How to Disassemble Furniture for a Move

What Tools Do You Need to Disassemble Furniture?

The good news is you don't need any specialized tools to disassemble your furniture. However, it's best to have everything on hand before you begin so you won't need to step out to the hardware store when your bedframe is only halfway done. Here's what you need to disassemble and protect your furniture.

Primary and Essential Tools

These hand tools let you safely remove screws, bolts, and legs from large pieces like beds and dining tables. Gather these items before you begin your project:

• Screwdriver set: Use both flathead and Phillips head drivers to fit different types of screws.
• Allen wrenches: Most modern furniture pieces require these L-shaped keys to loosen internal bolts.
• Rubber mallet: You'll use it to tap stuck joints apart gently without denting wooden frames.
• Pliers: Use these to grip and pull out small nails or staples that hold back panels and fabric covers.

Cushioning and Protective Packing Materials

Protective materials keep your furniture pieces from scratching each other inside the moving truck. When you remove legs or doors, the raw edges become vulnerable to chips and cracks. Wrapping these individual parts keeps them secure during the ride to your new home.

You should have these supplies ready to go:

• Moving blankets: You need moving blankets to cover large wooden surfaces and prevent deep scratches or gouges during the trip.
• Bubble wrap: Use this to protect fragile glass shelves, mirrors, or delicate decorative knobs.
• Plastic wrap: Using plastic wrap helps hold bundles of table legs together and keeps drawers from sliding open during the move.
• Packing tape: Apply this to the outside of your protective layers to keep the blankets and wrap from slipping off.

Supplies To Help You Stay Organized

Organizing your hardware ensures you can rebuild everything correctly at your new home. Basic supplies like storage bags and labels help you securely sort those tiny parts. Use these to keep track of your hardware and furniture parts during the disassembly process:

• Plastic storage bags: Place all screws and bolts for a single item into one bag and tape it to the furniture frame.
• Your smartphone camera: Take clear photos of the furniture from several angles before and during the process to remember where parts go.
• Painter's tape: Stick a piece of this tape on identical wooden panels, like chair legs, to clearly mark which exact side has to face outward.
• Printed moving checklist: Write down every single item you take apart and record exactly how many bags were used to hold its hardware.
• Permanent markers: Clearly label every bag and wrapped bundle with the name of the room and the specific piece of furniture it belongs to.

Which Furniture Should You Disassemble Before Moving?

You should take apart any furniture that is too heavy to carry safely or too large to fit through doorways. For example, if a piece can't turn a tight corner in a hallway, it needs to come apart. We recommend disassembling these common items to save space and prevent damage:

• Large bed frames and headboards
• Dining room tables with removable legs
• Modular sectional sofas
• Tall bookshelves and shelving units
• Oversized desks
• Large wardrobes and armoires

However, there are some items you should keep fully intact. As a rule of thumb, don't take apart objects that are glued together or pieces that may lose their structural strength once you remove the screws. This includes:

• Antique or heirloom furniture: Old pieces often have delicate joints that can splinter or break when you force them apart.
• Glued wooden items: Furniture with parts that are glued together at the factory will break if you try to separate the wood.
• Pieces with proprietary hardware: Avoid items that require special factory tools you no longer own, as you might not find replacements at a local store.
• Complex mechanical or wired items: Recliners and massage chairs have intricate wiring that you could ruin by opening the frame.
• Items you can't confidently rebuild: If you lack the instructions or feel unsure about the process, simply leave the piece whole.
• Upholstered frames: If the fabric is stapled over the bolts, you might tear the material trying to reach the screws inside.

How to Disassemble 6 Types of Furniture: Step-by-Step

Figuring out how to disassemble furniture for a move is often a 2-person task. Large items are awkward and often downright unsafe to manage alone. We recommend asking friends or family to help you with tasks like holding heavy panels steady while you remove the hardware. You should also follow these steps before you take anything apart:

• Lay down moving blankets or cardboard to protect your floors from scratches.
• Take clear photos of the item from every angle for your records and to make reassembly easier.
• Gather all your wrenches and screwdrivers in one spot.
• Clear a wide path, so you have plenty of room to move around.
• Empty drawers and take off loose cushions.

Every piece of furniture requires a different plan. The following sections give you more detailed steps for common items found in your home.

1. Beds and Bed Frames

To take apart a bed frame, you have to clear off the bedding, remove the mattress, and unscrew the side rails from the headboard. Once you detach the main frame pieces, you can pack them flat for safe transport.

1. Clear the linens: Remove all pillows, blankets, and sheets from the bed and pack them neatly in a large box.
2. Move the mattress: Have a partner help with moving the mattress and box spring into protective bags to keep them clean.
3. Remove the slats: Lift out the wooden boards that support the mattress and bundle them together using strong plastic wrap.
4. Unscrew the rails: Use a screwdriver or hex key to loosen the bolts connecting the side rails to the headboard.
5. Secure the hardware: Place all screws and bolts into a plastic bag, and tape it securely to the headboard.

