Are you moving soon? Then you might be wondering how to keep your furniture intact during a move. Our Moving team is happy to share all the tips and insights we have gained in practice. We keep it clear and to the point, because you probably just want to know how to arrange a move without damage and protect your furniture well. In this guide you will find all the information you need.

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Moving without damage

You want to transport your furniture safely and move it to its new location without scratches or dents. You may be thinking, “How on earth do I start this?” We get it. Moving can sometimes seem like a mess of boxes, stuff, and stress. However, you can manage this chaos and prevent furniture from getting damaged.

Moving furniture is just plain difficult

I remember a client who wanted to pack all her belongings in one weekend, but she had no plan. She quickly found out that this was too much for such a short time. She decided to adjust her strategy, divided the tasks over several days and used the right packing materials, such as certain foil, such as bubble wrap and stretch foil. Result: she prevented damage and kept the move manageable.

Moving furniture doesn't have to be difficult

Our goal is to guide you from start to finish, so that you know exactly how to protect your furniture. We discuss which moving boxes and protective equipment you need, how to pack fragile items such as crockery and glassware and how to manoeuvre large furniture through narrow corridors. This way you prevent damage and stress on the big day. Move without stress, move well prepared.

Protecting furniture during moving: the must-haves

When moving furniture, you need various materials to protect it from damage. Sometimes people wonder if old blankets and some newspapers will do. In some cases, that works, but professional materials work better. Think of:

Protect your belongings, use the right moving boxes

You don't want to make boxes too heavy. With a maximum of 20 kilos per box, you prevent back pain and damage. Choose sturdy boxes and label them clearly. Boxes and furniture go well together.

Bubble wrap and bubble plastic to protect furniture well

These are your best friends for fragile items, such as dishes and glassware. These materials provide cushioning, so that your fragile objects do not take any blows. This way you can safely move furniture.

Stretch film or wrapping film for heavy furniture

This allows you to pack furniture properly. You prevent doors from swinging open during transport and corners from accidentally hitting something. By packing it properly, you protect furniture. For smaller items, you can also use special wrapping paper or newspapers.

Moving blankets and furniture covers are very useful during the move

Blankets protect furniture with sharp corners or edges. Furniture covers keep dust and moisture out, which is especially useful during rainy days or when you put furniture in storage for a while. If you don't do this? This can cause quite a bit of damage.

Tension straps or ropes for securing heavy items

This will help you secure heavy items in the moving van. This will prevent them from sliding around when you make a turn or brake. This will prevent damage to your belongings and the moving van itself. You can also use this method to secure drawers, for example. Are you having trouble securing the drawers? Then you can also choose to remove them and transport them separately. Transporting items safely is priority number 1 and we all have to overcome obstacles to do so. With the number of tips from Moving, you will certainly succeed in getting your items to their destination safely.

Packing well is important!

These are the basic necessities to protect your belongings well. You can use extra material such as wrapping paper or newspapers to fill empty spaces in boxes. This makes it easier to transport everything safely. Do you really want to move without damage? Then make sure you have enough stock of these must-haves. Packing well for extra protection is very important.

Moving without damage

Moving without damage may seem like a utopia. However, it is often possible if you take the right steps. You can prevent problems by planning smartly and by doing small things that have big consequences. For example, take your furniture apart in time and protect all the screws in a bag that you label. I once saw someone who had lost the legs of his favorite dining table because he had not labeled them. That caused a lot of hassle upon arrival. It is best to use very good packing materials during the move to offer your belongings the best protection.

Transporting fragile items during a move

When moving furniture, it is best to use aids such as a hand truck or furniture rollers. Lift heavy furniture with your legs, not with your back. Also check whether you have cleared the route of obstacles. This way you do not have to zigzag and you reduce the chance of dents in your light walls or damage to your furniture. Pack your favorite things well and do this with extra care, because you do not want your things to be damaged. Look carefully in the hardware stores for which boxes you need for safe transport. Certain boxes are specially designed for certain items. Think for example of a book or wardrobe box.

Loading the moving van

Furthermore, use the correct order in the moving van. Place large furniture first and put smaller items on top. Secure everything with tension straps. This will prevent you from discovering, groaning and moaning, that something has shifted, resulting in scratches and broken items.

