How to Wrap Furniture for Moving? A Comprehensive Guide
Furniture can be a tricky item to move, especially if it is large, heavy or fragile. If not properly packed you could cause damage like scratches, dents, staining and more.
By using the correct packing materials and methods you can help keep your furniture safe whether you are moving locally or putting them into storage.
In this guide we will show you how to wrap furniture for moving properly.
Why Should You Wrap Furniture Before Moving?
There are some reasons why you should wrap them up are:
It will help to prevent any scratches or dents to the furniture.
Furniture covers and moving blankets will help to keep the furniture clean from any dust or dirt.
Properly packed will keep any loose parts, such as drawers and doors, secure.
Wooden surfaces, glass panels and upholstered furniture all need extra protection from scratches, staining and knocks.
If properly wrapped your furniture will be less likely to get damaged whilst loading, transporting and unloading.
What Materials Do You Need to Wrap Furniture?
Before you start wrapping furniture, gather the right packing supplies. Different materials provide different levels of protection depending on the furniture's size, shape, and surface.
Packing Material | Purpose |
Moving blankets | Protect furniture from scratches, dents, and minor impacts. |
Stretch wrap | Secure moving blankets and keep loose parts together. |
Bubble wrap | Cushion fragile components, such as glass panels and decorative pieces. |
Packing paper | Protect delicate surfaces and prevent direct contact with other materials. |
Packing tape | Secure packing materials without applying tape directly to furniture. |
Corner protectors | Protect sharp edges and corners from chipping or impact damage. |
Furniture covers | Protect furniture from dust, dirt, and light moisture exposure. |
Zip-top bags | Store screws, bolts, and other small hardware during disassembly. |
Common Points to Consider While Packing Furniture When Moving: Step-by-Step
Properly wrapping your furniture will help to keep it safe. Whilst these 6 steps can be applied to most furniture items, some furniture may need extra care.
Step 1: Clean & Dry Your Furniture:
Before wrapping up your furniture you should make sure to wipe down any dust, grime or dirt from it using a soft cloth or appropriate cleaning product.
Ensure your furniture is completely dry before packing. Any excess moisture can cause staining, mould and damage to wooden surfaces especially if stored for long periods of time.
Step 2: Take Apart Loose Items
Take apart any loose items from your furniture (Table legs, Shelves, Cushions & Glass).
Keep any small items like screws and bolts in labelled bags, place them with the furniture they belong to.
Large furniture can be taken apart to help prevent damage during transport though narrow hallways.
Step 3: Protect Corners and Fragile Areas
Corners on your furniture are very prone to damage during transport.
Protect any exposed edges using foam, corner protectors or bubble wrap. If you have wooden furniture, use a soft barrier between your plastic wrap and furniture.
Ensure you pay extra care to any glass, ornamental pieces or delicate finish.
Step 4: Cover Furniture With Moving Blankets
Cover your furniture with moving blankets.
Ensure any exposed sides, corners & edges are covered. If you have large furniture, use more than one blanket.
Ensure there is no exposed area that could come into contact with anything.
Step 5: Wrap Up with Stretch Wrap
Once you have covered your furniture wrap with stretch wrap. Wrap tightly so that your blankets do not slip but ensure that you are not causing damage to delicate parts by over tightening.
Do not wrap any sensitive wood or leather surfaces with stretch wrap, especially if you will be storing for a long period of time.
Step 6: Label & Prepare Furniture for Loading
If required label your wrapped furniture, especially if it contains any fragile items. Use labels such as Fragile, Glass or This Side Up. Ensure everything is secured and any loose items have been well packed.
How to Wrap Different Types of Furniture
The way you wrap your furniture will depend on what material your furniture is made from and the design. Here are some examples of how to help protect some common items in your home.
How to Wrap a Couch or Sofa for Moving?
Take off any cushions and removable legs. Pack cushions into individual clean, breathable covers.
Protect the surface of your sofa by wrapping it in moving blankets. Use stretch wrap to secure these, but do not pull too tight.
If you have a leather sofa, take care not to place plastic wrap directly onto the surface. If in long term storage.
How to Wrap Wooden Furniture
Wipe clean your wooden furniture using a soft cloth.
Use moving blankets or wrapping paper and wrap to protect your pieces. Fix in place with stretch wrap.
Pay particular care to corners, ornate designs and shiny surfaces. Avoid using any packing tape directly onto the wood as this can cause damage.