2. Sofas, Couches, and Sectionals

You can take a couch apart to move it by removing the detachable parts. Most sofas have legs that unscrew and cushions that lift right off. For sectionals, you need to locate the metal brackets that lock the seats together. Detaching these parts can even help you fit a bulky couch through a narrow door.

1. Remove all cushions: Take off the back and seat cushions and pack them in large boxes or clean plastic bags.
2. Turn the sofa: Flip the couch onto its back or side to get a clear view of the legs and frame.
3. Unscrew the legs: Turn the legs counterclockwise by hand or use a wrench if they're bolted into the wooden frame.
4. Separate the sections: If you have this type of sofa, lift the pieces upward to unhook the metal connecting brackets that hold the sectional units together.
5. Store your small parts: Put any screws and unbolted legs into a secure plastic bag for safe transport.
6. Protect the fabric: Wrap the entire frame in plastic wrap to keep the upholstery clean and prevent the fabric from tearing.

3. Tables and Desks

To disassemble tables and desks, you usually need to remove the legs from the main surface. Taking these apart is especially helpful when moving a desk through tight corners.

• Clear the surface: Remove all items from the top and take out every drawer before you begin to work on the frame.
• Flip the piece: Place the table upside down on a soft moving blanket to reach the hardware.
• Remove the legs: Use a wrench or screwdriver to loosen the bolts at each corner and pull the legs away safely.
• Remove fragile glass tops: If your table has a glass surface, lift it off and wrap it heavily in bubble wrap.
• Bag the hardware: Put all screws and other small pieces into a plastic bag. Make sure to tape it to the underside of the tabletop.

4. Dressers, Wardrobes, and Bookshelves

To disassemble tall storage items, start by removing everything inside to reduce the weight. Take out the drawers, unhook the adjustable shelves, and take off any glass doors. You rarely need to break down the entire outer frame. Just secure the loose parts so the main shell is safe to move.

1. Empty the unit: Remove all clothes and books, then pack hanging items into tall wardrobe boxes to keep them on hangers.
2. Remove the drawers: Pull every drawer out completely and pack them separately or wrap them closed to keep them from sliding open when you're moving the item.
3. Take down loose shelves: Lift out the adjustable shelves from your bookcases and securely bundle them together with plastic wrap.
4. Unscrew the swinging doors: Use a screwdriver to remove glass or wooden cabinet doors so they don't swing open.
5. Store the shelf pins: Put all the tiny shelf pegs and door hinges into a clear bag so they're easy to find.

5. IKEA and Flat-Pack Furniture

IKEA furniture tends to use fragile particleboard, so you have to remove the joints slowly to avoid cracking them. They also have cam locks and wooden dowels that often loosen or break when you reuse them repeatedly.

1. Find the original manuals: Look up the digital assembly instructions to safely reverse the exact building steps.
2. Take out fragile pieces: Remove all glass shelves and thin back panels first to prevent them from snapping.
3. Turn the cam locks: Gently twist the metal locks counterclockwise with a screwdriver until the heavy panels release.
4. Pull out wooden dowels: Pull the small wooden pegs out with pliers so you avoid widening the holes.
5. Label every piece: Write the part name on a small piece of tape and stick it to the back of each panel.

Keep in mind that some of these items don't reassemble well, and the material may crumble after you remove the original hardware. If a piece feels flimsy, you might want to consider selling or donating it instead of moving it to a new house.

6. Baby Furniture

Safety is the top priority when you learn how to disassemble baby furniture. Items like cribs and changing tables have strict weight limits and balance points. Be sure to check for hidden bolts that keep the structure from wobbling during daily use.

1. Follow the original manual: Read the factory guide closely to safely reverse the exact building steps for your specific item.
2. Take out the mattress: Remove the crib pad and soft bumpers first so you can easily reach the metal base.
3. Unbolt the wooden sides: Use a hex key to detach the front rail and side panels from the main backboard.
4. Keep the original hardware: Store every screw and bolt in a sealed bag. Never substitute hardware with generic replacements for safety reasons.
5. Wrap the painted rails: Cover the loose wooden panels in soft moving pads to protect the finish from chipping.

5 Tips To Protect Disassembled Furniture

Once your furniture is disassembled, the individual parts are more likely to get dented or scratched. To protect your furniture from damaging other items or getting scratched and dented, follow these 5 tips to keep your items in perfect condition during the drive:

1. Cover large panels: Wrap every flat tabletop, headboard, and side panel in thick moving blankets to prevent deep scratches and surface chips.
2. Cushion your fragile items: Use several heavy layers of bubble wrap to protect your delicate glass shelves, large mirrors, and small decorative accents.
3. Secure your protective blankets: Wrap strong packing tape or plastic film tightly around the moving pads, but never let the tape touch the furniture finish.
4. Bundle narrow parts together: Strap or wrap loose table legs, long bed rails, and thin metal poles together securely so they don't roll around inside the moving truck.
5. Store glass upright: Stand all mirrors and glass pieces on their edges in the truck, as laying them flat makes them crack easily.