Two movers wrapping a chair in plastic wrap

So you are planning to move soon. If you are going to DIY part or all of the move, it's important to know exactly how to protect your furniture from damage during transport and storage. But first, you may want to learn about the different kinds of furniture damage that can occur during a move.

Common Types of Furniture Damage

In order to properly protect your furniture during a move, you'll need to know what you're protecting it against. There are some fairly common kinds of furniture damage that can occur during the process of carrying items, transporting them over long distances, and even leaving them exposed to extreme temperatures.

  • Scuffs and Scrapes: Whether it's you or the residential mover carrying your items out of the home, on occasion these items can get scuffed or scratched on sharp corners, doorways, and railings.
  • Cracks and Breaks: Improperly protected glassware and other glass items can break in transit due to jostling in a truck or when being carried if accidentally dropped.
  • Weather Damage: If you are transporting items in the back of a truck with no cap, they can get rained on and develop water damage. Also, the finish on older pieces of wood or more delicate items can be damaged in a hot and humid truck, developing a whitish discoloration.

Protecting Wood Furniture & Delicate Pieces

One of the best ways to protect delicate artwork, glassware lamps and just wood finish furniture is by wrapping it very well before transport. Furniture can be wrapped in heavy moving blankets to protect it from scuffs and scrapes. Glassware and smaller items should be wrapped in newspaper or bubble roll to give it a little extra cushion from jostling during transport.

Preventing Weather Damage to Furniture

If possible, transport your belongings inside a moving van, especially if making a long distance move. This will help protect everything from rain, wind, and some temperature extremes. You should also take the extra step of boxing up smaller items and appliances, and covering mattresses and other furniture inside of plastic or moving blankets.

Protecting Against Cracks & Chipping

Always wrap small glassware items separately, even if packing them in the same box. This extra layer of wrapping material, such as newsprint, will provide a little bit of protection if two items hit each other. You should also use small boxes to avoid overfilling and keep the weight of each box down.

Items, like mirrors, can be wrapped in moving blankets and should be stored horizontally on the side of the moving van. If placed on top, there's the chance it could slip off during transit. If placed on the bottom, there's a chance that the weight of furniture on top of it could cause it to crack.

Ask About a Free Moving Estimate from ALS Van Lines

Our Atlanta, GA moving and storage company has been serving customers since 1994. We are proud to be a Better Business Bureau accredited team, offering a wide range of moving services in the areas of:

  • Residential Moving
  • Commercial Moving
  • ​Storage​

If you would like a little help packing your furniture or transporting it as part of a local and long distance move, give us a call. We'll be happy to set up a free moving estimate with a specialist right away.