The right tools and equipment make all the difference between an easy move and pure torture. Each of the following tools is essential for moving furniture safely and easily. If you’re hiring professionals, please note that they include most of these items in the cost of the move, so you won’t need to rent or purchase items separately.
To safely move furniture, you will need:
- Furniture/flat dolly: The heavy-duty square, four-wheeled platforms you can place the furniture on will save your back when handling bulky home furnishings. This is especially helpful for moving a couch.
- Hand truck: This two-wheeled dolly with the long back is perfect for stacking and moving large numbers of heavy boxes at a time. You can also strap vertical furniture, like dressers, armoires, and appliances, to the hand truck for easier transport between home and truck.
- Moving straps: Moving straps (also called ratchet straps, lashing straps or tie-downs) are fasteners used to hold down cargo or equipment during transport. It’s essential to strap down all furniture on the truck, to keep it from shifting and breaking something while the truck is on the road.
- Furniture sliders: Little plastic or felt pieces that stick onto (or slide under) the edges of your furniture, save your floor and bottom edges of your furniture from scratching and damage.
- Moving blankets/furniture pads: Furniture moving blankets, or moving pads, are used by movers to wrap and protect furniture and vulnerable objects during a move. Great for protecting furniture, mirrors, and your TV, they are also used to wrap and protect all furniture.
- Movers’ wrap: To secure furniture blankets, invest in a roll of heavy-grade movers’ wrap, similar to (but stronger than) the saran wrap you use to cover your leftovers. Cover furniture with moving blankets, then wrap the entire piece in several layers of movers’ wrap to secure in place.
- Tape: Packing tape is always convenient to have on hand during a move.
- Plastic baggies: Disassembling furniture is our #4 tip for moving furniture. And, after you’ve taken everything apart, you’ll want a safe place to store all the nuts, bolts, and washers. Throw them in a plastic baggie and secure to the piece of furniture they belong to using movers’ wrap. This step will allow for seamless reassembly at your destination.
- Scissors and box cutters: These are helpful for myriad reasons, but are especially handy when cutting movers’ wrap or tape during the packing and unpacking process.
- Gloves: Protect your hands while moving by investing in a pair of moving gloves with gripping power.
- Tools: Before moving day, scope out the tools you’ll need to take apart your furniture.