How to Protect Your Furniture During a Move

Moving furniture isn’t a one-person job, at least not if you want to avoid dings and sore muscles for days. Whether you decide to hire professional movers or rally a few strong friends, having an extra set of hands (or two) makes a world of difference. Professional movers come with the know-how and specialized equipment to handle even the trickiest furniture pieces safely. They can maneuver tight corners, navigate stairs and properly secure furniture in the truck — skills that can save you from a lot of frustration and potential damage.

If you’re taking the DIY route, be strategic about your help. Make sure your crew is up for the physical demands and give them a quick rundown of the moving plan. Assign roles: someone to hold doors open, another to spot tight turns and a couple of folks to lift and carry. And don’t forget to have the right equipment on hand, like moving straps, dollies and furniture sliders.

Before you start hauling furniture out the door, take a moment to get organized. Make a list of every piece of furniture you plan to move — yes, every single one. That includes the big-ticket items like your bed frame and sectional as well as smaller pieces like side tables and accent chairs. It might seem like overkill, but having a detailed inventory helps you stay on track and avoid last-minute surprises.

For each item, jot down its size, material and condition. This extra bit of detail will come in handy when deciding which pieces need extra protection and which ones might require disassembly. If you’re working with professional movers, share this list ahead of time so they can show up prepared with the right tools and packing supplies.

Before you wrap, pack and move your furniture, give everything a good cleaning. Dust, dirt and crumbs can scratch surfaces during the move, and you definitely don’t want to unwrap your couch at your new place only to find old stains set deeper into the fabric. Plus, if you’re storing your furniture in a self-storage unit until you move in, cleaning your furniture will help prevent mold, mildew and odors from building up.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• When wiping down hard surfaces, use a soft cloth and a gentle cleaner to remove dust and grime from wood, metal and glass furniture.
• Vacuum upholstered pieces. Get into those nooks and crannies with a vacuum attachment to remove crumbs, pet hair and dust.
• Spot-clean any stains on fabric furniture and let it dry completely before wrapping.

Grab a tape measure before you attempt to move that oversized couch or bulky dresser. Knowing the dimensions of your furniture (and your doorways) can save you from the dreaded realization that your furniture won’t fit through the door — or worse, getting it stuck halfway.

• Measure each piece: Write down the width, height and depth of your furniture, especially larger items like sofas, beds and dining tables.
• Check doorways and hallways: Measure doorframes, staircases and tight corners along your moving route.
• Plan ahead for tricky spots: If something looks too tight, consider alternate paths or whether the item needs to be disassembled.

Remember, measuring isn’t just about fitting through doors — it’s also helpful for arranging your new space. You’ll know exactly where each piece can go and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth or heaving lifting.

Taking the time to disassemble bulky items like bed frames, dining tables and sectionals may feel like an extra step, but it pays off when your furniture arrives at its new home in perfect condition. Start by removing legs, arms and any detachable components. For beds, take apart the headboard, footboard and bed rails. With tables, remove legs and, if possible, separate the tabletop from the base. 

Always keep screws, bolts and small hardware pieces in clearly labeled plastic bags. Tape these bags to the furniture or store them in a dedicated box that’s easy to access during reassembly.

If your furniture includes glass or mirrored components, such as tabletops or cabinet doors, carefully remove them and pack them separately using appropriate padding (more on that in a moment).

Protective materials are your best friends during a move. They cushion and shield your furniture pieces to prevent scratches, dents and breakage. The type of material you use depends on the furniture you’re moving, so make sure you buy the right items well before your move-out date.

Protecting Wood Furniture

Start by wrapping wood pieces in moving blankets. Follow this layer with plastic wrap to keep the blankets in place and add a barrier against moisture. Avoid placing plastic directly on wood for long periods, especially in storage, as it can trap moisture and damage your item. If your wood furniture has sharp edges or delicate carvings, use foam padding or corner protectors to add another layer of safety.

Protecting Upholstered Furniture

Stretch plastic wrap over the entire piece, paying attention to securing any loose cushions or removable fabric components. Specialized furniture covers can also help keep upholstery clean and protected. For extra padding, especially during long-distance moves, you can add a layer of moving blankets (or clothes) underneath the plastic wrap. Be careful not to use overly thick or dark blankets directly on light-colored fabrics to avoid dye transfer or staining.

Protecting Glass and Mirrors

Glass and mirrors are fragile and need thorough padding to prevent shattering. Start by using painter’s tape to create an “X” across the glass surface — this won’t stop breakage but can help keep shattered pieces in place if an accident occurs. Wrap the glass in a bubble pack or foam padding, paying special attention to corners and edges. For mirrors, consider using mirror boxes, which are specifically designed to provide a snug and secure fit. Always transport glass and mirrors upright, never flat, to reduce the chance of breakage.

The last thing you need while moving is to trip over a rogue shoebox or awkwardly navigate around a coffee table while balancing a heavy dresser. Walk through your entire route, from the room you’re moving furniture out of all the way to the moving truck. Remove obstacles, prop doors open and secure any rugs or mats that could become tripping hazards. If you’re dealing with tight corners or narrow doorways, consider removing doors from their hinges to give yourself a few extra inches of space.

Using the right equipment makes all the difference when it comes to moving furniture safely. Here's what to have on hand:

• Furniture dollies: These flat, wheeled platforms make it easy to move heavy items like dressers, cabinets and appliances.
• Moving straps: Also known as lifting straps, these distribute weight more evenly and give you better leverage when lifting heavy items. They’re perfect for large furniture that can’t be disassembled.
• Furniture sliders: Slip these under the legs of heavy furniture to slide pieces across floors without scratching wood, tile or carpet.
• Hand trucks: Ideal for stacked boxes or smaller furniture pieces. Hand trucks are great for rolling loads up and down ramps or through tight spaces.

Once your furniture is packed and ready, securing it properly in the moving truck is the final step to make sure everything arrives safely. Start by loading the heaviest items first (think: sofas, dressers, large appliances). Position them against the back wall of the truck to create a stable base. As you load, distribute weight evenly from side to side to maintain balance. Use straps or ropes to tie down furniture to the truck’s anchor points, preventing items from shifting on the road. Secure delicate and fragile pieces, like glass tabletops and mirrors, in padded boxes and place them upright between heavier, sturdier items. If you disassemble any furniture, keep the pieces together and label them to make reassembly easier. Before closing the truck, do a final check to ensure nothing is loose or at risk of toppling over.

Sometimes, a move involves a bit of a waiting game, whether you’re in between homes, staging a house for sale or simply in need of additional space. Renting a self-storage unit can be a smart solution for keeping your furniture safe in the meantime. Climate-controlled units are especially great at protecting wood, leather and fabric furniture from temperature fluctuations and humidity. Many storage facilities also offer packing supplies like moving blankets, plastic wraps and boxes, making it easier to get your furniture ready for storage. 

Suppose you plan on storing furniture long-term, clean and dry each piece thoroughly before storing them. Stack furniture carefully, keeping heavier items on the bottom and using padding between pieces to prevent scratches. We have plenty of tips on the SmartStop blog about organizing your storage unit and keeping your furniture in mint condition, but feel free to reach out to our customer service team if you have questions!

If you’re ready to find a storage unit, use our Storage Unit Locator to find a nearby facility. Good luck with the move!