Moving can be exciting, but it can also feel like an overwhelming amount of work. Packing and moving furniture in Oman is one of the biggest components of any move. If you gather the right materials and wrap your pieces carefully, you can make sure they survive the move in great shape. Just make sure to break down larger items before packing, if possible. You’ll also want to take extra care with fragile items by using extra layers of protection.
5 Steps to packing furniture
1. Gather Packing Supplies
It’s a common moving myth that all you need to pack and protect your belongings are some cardboard boxes, packing tape, and moving blankets. While these items will work, investing in a few more supplies will ensure your move to a new home or relocation to a storage facility is flawless. Head to your local hardware store or shop on Amazon to purchase the following additional items for your furniture:
- Bubble Wrap
- Sofa and mattress covers
- Plastic stretch wrap
- Sealable plastic bags
- Corrugated cardboard sheets
2. Prep Furniture for Packing
Before you pack anything, take the time to thoroughly clean and dust your furniture. Dust and other debris can scratch hard surfaces during the moving process. Cleaning the furniture before you move also means you won’t drag any unnecessary grime into your new home.
Take a few minutes to remove any knobs, casters, or pulls from your furniture. Take the drawers out of dressers and desks and pack other items inside them. This gives you extra storage space while lightening up heavy furniture for the move.
3. Dismantle Furniture in Advance
Whenever possible, dismantle your furniture completely. Remove the legs from tables and couches. Take bed frames completely apart. Remove cushions. In short, if a piece of furniture can be safely dismantled, do it. This will make the furniture easier to move and will help prevent damage caused by brushing up against walls or door frames. It will also make it easier to pack your moving truck. Keep the following tips in mind:
- Always use an owner’s manual, if available, to determine how to dismantle furniture correctly.
- Use sealable plastic bags to hold the screws and other hardware for each piece of furniture. Tape the bag securely to the item to prevent losing any hardware.
- If a piece of furniture has a lot of pieces, use masking tape and a marker to note where each piece goes. This will go a long way to protect your furniture.
- Go easy with the drill when dismantling and reassembling. You don’t want to risk stripping the screws. Make sure you lower the torque setting and use the correct size drill bit for the job.
- Consider dismantling furniture the day before to save time on moving day.
4. Learn How to Wrap Furniture Correctly
Bubble wrap and plastic sheeting are two of the best tools at your disposal when it comes to safely moving your furniture. Use bubble wrap to protect delicate wood pieces. Plastic wrap or specially designed plastic sofa covers should be used to protect your upholstered items. In a pinch, old blankets or packing blankets will work. It is also a good idea to use corrugated cardboard sheets in between wooden pieces. This adds extra protection and helps prevent gouges or scratches while furniture is on the truck.
Bubble Wrap is also ideal for protecting glass tabletops and mirrors. Consider taping a giant “X” on the item first using painter’s tape so, if it does break, it will be less likely to shatter. Wrap the glass or mirror completely, paying special attention to the corners. Finish by placing the item between two sheets of corrugated cardboard.
5. Have a Placement Plan
How you place your items in the moving truck is equally important; take the time to plan. This will make things easier for you and your movers.
- Start out by creating a wall of boxes across the backend of the truck. Boxes should be the same size, sealed, and tightly packed to prevent slipping. Choose your heaviest boxes, which shouldn’t contain fragile items, for this section. It will bring added stability.
