Most moving damage happens to furniture: a scratched timber table, a torn couch arm, a cracked glass top, or a long scrape down the hallway wall on the way out. Almost all of it is avoidable. It comes down to measuring before you lift, taking things apart when you should, wrapping properly and moving at a steady pace.
This guide covers how professional removalists move furniture safely, and how you can do the same, whether you’re moving a single couch or a whole house.
Measure everything first
The most common furniture problem on moving day is a piece that won’t fit. A couch wedged in a doorway, a wardrobe that won’t turn the corner on the stairs, or a fridge that’s two centimetres too wide. Measuring first takes ten minutes and saves hours.
| Measure | Why |
|---|---|
| Height, width and depth of large pieces | Including legs, handles and anything that sticks out |
| Every doorway on the route | Measure the actual opening, with the door open |
| Hallways and corners | Long items need room to turn |
| Stairwells and landings | Check the ceiling height on turning landings |
| Lifts | Inside dimensions and the door opening |
| The space at the new home | So you know where each piece will go |
If a piece is close to the limit, plan how it will go through: on its end, on its side, or taken apart. Moving into an apartment? Our guide to moving into a CBD apartment covers lifts and building rules.
Empty and prepare every piece
Furniture is lighter, safer and less likely to be damaged when it’s empty.
- Empty drawers and cupboards. Full drawers make furniture heavy and can crack frames and runners.
- Remove loose parts such as shelves, glass panels, cushions and knobs, and pack them separately.
- Tape or wrap doors and drawers shut so they can’t swing open while the piece is carried.
- Clean and dry everything, so dust and moisture don’t travel with it.
When to take furniture apart
Some furniture moves best in one piece, and some is much safer taken apart. As a rule, if it comes apart easily and was designed to, take it apart.
| Furniture | Usually best |
|---|---|
| Bed frames | Taken apart |
| Dining tables with removable legs | Legs removed |
| Large desks and corner desks | Taken apart where possible |
| Wardrobes | Depends on the design; doors and shelves out at least |
| Couches | In one piece, with removable legs and cushions taken off |
| Solid chests of drawers | In one piece, emptied, drawers secured |
Put the screws, bolts and fittings for each piece in a zip-lock bag, label it, and tape it to the piece or keep them all in one box. Take a quick photo before you start, so putting it back together is easy.
A word on flat-pack furniture: it’s often not designed to be taken apart and rebuilt many times, and joints can weaken each time. If a flat-pack piece is sturdy, moving it whole is often kinder to it.
Wrap and protect every piece
Wrapping is what separates a careful move from a rushed one. Every surface that can be scratched needs a layer between it and everything else.
- Furniture blankets for timber, painted surfaces and anything that scratches.
- Bubble wrap for glass, mirrors and delicate trims.
- Cardboard corners for tables, frames and anything with sharp edges.
- Plastic covers for mattresses and fabric couches, to keep them clean.
Never put tape directly on timber or painted surfaces, because it can lift the finish. Wrap first, then tape the wrapping to itself. Our removalists wrap furniture in padded blankets and strap it in the truck as standard. See our furniture removalists page for how we handle it.
Protect your walls, floors and doorframes
Damage to the home is just as frustrating as damage to the furniture, and in a rental it can cost you part of your bond.
- Cover floors along the route with old rugs, cardboard or floor protectors.
- Pad doorframes and tight corners with blankets.
- Remove doors from their hinges if it gives you the extra space you need.
- Clear the route of rugs, pot plants and anything that can be tripped over.
- Take photos of walls and floors before you start, especially in a rental.
Lifting and carrying safely
Furniture removal is physical work, and most injuries come from lifting the wrong way or trying to do too much alone.
- Lift with your legs, keeping your back straight and the load close to your body.
- Never twist while carrying. Turn with your feet instead.
- Use two people for anything heavy or awkward, and agree on the route before you lift.
- Use the right equipment: a trolley for heavy items, straps for awkward ones.
- Take breaks. Tired people drop things.
Getting through tight doorways and stairs
A couch that won’t go through a doorway straight often will at an angle. Professional movers use a few techniques:
- Stand it on its end and “hook” it around the doorframe.
- Remove the legs to gain a few crucial centimetres.
- Take the door off its hinges if the gap is tight.
- On stairs, the stronger person takes the bottom end, and you move one step at a time.
If a piece truly won’t fit, it’s better to know before moving day. Some items, such as very large couches or solid timber wardrobes, may need a different route, like a window or a balcony, which is a job for professionals.
Loading furniture into the truck
How furniture is loaded matters as much as how it’s carried. Heavy items go in first, against the front wall of the truck. Large flat pieces like mattresses and table tops stand on their sides, and everything is strapped so it can’t shift. Boxes fill the gaps, with heavy boxes underneath and light ones on top.
The aim is that nothing moves when the truck brakes or turns, because movement is what causes scratches and breakages.
Items that need extra care
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Glass-top tables | Remove the glass, wrap it separately and move it upright |
| Mirrors and artwork | Bubble wrap, cardboard corners, and move upright |
| Leather couches | Cover to protect from scratches and dirt |
| Antiques | Extra padding, and consider your own insurance |
| Marble or stone tops | Very heavy and fragile; tell your removalist when you book |
Some items are specialist items in our terms and conditions, including pianos, pool tables and pieces made from marble, glass, stone or mirror. Please mention them when you book, so we can plan properly. Our insurance page explains what is and isn’t covered.
Moving just one or two pieces
Bought a couch on a marketplace, or need a wardrobe moved between homes? You don’t need a full house move. Our furniture pick up and delivery and mini movers services are designed for single items and small loads. Tell us what you’re moving and the access at both ends.
DIY or professional movers?
Moving a few light pieces yourself is often fine. For heavy, valuable or awkward furniture, or a whole house, professional removalists bring the experience, the equipment and the insurance. They also carry the risk of injury, which matters more than most people think. Our guide to choosing a removalist in Melbourne covers what to look for, and our guide to removalist costs explains pricing.
The right tools for the job
| Tool | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| Furniture blankets | Protecting surfaces from scratches and knocks |
| Hand trolley | Moving boxes and heavy items with less lifting |
| Appliance trolley with straps | Fridges, washing machines and tall, heavy pieces |
| Ratchet straps | Securing furniture in the truck |
| Furniture sliders | Moving heavy pieces across floors without lifting |
| Basic toolkit | Taking furniture apart and putting it back together |
Professional removalists bring all of this as standard. If you’re moving a few pieces yourself, a trolley and a few blankets make a big difference.
After the move
Once your furniture is in place, check each piece for damage before the removalists leave, and report anything straight away. Reassemble beds and tables using your bagged screws and photos, and make sure everything is stable and level before it’s used.
Arranging furniture in the new home
Have a floor plan ready, so each piece goes straight into the right room. It saves moving heavy furniture twice.
Furniture moving checklist
- Measure furniture, doorways, hallways, stairs and lifts.
- Empty drawers and remove loose parts.
- Take apart beds, tables and anything designed to come apart; bag and label screws.
- Wrap every piece, and protect corners and glass.
- Protect floors and doorframes along the route.
- Lift with two people for anything heavy, using a trolley.
- Load heavy items first and strap everything in the truck.
