How to Disassemble Furniture

U.Santini worker taking a picture of a book shelf

Disassembling furniture is a common concern for many during a move. At U.Santini Moving & Storage, we’re here to guide you through the process and ensure everything goes smoothly. One of the most important steps is to carefully disassemble your furniture, following manufacturer guidelines if available, to prevent damage. Keeping all the parts together is equally crucial. You’ll want to store screws, bolts, and other small components in labeled bags and tape them directly to the furniture piece or keep them in a designated box to avoid misplacement. Once your furniture is disassembled, it becomes significantly easier to transport through doorways, down staircases, and into moving vehicles. With proper preparation, moving day can be much more efficient and less stressful. Below, we’ve provided valuable information for those moving in New York City and surrounding areas about how to disassemble furniture.

Do Movers Disassemble Furniture?

Have you asked yourself, “Do moving companies disassemble furniture?” In many cases, professional moving companies offer furniture disassembly as part of their service collection. However, taking apart your furniture may be easy enough to make a DIY project, but only if you feel confident in your ability to perform this task. Prior experience disassembling furniture is useful and may save your walls and furniture from scuffs, breaks, and other damage while preventing potential injuries. If you have doubts about taking apart your furniture yourself or with friends or family for help, then we recommend leaving this moving task to professionals. U.Santini Moving & Storage is a family-owned and -run local moving company and an excellent resource for guidance when preparing to move. We’ll gladly provide seasoned insight about furniture disassembly to ensure your possessions and property stay in the best possible condition.

Do You Have to Disassemble Furniture for Movers?

Furniture disassembly in advance makes moving quicker and easier and helps prevent damage to your old and new homes. You don’t want to leave behind knocks and scratches on your former apartment’s walls and floor, nor do you want to damage your new living space. Some moving companies will disassemble your furniture if requested, but you may have an easy enough time taking apart your bed frame and other cumbersome items yourself or with help. However, movers may include disassembling furniture as part of their services with a flat fee for all tasks, while others may charge an additional amount for this service.

Preparing to Disassemble Your Furniture

Before you begin taking apart your furniture, there are a few key things to consider. Start by asking yourself questions like, “Should I bring all of my large furniture along? Will the doorways I need to move through be wide enough? Do I have the right tools, or where can I find them?” Thinking through these questions can make the process of disassembling furniture much easier. To get ready, U.Santini Moving & Storage has provided some additional tips to keep in mind:

Take measurements of furniture or items before taking them apart to ensure they’ll fit through doorways and into the intended space at your new location.
Grab a few essentials, including resealable bags or small containers to store screws and tiny parts securely. You may also need a screwdriver, a wrench, and some markers or labels for organization. Don’t forget to include packing materials and moving blankets to keep everything protected.
Check the instruction manuals that came with your furniture for guidance on how to disassemble the pieces.
Make a plan to organize the parts from anything you disassemble. Create a list of all the components as you take the item apart. Label everything clearly and store smaller pieces together in a container or zip-top bag to ensure you know where each part belongs.

Helpful Tips for Taking Apart Various Furniture Types

Several everyday furniture pieces may end up on your list for disassembly before transitioning to a new space. However, not all furniture is built the same, and there isn’t a universal method for taking them apart. U.Santini Moving & Storage recommends following our general guide below to help you understand what might be involved when disassembling typical furniture items for your move:

Loveseats, Sofas, or Couches

For these furniture items, you may need to break down certain components while other pieces stay together. A few tips for sofa, couch, and loveseat disassembly include the following:

Remove any loose cushions or covers and place them in a box for safe transport.
Detach legs, armrests, or other removable pieces if possible.
Use moving blankets to wrap and protect these parts during the move.

Display or China Cabinets

These pieces can be heavy and easily susceptible to damage, so careful disassembly is necessary. Please follow the tips below to keep your cabinet and yourself safe:

Carefully wrap all fragile items like glassware, dishes, and decorative pieces individually using packing paper or bubble wrap.
Take out the drawers and remove the cabinet doors, then cover them securely with moving blankets.
For larger cabinets, check if the top and bottom sections can be detached to make transportation more manageable.
Use moving blankets to protect the larger parts before moving them.

Tables or Desks

Taking apart a table or desk helps you navigate hallways and doorways more easily, and you’ll have an easier time loading the pieces into a vehicle. The steps below will help you make the process go more smoothly:

Start by clearing out all the drawers from your desk or table and setting them aside.
Take out any glass components. Wrap them securely in bubble wrap or packing paper, then place them safely in a box.
If the desk or table is heavy, use a screwdriver to detach the legs or other removable parts.
Wrap the larger pieces in a moving blanket to protect them during transport.

Beds

For beds, you can make the disassembly process easier by following the tips below:

Strip the bed of all linens, including sheets, comforters, pillows, and the mattress. Pack these items individually.
Remove any drawers attached to the bed and pack their contents in a separate box.
Detach the headboard and sideboards by unscrewing them carefully.
Break down the bed frame into as many individual pieces as possible.
Wrap larger parts in furniture blankets for protection and use bubble wrap for smaller or delicate components.

Wardrobes and Dressers

Keeping your dresser or wardrobe in top condition during a move can be easier after taking it apart. The following steps will help you get the best results:

Clear out all drawers, cabinets, and shelves completely.
Wrap them in moving blankets, especially if they include glass, and pack these items separately in labeled boxes.
Take off or unscrew any attached doors and set them aside.
Use furniture blankets to cover the larger pieces for added protection.

U.Santini Moving & Storage Is Ready to Move You

Trust U.Santini Moving & Storage with all your moving needs in New York City and surrounding areas. Our comprehensive service collection includes local moving, packing, storage, estate moving, and much more. Our fourth-generation business has assisted residents since 1930 and offers a white-glove service experience. Get in touch with us today for a free moving quote.