4 Furniture Packing Mistakes to Avoid

Moving can be complicated enough without any crises brought on by mistakes such as overlooked logistical needs. Whether you plan to complete most of the work yourself or not, good planning is essential. This is true not only when packing small, fragile items, but also when loading large pieces such as furniture.

Mistakes in furniture packing can be especially harmful since these items could be large enough to damage smaller belongings. Large items can even cause injury, especially if you don't have enough people for the loading and unloading process. Here are some mistakes to avoid when packing your furniture for a move.

Mistake 1: Thinking Non-Fragile Items Don't Need Padding

When you prepare large pieces for loading, you have to consider two things: whether or not the item will be damaged and whether or not it will damage anything else. In some cases, a piece of furniture may not be very fragile, yet it may still need padding. For instance, if the piece has sharp corners, it could scratch something else in the truck while in transit.

Furniture pads or blankets and shrink wrap can be invaluable for packing furniture, whether it's fragile or not. You can also use materials like pool noodles to cushion edges and corners of furniture.

Mistake 2: Packing Items That Won't Fit Through Your New Door

Sometimes, a large piece of furniture may not fit into your new home. Whether that's because of a narrow staircase, an awkwardly positioned iron railing, or a tight corner, this can make for a very awkward situation. You don't want to pack your furniture up and haul it across the country just to find out that it won't fit.

Take measurements of the doorway at your new home (or ask someone on site to do it) and take photos of the entire entryway, including any stairs or railings that could block access. Show the photos and measurements to your moving professionals for a professional opinion on whether the furniture will likely fit or not.

Mistake 3: Not Planning for the Unloading Stage  

If you have a hard time getting the item into the truck, you may have a hard time getting it out safely as well. This can be an issue especially if you're DIYing a long-distance move. Your friends who are there to help you load most likely won't be there at the other end.

When loading any large pieces of furniture, take thought for these potential issues:

• The number of people you'll need to get the item out again

• Any tools and equipment you'll need for unloading (such as furniture dollies)

• Whether the item will be more difficult to unload than to load

• Whether or not the item may shift in transit

To be on the safe side, consider hiring professional movers at least for your large pieces of furniture, especially if you don't have volunteers at the other end to help you unload.

Mistake 4: Not Hiring Professional Movers When You Need Them

Some moves are good DIY territory. If you have a minimalist life, very few large items to move, and no kids, you may be able to drive the truck and do all the hauling yourself. But if you have items like a piano, a grandfather clock, or other delicate and difficult-to-handle pieces, paying for professional delivery for these furniture items is definitely worth the cost.

 In some situations, you may even be able to haul most of the items yourself and only pay for delivery on the most valuable or sensitive furniture items.

These mistakes show how poor planning or techniques can cause problems at any point during the moving process. Hiring a professional moving company can help you smooth over any possible issues and give you the tools and manpower needed to handle any problems that arise.

For more information on the ideal moving process for furniture and how we can help you achieve it, get in touch with Superior Economy Moving.