
- Desks
- Tables
- Dressers
- Beds
- Wall cabinets and bookshelves
However, remember this important note: Do take pictures of the furniture before you disassemble them. Also, take photos of every step of the disassembly process. That way, you’ll know how to piece it all back together again.
4. Cover Sharp Corners
Remember baby proofing your furniture? The same concept applies to packing. Before you put large furniture into a container van, take the time to protect the sharp corners. This part of large furniture is most vulnerable to damage. Additionally, the sharp corners of furniture can damage other items in the truck. For example, if you place a sofa next to sharp-edged furniture, these corners can cause some rips.
For that reason, it’s important to cover all the sharp edges with cardboard protectors or bubble wrap.
5. Wrap Your Furniture With Blankets
Think of this process as if you’re wrapping a birthday present. Wrap blankets around large furniture that you can’t disassemble. Blankets serve as the furniture’s layer of protection against possible scratches and other damage. Use multiple blankets if you have to.
Cling wrap or foil won’t do the trick with large and hard furniture, as the former can easily have holes—especially when there are sharp edges around. Blankets are excellent protection against hard surfaces.
6. Wrap The Rest Of The Furniture Pieces Correctly
Once you’ve finished wrapping the bigger and harder pieces with blankets, that’s one step down. But there are still many other delicate furniture pieces to take care of. The secret to maintaining the condition and quality of these items is to wrap each one the right way, with the right materials.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet to follow:
- Plastic wrap or cling wrap can work for sofas and other cushioned pieces
- Bubble wrap is ideal for the more delicate wood pieces. This also works best for glass tabletops and mirrors.
When using plastic wrap and bubble wrap, remember to ensure that you’ve covered all corners and edges. Don’t be stingy with your bubble wrap. Be sure that you leave no area exposed. Remember that this is your only protection for more delicate items.
7. Load The Moving Truck Efficiently
After you’ve done all the packing, it’s time to get to the most crucial part. You have to load the moving truck efficiently. All the efforts that you’ve placed into packing the pieces of furniture will only be futile if you don’t load them efficiently and correctly in the truck.
Here are some tips to follow when loading the moving truck:
- Put the heaviest and largest pieces of furniture on the sides of the truck. That way, the weight is also distributed better.
- Place mirrors and other delicate items between cushions or softer mattresses and furniture.
- Secure the larger and taller furniture with straps. When you do this, you’re able to prevent furniture from falling on smaller and more delicate items, in case of a rough journey.
Conclusion
Moving from one place to another, while bringing along your valuables, will be less difficult with these tips in mind. The bottom line is that you’ve got to prepare for your trip well. Don’t rush anything. Take your time to prepare and pack all your belongings meticulously. That way, you’re avoiding any costly mistakes later on.
All the effort that you put into packing your furniture well is going to be worth it when you realize that all your things have arrived safely. Buying new furniture in your new place should be the last thing on your mind—especially with all the other expenses that moving entails.