The Top Moving Mistake That Destroys Furniture

Friedman says you can make your move a better experience for both you and your belongings by breaking down furniture before the big day. “Dismantling furniture before a move is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk and make the entire process more efficient,” he says. “In our experience, a little time spent disassembling upfront can prevent a lot of costly damage on the back end.” Plus, cumbersome pieces can be difficult to navigate around doorways, corners, and stairwells, and disassembled furniture takes up less space in the moving truck.

If you’re not breaking down your furniture before a move, you’re taking a gamble. While moving (no matter how many precautions you take) can cause incidental damage, you’re taking a far greater risk if your furnishings aren’t properly disassembled. “When a fully assembled piece bumps into a wall or door frame, that force is transferred directly to its weakest points, like legs, arms, or joints,” explains Friedman. These pressure points can crack or snap, resulting in irreparable damage.

Furniture Pieces Most Susceptible to Moving-Related Damage

Friedman shares the pieces that you should definitely break down before a move and why.

• Bed frames and headboards: Multiple connection points create multiple opportunities for joints and hardware to loosen and weaken. The good news is these items are typically easy to break down, even if you’re not a pro.
• Dining tables: Table legs can easily snap if tables are left assembled during a move, particularly if they catch on something.
• Dressers and chests: Removing the drawers in heavier items like chests and dressers can help reduce stress and shifting, making them much easier to move safely.
• Sofas and sectionals: Bulky items like sofas and sectionals are difficult to maneuver, which can lead to fabric tears and finish scrapes.
• Mirrors and glass tables: This one likely comes as no surprise. Fragile materials like glass and mirrors are bound to be more vulnerable to move-related damage. Remove glass tops if possible, securely wrap them with moving blankets, then wrap the blankets in stretch wrap. Ensure the edges receive extra cushioning and stick a label on it that says “GLASS FRAGILE.”
• Tall pieces: These pieces can become top-heavy, increasing the risk of tipping. Ensure they’re disassembled and properly secured within the truck.

When You Shouldn’t Break Down Furniture

It’s not always possible or necessary to dismantle furniture prior to a move. “Antique or heirloom pieces can be fragile at the joints, and taking them apart may do more harm than good,” Friedman says. “The same goes for lower-quality particleboard furniture, which often does not hold up well after being disassembled and reassembled.”

Items that aren’t broken down should be properly wrapped in moving blankets secured with stretch wrap to reduce surface damage, he advises. “When furniture cannot be dismantled, the focus needs to shift entirely to protection and stabilization.” Reinforce the corners and edges, since they are most commonly damaged, and try to keep the item upright so the weight is properly distributed.

Should You Dismantle Pieces Yourself?

Determining whether to break down your own furniture or ask a professional to do it likely comes down to a couple of factors, most notably how comfortable you are with the process and the item. While Friedman says basic items like small tables or bed frames are easy enough to handle without involving a professional, heavier items, valuable pieces, and furnishings with more complex setups might require outsourcing.

“Experienced movers know how to take things apart without damaging them and, just as importantly, how to put them back together correctly,” says the moving pro. “A poor reassembly can compromise the integrity of the furniture just as much as a bad move.”

More Tips for Protecting Furniture During a Move

• Gather needed materials: Knowing what supplies you’ll need in advance helps save time and reduce the risk of damage to your belongings, says Friedman. “Using proper materials like moving blankets, stretch wrap, and bubble wrap provides real protection, unlike household items that can tear or shift.”
• Get organized: Haphazard is not the name of the game. Take photos beforehand—particularly of valuable items—so you have a record of their condition, says Friedman. He also suggests having a plan in place for moving day so you know exactly what you’re doing. He advises loading the heaviest items into the truck first to create stability and anchoring everything with straps to prevent movement during the move.
• Label everything: One easy-to-overlook aspect of breaking down furniture is properly labeling each piece as you go. Clearly label all hardware and place the pieces in a zip-top bag. Secure the bag to a piece of the disassembled furniture so you’re ready to set it up as soon as you unload.
• Be safe: “One thing people often overlook is that moving furniture is not just about protecting belongings; it is also about preventing injuries,” says Friedman. “Large, heavy, and awkward pieces can put a lot of strain on your body if they are not handled correctly.” The moving pro suggests taking proper precautions, such as breaking down furniture and using proper lifting techniques, to help protect both you and your belongings.