Essential Tips for How Movers Protect Your Furniture During Relocation

Christen Moore
Jan 2
3 min read

Moving to a new home can be exciting but also stressful, especially when it comes to protecting your furniture. Furniture pieces often carry sentimental value and can be costly to replace. Professional movers use specific techniques and materials to ensure your furniture arrives safely at your new location. Understanding these methods can help you prepare better and feel confident during your move.

Eye-level view of a mover wrapping a wooden dining table with protective blankets — Mover carefully wrapping wooden dining table with blankets

How Movers Prepare Furniture Before Moving

Movers start by assessing each piece of furniture to decide the best way to protect it. This preparation includes:

Disassembling large items such as beds, tables, and shelves to make them easier to handle and reduce the risk of damage.
Wrapping furniture with moving blankets, bubble wrap, or plastic covers to shield surfaces from scratches, dents, and dirt.
Securing loose parts like knobs, legs, and cushions separately to avoid loss or damage during transport.

For example, a large wooden dresser will have its drawers removed and wrapped separately. The dresser itself will be covered with thick blankets and secured with tape or straps.

Materials Movers Use to Protect Furniture

Movers rely on several protective materials tailored to different furniture types:

Moving blankets provide cushioning and prevent scratches on wood, glass, and metal surfaces.
Bubble wrap is ideal for fragile parts like glass tabletops or mirrors.
Plastic wrap keeps cushions and fabric clean and prevents moisture damage.
Cardboard corner protectors shield sharp edges from bumps during loading and unloading.

Using these materials correctly makes a big difference. For instance, bubble wrap alone is not enough for a sofa; it needs blankets and plastic wrap to protect both the frame and upholstery.

Techniques for Safe Loading and Transport

Once furniture is wrapped and ready, movers focus on how to load and transport it safely:

Proper stacking inside the moving truck prevents shifting and collisions. Heavy items go on the bottom, lighter ones on top.
Strapping furniture to the truck walls keeps it from moving during transit.
Using dollies and ramps reduces the risk of dropping or bumping furniture while moving it in and out of the truck.

Movers also avoid placing heavy items on delicate ones. For example, a fragile glass cabinet will never be placed under a heavy dresser.

Close-up view of furniture secured with straps inside a moving truck — Furniture tightly secured with straps inside moving truck

How Movers Handle Special Furniture Pieces

Certain furniture requires extra care due to their size, material, or fragility:

Antique furniture is wrapped with extra padding and sometimes custom crates to prevent damage.
Glass and mirrors are packed with thick bubble wrap and cardboard, then placed upright to avoid breakage.
Upholstered furniture is covered with plastic to protect against dirt and moisture.

Movers often ask clients about any special items to prepare accordingly. For example, a grand piano needs professional disassembly and specialized equipment for moving.