How to Move Your Furniture: Disassembly and Reassembly Tips and Services

DIY Tips for Disassembling and Packing Your Furniture

Moving can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to transporting large pieces of furniture. The best way to move furniture safely is to take it apart and wrap the pieces. Careful disassembly can prevent damage, ensuring that your furniture arrives at your new home in the best possible condition. Disassembled furniture is also easier to move, creating lighter and less awkward loads that are less likely to be scuffed or jostled during the move.

Different types of furniture require different approaches to disassembly. From shelves that can be broken down into flat stacks to couches where only the feet can be removed to navigate doorways, understanding how to disassemble and pack your furniture can make your move significantly easier. At Freedom Moving & Storage, we’re professional movers ready to help you with every aspect of your move, including furniture disassembly and reassembly in your new home.

Why Disassembling Furniture Is Essential for a Successful Move

When you disassemble furniture for a move, you reduce its bulk and the risk of damage. There are several good reasons to disassemble your furniture or have it professionally disassembled.

Benefits of Disassembling Furniture

The benefits of disassembling furniture before a move include:

• Easier to Carry: Smaller, lighter pieces are easier to handle.
• Less Risk of Damage: Disassembled furniture is less likely to be damaged during transit.
• Protects Your Home: There’s less risk of scuffing walls or door frames when moving smaller pieces.
• Efficient Use of Space: Disassembled furniture can be stacked more efficiently in the moving truck.

By safely disassembling your furniture, you can worry less about potential damage to your belongings and your home, while improving the efficiency of your move.

What Types of Furniture Should Be Disassembled

The larger the piece of furniture, the more beneficial it is to disassemble it. Common items to take apart before a move include beds, tables, large shelves, desks, and couches. However, not everything needs to be disassembled. Chairs and other small pieces are often light enough and not designed to be easily taken apart and reassembled.

Preparing to Disassemble Furniture

When taking apart your furniture, it’s best to approach each piece as an individual project. Creating a checklist and gathering the necessary tools can make the process smoother. It’s also important to store all small parts and hardware together with the larger pieces to ensure easy reassembly upon arrival.

Gather Necessary Tools and Supplies

Prepare the tools you’ll typically need to disassemble furniture:

• Screwdrivers (flathead and Phillips)
• Allen wrenches
• Small wrenches (combination and socket)
• Pliers and needle-nose pliers
• Mallet or rubber hammer

You may also want materials to help package small components with larger pieces:

• Zip-top bags
• Labels and markers
• Tape for attaching bags to furniture parts
• Notepad for notes and diagrams

Creating a Plan for Disassembly

Make a plan and checklist. It’s important to plan disassembly room by room and piece by piece. A smart tip is to photograph each piece of furniture before you take it apart, especially close-ups of hardware and fastenings. This will help you remember how everything fits together when it’s time to reassemble.

Bag small parts and label each bag clearly. If you have instruction manuals, pack them with your disassembled furniture. These steps can greatly simplify the reassembly process at your new home.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disassembling Common Furniture Items

How do you disassemble furniture? Here are some useful tips for common pieces of furniture that often need to be taken apart during a move.

How to Disassemble Beds

1. Remove the Mattress: Take off the mattress and wrap it in plastic to protect it from dirt and moisture.
2. Remove Support Slats or Straps: Take out any support slats or straps and bind them together.
3. Detach Feet or Legs: If the bed has removable feet or legs, unscrew them.
4. Remove the Headboard and Footboard: Carefully detach the headboard and footboard from the bed frame.
5. Disassemble the Frame: This will leave you with the bed frame, which can often be broken down further.

Stack bed pieces vertically together in the truck to save space and prevent damage.

Disassembling Tables and Desks

1. Empty Drawers and Cubbies: Remove anything stored in drawers or cubbies.
2. Detach Shelving: If the desk has integral shelving, detach it first.
3. Locate Hidden Fasteners: Look for hidden pegs, screws, or “cams” that twist to release.
4. Remove Legs: Detach legs from tables and desks where possible. Legs are usually screwed in vertically or attached with angled brackets just under the surface.
5. Bundle Components: Bundle the legs together and pack them near the tabletop or desk surface.

Disassembling Shelving Units and Cabinets

1. Remove Loose Shelves: Take out any adjustable shelves and bind them together.
2. Store Shelf Pegs: Place shelf pegs or clips in a labeled bag.
3. Disassemble the Frame: Shelves and cabinets are often assembled with hidden pegs, screws, or cams along the frame. Remove these to take the unit apart.
4. Handle Glass Carefully: Wrap glass shelves or cabinet doors in padding and box them separately if possible.

Handling Sofas and Upholstered Furniture

1. Remove Cushions: Take off all cushions and wrap them in plastic for protection.
2. Detach Feet: Remove the sofa feet if possible.
3. Check for Additional Disassembly: Some sofas allow you to detach the arms or separate sections (consult the manual if available).
4. Protect the Upholstery: Wrap the sofa frame in plastic wrap to safeguard the fabric.

Tips for Safely Transporting Disassembled Furniture

Safely transporting disassembled furniture depends on how well you pack and protect it. Wrapping and organizing your furniture components can prevent damage during the move.

Packaging and Protecting Disassembled Parts

• Use Padding Materials: Wrap pieces in bubble wrap or moving blankets for cushioning.
• Secure with Tape: Use packing tape to keep the padding in place.
• Protect Surfaces: Use plastic wrap to shield surfaces and upholstery from scratches and dirt.
• Label Everything: Attach your labeled bags of screws and small parts to the corresponding furniture pieces.

Loading Disassembled Furniture onto the Moving Truck

Disassembled furniture takes up less space but still needs to be loaded carefully. Here are some tips:

• Stack Vertically: Place flat, bundled pieces like shelves and bed frames vertically, similar to how you stack plates in a box.
• Use Mattresses for Padding: Position mattresses vertically to pad and secure other items.
• Stabilize Large Pieces: Place larger parts against the walls of the truck to provide stability for the entire load.

Reassembling Furniture After the Move

Once you arrive at your new home, it’s time to reassemble your furniture. If you’ve packed and labeled everything carefully, this stage will be much easier.

Unpacking and Organizing Parts

• Unpack One Piece at a Time: Focus on one piece of furniture at a time to stay organized.
• Bring Parts to the Right Room: Ensure all parts are carried into the correct rooms before you start assembling.
• Check for Small Parts: Make sure bags of small parts are accounted for and haven’t been misplaced.

Step-by-Step Reassembly

• Refer to Photos and Manuals: Use the photos you took and any instruction manuals to guide you.
• Reassemble in Reverse Order: Put the furniture back together in the reverse order you disassembled it.
• Ensure Stability: Check that all screws and bolts are tightened properly and that the furniture is stable.
• Look Out for Leftover Parts: If you have leftover parts, double-check your work to make sure nothing was missed.

Furniture Disassembly and Reassembly Services with Freedom Moving & Storage

If you don’t have the time or skills to disassemble and reassemble your furniture, we’re here to help. The professional movers at Freedom Moving & Storage offer comprehensive furniture disassembly and reassembly services to ensure your belongings are transported safely and set up properly in your new home. Contact us today to learn more about how we can make your move easier.