Modular pieces can make moving easier
Furniture designed in sections tends to move well. A sectional sofa separates into parts that fit through narrow doors, and shelving units often split into smaller cases. The trade-off is that you have many parts, a lot of hardware and a rebuild on the other side. A bit of planning keeps that trade-off in your favor.
Start with a plan, a few weeks ahead if you can
Decide which pieces are going and which are not. A move is a good moment to ask whether each item still fits your life, and the thinking in downsizing a home applies even if you are not downsizing. Moving a piece costs time and money, and furniture that no longer fits the new layout may be better sold or donated.
Then check the new place:
- Measure doorways, stairs, corridors and lifts at the destination. The article on delivery access explains how to judge whether bulky items will pass.
- Sketch the new rooms using your measured floor plan, and place modules on paper first. Remember to allow for traffic flow.
- Note where the walls can take fixings for tall units, since you may need different anchors in the new home.
If you are renting out the old place or moving to temporary housing, you may want to leave some items assembled or put others into storage, which is covered in the article on storing modular pieces.
What to take apart and what to leave
Not everything needs dismantling. A general rule:
Often worth taking apart:
- Large wardrobes and tall bookcases, which are awkward to carry and vulnerable to racking.
- Beds and desks with large frames.
- Sectional sofas, separated into their modules.
- Anything that will not fit through a door as built.
Often fine to move assembled:
- Small bookcases and cube storage with sturdy joints.
- Drawer chests, with drawers removed and carried separately.
- Pieces that were glued, or whose manual does not intend disassembly.
Particleboard and MDF joints wear when taken apart repeatedly. Each cycle can loosen the holes, so if a piece is solidly built and fits through doors, carrying it whole may be gentler on it. The behavior of engineered wood is the reason. Follow the maker’s guidance where it exists.
Document as you disassemble
Before the first screw comes out, photograph the piece and label the parts. The routine described in the article on labeling and photographing parts takes a few minutes and avoids a lot of guesswork. At a minimum:
- Photograph the assembled piece and key joints.
- Tape a code on every panel.
- Bag hardware by piece and tape the bag to its panel or put it in a clearly marked “hardware” box.
- Keep the original instructions with the hardware.
Packing materials
Panels are fairly strong flat, but edges and corners are fragile. Useful supplies include:
- Moving blankets or old duvets for wrapping.
- Corner protectors, or folded cardboard.
- Stretch film, used with care. It can stick to some finishes, so place a layer of paper or cloth underneath.
- Bubble wrap or foam for glass, mirrors and shelves.
- Strong boxes for hardware and small parts.
- Strapping or tape to hold stacked panels together.
Pack panels flat and stand them on their long edge if possible, to avoid bowing. Keep similar-sized panels together so that smaller ones do not sit between large ones where they can be crushed. Do not stack heavy items on thin back panels. Keep fabric modules in covers or bags away from damp, and see the notes on upholstery fabric and removable covers if your sofa has removable parts.
Loading and transit
When loading a van, put heavy flat panels against the wall of the cargo area, fastened so they cannot slide. Keep furniture off the floor if you can, as water or dirt may enter. Avoid having panels sit in direct sun or a very hot or very cold space for long periods, because heat and humidity can affect finishes and glue (see sunlight damage). If you use a moving company, tell them which parts are fragile and ask about how they handle disassembled pieces. Check what the insurance or valuation actually covers; terms vary.
Label each box with the room it goes to and the name of the piece, for example “Bedroom, wardrobe, doors.” A box labeled only “hardware” will be a mystery after a long day.
At the new home
Unpack in the room where each piece will go. Check for damage right away and take photographs if anything is broken, since claims often need prompt notice. Clear the floor and protect it, as covered in the discussion of floor protectors, before dragging heavy cases.
Rebuild in a sensible order: the biggest or most structural pieces first, the ones that block access earlier. Use your photos in reverse, and fit fasteners loosely before tightening. Check the frame is square and level, then follow the general order in the walkthrough for assembly. Reinstall wall anchors at the new home using fixings suited to the new walls, with the maker’s guidance, and do not reuse holes or anchors from the old home without checking they are right.
Avoiding common problems
- Missing hardware. Use bags and a single hardware box. Buy spares where possible.
- Chipped edges. Wrap corners and keep panels from rubbing.
- Stripped holes. Use a hand screwdriver.
- Surprises at the door. Measure in advance.
- Rushing. Allow extra time for reassembly; exhausted people make errors.
Keep in mind that a move is a chance to reconfigure. You might find that the modules fit the new space best in a different layout, which links to the idea of reconfiguring furniture without starting from scratch.