Guide to relocating solid wood furniture

Could you imagine anything more heartbreaking than seeing a piece of solid wood furniture damaged during your move? People treasure their solid wood heirlooms because of their beauty and the generations of stories they carry with them. Here are some tips on relocating solid wood furniture by furniture movers Chicago to make sure it arrives at its new home safely. Feel free to use our checklist as a guide for taking inventory, labeling, wrapping and protecting your solid wood furniture so it’s ready for the road ahead.

Make sure to take inventory

• Make a list of the wood furniture you’re going to move so you can plan accordingly and allow ample time to disassemble and prepare it. Especially if you need to rely on pool table movers Chicago.
• Take measurements of doorways, hallways, elevators, stairways, and any place your furniture must fit through.

Have the proper tools and equipment ready for relocating your solid wood furniture

• Gather tools needed to remove table legs, tabletops, doors, and bed frames.  See our list of moving tools to have during any type of relocation!
• Use envelopes and plastic sandwich bags (or larger ones if needed) along with a permanent marker to collect and label any nuts, bolts, washers, and furniture pieces you remove.
• Collect items for protection like clothes, linens, padding, and furniture blankets.
• Gather items for securing like twine and packing tape.
• Get a furniture dolly with a strap for larger, heavier items.

Disassemble your furniture as much as possible and don’t forget to label

1. Remove all knobs, handles, casters, finials, and small pieces that can come loose and place them in an envelope and label it. Be sure not to tape anything to the furniture in order to protect the finish.
2. Remove legs if possible because it will make relocating solid wood furniture much more simple.
3. Taking the legs off of the table and wrapping them separately provides added protection for all table parts.
4. Remove shelves. Wrap them in padding and label them.
5. Take apart bed frames. Save all nuts, bolts, and washers in plastic bags labeled with the piece of furniture they belong to along with the tools needed for reassembly.

Secure your solid wood furniture

1. Tie any drawers or cabinets shut with relocating when relocating solid wood furniture. Then place padding between the twine and the wood. Never tape doors or drawers shut.
2. Remove cushions and pillows and place them in clear plastic bags, making sure there are no holes in the bags. Don’t clean upholstery before a move, do it after.
3. When packing solid wood furniture, make sure to wrap and protect it
4. All solid wood furniture should be wrapped well before a move. It is recommended to hire a professional company that regularly handles antiques and solid wood furniture. Consider insuring your antiques.

The three recommended layers of protection when you’re relocating solid wood furniture are:

1. Surface protection, which protects the wood surface from moisture, dust, and dirt.

Look for protection that will allow the wood to breathe. Cloths, linens, and moving blankets are good options. Avoid bubble wrap or plastic coverings that can damage the surface of the wood. Note that we don’t recommend wrapping wood furniture in plastic. But you’ll notice that our delivery drivers may put plastic over blankets to ensure they don’t slip off during transport.

2. Shock protection, which works to absorb any shocks, vibrations, bumps, or impact.

Furniture pads and foam padding should be used to cover every inch of your solid wood furniture for this layer. Be sure to cover corners and handles when relocating solid wood furniture. Wrap your furniture multiple times if need be. Any decorative corners of a delicate piece will require extra foam padding for protection.

3. Outer protection, which includes a hard casing or added padding if possible.

Getting your furniture on the moving truck safely

Make sure you enlist a few helping hands to assist you. Never drag or slide your pieces across the floor. If you want to relocate solid wood furniture like a pro, lift and carry them to avoid damage to the furniture and floor, and to prevent legs loosening or breaking. Place heavy furniture on the moving truck first, and try your best to evenly distribute them in the bed. Tie-down larger items on the truck with twine to prevent them from sliding or falling over. When you are using dollies, carrying furniture through doorways, or placing it near other furniture, you run the risk of gouges, dents, and scratches to your wooden pieces, so make sure that you are the to oversee this process.

Do you want to store your solid wood furniture?

•  In case you need to store your furniture before or during the moving process, remember the following:
• In order to protect wood furniture from drying out and possibly cracking, pre-treat your furniture with furniture polish for added moisture before storing.
• Climate control is best for protecting your wooden pieces. Keep the relative humidity at 35 to 45 percent.
• If storing in the basement or attic before relocating solid wood furniture, invest in a humidifier, dehumidifier, or humidistat.

Make sure there is enough space to keep everything:

• Furniture that you pack in together can get scratches. So avoid piling or stacking boxes or other furniture on top of larger pieces.
• Use a protective covering to prevent scratches or damage but avoid plastic at all costs! That can cause condensation and swelling of the wood. Use cloths, furniture pads, and moving blankets to shield the wood from light, moisture, and dust.
• Don’t opt for storing furniture on the floor of a storage facility. Raise it up on planks or blocks to provide it with more protection in case of flooding.