When it comes to shipping furniture, everyone seeks the safest, fastest, and most affordable method. The key to achieving this lies in how you prepare the shipment and which company you choose for shipping.
Since furniture varies widely in shape, size, and weight, preparing it for shipment is one of the most challenging steps in the process. Proper packaging is essential to ensure your furniture arrives at its destination safely and securely. Plus, efficient packaging can save you money on shipping costs.
Whether you’re a business shipping furniture to customers in another state, or you are an individual sending antique furniture to a loved one, shipping furniture doesn’t have to be stressful.
Some shipping companies offer white-glove services, where a professional team handles every detail of the shipping process from start to finish. However, you can save money by packing your furniture yourself.
When preparing furniture for shipment, consider whether the pieces will change trucks along the way. You should also think about how long the items will remain in storage if that’s necessary.
In this article, we’ll discuss five pro tips for packing furniture for long-distance shipping. You’ll learn about the packing materials you need and where to find them. Plus, you’ll find techniques for securing fragile furniture items to prevent damage during transit.
Furniture Shipping Preparation: 9 Pro Packaging Tips and Tricks
Get the Right Tools and Packing Materials
Preparing furniture for shipping starts with securing the appropriate packing materials. You’ll need boxes or shipping crates to hold smaller components of your furniture.
Also, you’ll need cushioning and protective materials like moving blankets, bubble wrap, furniture pads, pieces of cardboard, and packing peanuts. Additionally, heavy-duty packing tape and shrink wrap are essential for securing items in place.
Gather the necessary tools for disassembling large furniture pieces and sealing shipping boxes.
You can buy high-quality packing supplies from your shipping company. Otherwise, you can find common packing materials at home improvement stores.
Choose the Appropriate Shipping Container
Select a strong container for your furniture shipping. Crating is often the best option for high-value items across long distances.
Make sure the crate is the correct size. A crate that’s too small won’t be able to accommodate your items. On the other hand, one that is too large will allow the items inside to shift around during transit, resulting in chipping or breakage.
Wooden crates can be custom-made to any shape or size for your specific needs.
Pack the crate to capacity and fill any empty spaces with packing peanuts, paper, or other filler content. Secure the items with shrink wrap to keep them intact during transport. This helps prevent the items from moving around and getting damaged.
Inspect, Clean, and Empty the Furniture
Inspect your furniture and note any dents, scratches, or other issues. This helps you identify and appropriately mark pieces requiring special attention during packaging and transport.
If applicable, empty the content of your furniture. For pieces of furniture items like desks, cabinets, and dressers, remove and empty all compartments.
Emptying furniture makes them easier to carry and reduces the risk of damage. For instance, if a fragile or old piece of furniture is filled with stuff, there is a high likelihood that it could crack or break apart during the journey due to extra weight.
Take Apart Large Furniture Items
Disassemble large furniture items like bed frames, tables, and shelves into their smaller parts whenever possible. This makes packing and shipping easier. It also prevents damage.
Disassembled furniture items also take up less space in the truck, reducing shipping costs.
Remember to follow the manufacturer’s disassembly guidelines. Moreover, mark the detached parts clearly to prevent confusion during reassembly. Also, gather the screws, bolts, and other tiny parts in small bags and keep them in labeled containers.
Cushion Fragile Furniture Pieces
Wrap fragile and delicate furniture pieces with cushioning materials. Bubble wrap, soft cloths, and pieces of cardboard are ideal for wrapping glass tabletops, glass shelves, and mirrors. Secure the cushioning materials in place with packing tape. Be sure to label fragile items clearly.
It’s also advisable to cushion large furniture items like sofas, cabinets, and dressers. Use bubble wrap, moving blankets, cardboard, or furniture pads to protect such items. It’s also a good idea to protect furniture edges with edge guards.
Package Smaller Items Separately
Wrap smaller furniture components individually with bubble wrap and secure them with tape.
Pack these items in a shipping crate lined with cushioning material. Fill any excess space inside the box with packing peanuts. This provides extra cushioning during movements.
If you’re packing items of different weights in the same crate, place heavier ones on the bottom and lighter ones on the top. This helps reduce the likelihood of damage and enhances the crate’s stability.
Wax Wooden Furniture Surfaces
Apart from wrapping furniture in cushioning materials, you can try additional protection ideas for certain items. For example, consider waxing the surfaces of wooden furniture for added protection against scratches and abrasions.
Clean and Cover Furniture Going into Storage
If you plan to store your furniture, clean it thoroughly first. For sofas and other upholstery pieces, wrap them with a furniture cover. This protects them from dust and stains. However, it would be helpful to select specialty covers for upholstery furniture items for extra protection.
Choose the appropriate storage condition to protect the furniture from swelling, cracking, or rotting.
Properly Seal Containers and Label Packages Clearly
After packing and securing your furniture in shipping crates, label each crate clearly. Make sure the label includes details like content and delivery address.
If necessary, include special handling instructions, and place the label on multiple sides of the crate. This ensures the shipment is handled with proper care and gets to the right location. Also, seal the crates properly to prevent them from bursting open during transit.
Select the Right Furniture Shipping Service
If you have large or many furniture pieces to ship, consider hiring a shipping company with experience in long-distance furniture transport. While packing the furniture yourself can save you money, letting professionals handle the job may provide extra protection for your items.
Given their experience, they can use packing materials more efficiently and pack your furniture more securely. This saves you money, maximizes the safety of your items, and enables you to protect the environment.
When selecting a shipping company, consider factors such as delivery time, experience with furniture shipping, and cost. Don’t forget to ask about insurance protection coverage.
If you are transporting antique furniture, look for a company that can provide specialized furniture shipping services.