Moving without stress

You can plan every step perfectly, but when you are under pressure, things will still go wrong. A smooth move is all about a calm approach. Divide the packing into manageable chunks. For example, pack one room each day, instead of doing everything on the same day. This gives you the space to work carefully and pack fragile items properly.

Moving furniture? Ask for help

Also get help from family, friends or a professional team. Together it is not only more fun, but also more effective. One person can pack while the other takes things to the moving truck. Make it a kind of choreography, where everyone knows what he or she has to do. This cooperation makes the move go much smoother and you prevent unnecessary chaos. Family and friends can often help with the move, which will make everything go faster.

By packing properly you prevent damage

I remember once working in a flat with a tiny lift. We were faced with the challenge of bringing a large cupboard to the fourth floor, but we didn’t panic. We divided the tasks and took our time to neatly dismantle the cupboard. Everything fitted perfectly after that, even though the lift had to go up and down twice. The customer was happy that he hadn’t lost a centimetre of paint on his cupboard.

Protect furniture against stains and moisture

Perhaps you are moving soon in the fall or winter. Then moisture is inevitable. Nobody wants a sofa that suddenly has stains. In that case, it is smart to think about furniture covers or stretch foil. These prevent nasty spots on furniture made of fabric or leather.

The right packing material

Do you have a wooden table that you cherish? Protect it from moisture by wrapping it in bubble wrap and then moving blankets. Wood quickly absorbs moisture, which can lead to warping or unsightly stains. Imagine having difficulty getting to the same table later because it is no longer flat. You don't want that.

Moving without damage is very possible

Also put old cloths at the entrance and provide floor protection if you are afraid of mud or wetness. You can simply put a few plastic covers on the floor. Everyone who comes in will not immediately walk on your new floor with wet shoes. This way you keep everything clean and fresh.

Step-by-step guide to “Protecting furniture when moving”

Here's how to get it all sorted, from start to finish. We've broken it down into five steps so you don't get lost in information.

Step 1 – preparation & inventory

Make a list of large furniture and breakables. Check if they will fit through doors and stairs. This will prevent unpleasant surprises on moving day. Also decide if you need special materials such as bubble wrap, mattress covers or wrapping paper.

Step 2 – Disassemble & Label

Disassemble cabinets or beds where possible. Label every screw and shelf, otherwise you’ll be puzzling later. A friend of mine once simply wrote “brown cabinet doors” on a bag. That helped a lot when putting it back together.

Step 3 – protect & pack

Use stretch film, moving blankets and furniture covers to protect furniture well. Focus on sharp corners or edges. Wrap fragile items with bubble wrap. Fill spaces in boxes with newspaper or special wrapping paper.

Step 4 – Transport & Shipping

Place heavy items at the bottom of the moving van and ensure stability. Tie-down straps prevent sliding. Place lighter boxes above. This keeps everything balanced and prevents damage to your furniture.

Step 5 – Unpack & Check

Take the time to check for damage. Sometimes you only discover a scratch or dent when you unpack everything in peace. Has damage occurred anyway? Take photos for your insurance and contact the moving company or your own team of helpers.

10 tips to prevent damage to your furniture during a move

Here you will find a concise summary. Read them carefully and apply them. Then you will avoid a lot of stress and hassle.

Tip	Description
Tip 1	Check in advance whether you have all the supplies you need.
Tip 2	Label all moving boxes so you know where everything goes.
Tip 3	Pack dishes and breakables carefully. Use plenty of bubble wrap.
Tip 4	Use professional materials such as moving blankets and sturdy tapes.
Tip 5	Please use original packaging for valuables.
Tip 6	Protect floors and walls with floor protection and corner protectors.
Tip 7	Organize the moving van efficiently. Heavy furniture on the bottom, light boxes on top.
Tip 8	Be careful when unpacking, fragile items require extra attention.
Tip 9	Make sure you have a suitable moving team, because many hands make light work.
Tip 10	Consider a professional moving company, because experienced movers take care of worry and planning.

Request a free quote from moving

We hope that with this guide you are ready to move your furniture safely. Damage does not have to happen if you start early, pack smart and pay enough attention to detail. Our Moving team is here to help you. Whether you want us to just advise or take care of your entire move, we are here to make it easier for you.

Request a free quote from Moving now. This way you know immediately where you stand and you can move without stress and without damage.