I’ve shipped furniture twice – once when I moved across the country, once when I sold an antique dresser online. Both times taught me things I wish I’d known beforehand.
Preparation Matters More Than You Think
Measure everything. Not just the overall dimensions, but door widths and tight spots. I had to remove a table leg to get a piece through a doorway, and only realized it at the last moment.
Disassemble what you can. Legs off tables, mirrors off dressers, shelves out of bookcases. Keep the hardware in labeled bags taped to the piece. Future you will be grateful.
Clean the furniture before packing. Dirt and dust can scratch finishes when things shift during transit.
Packing Done Right
Moving blankets are essential for anything with a finished surface. Wrap the entire piece, then secure with stretch wrap or tape that only touches itself, never the furniture.
Bubble wrap goes on corners and edges – the parts most likely to get dinged. For glass or mirrors, make an X with painter’s tape across the surface (helps hold shards if it breaks) then wrap in cardboard.
Don’t leave loose parts. Drawers should be taped closed or removed. Doors need to be secured so they don’t swing open.
Shipping Options
Professional movers: Most expensive but least hassle. They handle everything, usually insure it, and you’re not lifting heavy stuff yourself. Worth it for valuable pieces.
Freight shipping: You pack it, they truck it. Cheaper than full-service movers but you’re responsible for protection. Good for larger items going long distances.
Standard carriers (UPS, FedEx): Works for smaller pieces that fit their size limits. Pack it extremely well – those packages get tossed around.
Insurance and Documentation
Photograph everything before shipping. Every angle, close-ups of any existing damage. If something arrives broken, you’ll need proof of the before condition.
Get insurance that actually covers the replacement value. Standard shipping insurance is often inadequate for real furniture.
When It Arrives
Inspect before signing. Check every surface while the driver is still there. Note any damage on the receipt. Once they leave with a clean signature, your claims get much harder.