How to Wrap Tables and Chairs for Moving
Where possible remove any legs from the table and individually wrap with moving blankets.
Foam or bubble wrap should be used to protect chair legs, backs and corners, while covered chairs can be wrapped with clean moving blankets.
Use stretch wrap to secure the covers around the furniture to ensure they are firmly in place.
How to Wrap Dressers and Cabinets
Empty drawers and cabinets before moving to reduce weight and prevent items from shifting.
Remove shelves, glass panels, and detachable hardware when possible. Protect corners and edges with padding before covering the furniture with moving blankets.
Secure drawers and doors using stretch wrap over the protective covering. Avoid applying tape directly to finished surfaces.
How to Wrap Glass Furniture
Glass furniture needs extra care.
If possible, take glass tops and shelves out of their packaging. Pack each piece of glass with bubble wrap, foam and packing paper.
Use hard board or suitable protective panels to provide extra protection. Mark the box clearly as being fragile and if possible lay large glass panels flat.
How to Wrap a Bed Frame and Headboard
Follow the manufacturer's instructions to take apart your bed frame. Keep screws, bolts and fittings in labelled bags.
Use bubble wrap or foam to individually wrap the bed frame parts. If you have a wooden or upholstered headboard protect it by wrapping it in something soft.
Then wrap the items up in stretch wrap. Small parts should be kept together to make reassembly easier.
If you are finding how to pack different types of mattresses without damaging, you should read a comprehensive guide.
What Common Mistakes Should Be Avoided When Storage or While Relocating?
Even when using quality packing materials, certain mistakes can increase the risk of furniture damage.
Applying tape directly to furniture: Packing tape can leave adhesive residue or damage painted, polished, and wooden surfaces.
Wrapping damp furniture: Moisture trapped beneath protective coverings can cause mold, stains, or damage during storage.
Using plastic wrap directly on delicate surfaces: Prolonged contact with plastic can trap moisture or affect sensitive wood and leather finishes.
Ignoring corners and edges: Unprotected corners are more likely to suffer dents, scratches, or chips during handling.
Leaving drawers unsecured: Loose drawers and cabinet doors can open unexpectedly and become damaged during transportation.
Using insufficient padding: Thin or poorly secured coverings may not provide enough protection against impacts.
Overtightening stretch wrap: Excessive pressure can damage delicate furniture parts or compress upholstered surfaces.
Stacking heavy items on fragile furniture: Heavy boxes or appliances can damage glass, upholstery, and furniture frames.
How Big Box Storage Can Help You in Safe Moving and Storage
Big Box Storage is a family-run portable storage company serving San Diego since 2003. It provides a convenient alternative to traditional self-storage by delivering portable storage containers directly to customers' locations.
This allows homeowners to wrap, organize, and load furniture at their own pace without making repeated trips to a storage facility.
Need a convenient way to store your furniture during a move? Contact Big Box Storage to explore portable storage options in San Diego.
Conclusion: Correctly wrapping furniture can help prevent any damage such as scratches and dents. Using the right packaging items, protecting fragile parts and using the correct wrapping methods can help protect your possessions.
If you are a homeowner that needs extra time and space, Big Box Storage provides an easy way to store your furniture in a portable storage container in San Diego.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you wrap furniture in plastic when moving?
Yes, stretch wrap can help secure moving blankets and protect furniture during transportation. However, avoid applying plastic directly to delicate wooden or leather surfaces, especially during long-term storage.
Can you use blankets to wrap furniture?
Yes. Moving blankets are designed to protect furniture from scratches and minor impacts. Regular household blankets can provide some protection, but they may not be as durable or thick as moving blankets.
How do you protect wooden furniture during a move?
Clean and dry the furniture, cover it with soft moving blankets, and protect corners with foam padding. Secure the coverings without applying tape directly to the wood.
Should you empty drawers before moving furniture?
Use soft protective materials, pad vulnerable areas, and secure coverings without excessive pressure. Avoid direct contact between adhesive tape or plastic wrap and delicate furniture finishes.
How do you wrap furniture without damaging it?
Answer
Can you leave furniture wrapped in plastic for storage?
It depends on the material and storage conditions. Plastic wrap can trap moisture and may damage sensitive surfaces over time. For extended storage, use clean, breathable protective coverings when appropriate.
