How to Pack Living Room Furniture for a Move

The living room contains some of the most awkward items in any home — large sofas, heavy entertainment units, bookshelves full of books, and fragile electronics. Here is how to prepare each piece for a safe move.

Sofa and Sectional

Standard sofa: The crew wraps the sofa in moving blankets and moves it as a single piece. Your job is to clear the path — make sure the hallway and doorway are wide enough for the sofa to pass through. Measure doorways if you are unsure.

Sectional sofa: Sectionals are disassembled into their individual pieces before moving. The crew handles this, but you can speed things up by separating the pieces yourself before they arrive. Wrap each piece in moving blankets.

Sofa legs: If your sofa has removable legs, take them off before the move. This reduces the height and makes it easier to manoeuvre through doorways. Keep the legs and any hardware in a labelled bag.

Bookshelves

Remove everything from the shelves before the crew arrives. Books, decorative items, and electronics all need to be packed separately. An empty bookshelf is much easier and safer to move.

Flat-pack bookshelves (IKEA-style): Disassemble these before the crew arrives. They are not designed to be moved assembled and can fall apart under the stress of transport. Keep all hardware in a labelled bag.

Solid wood bookshelves: Can usually be moved assembled if they fit through doorways. The crew will wrap them in moving blankets.

Entertainment Unit and TV Stand

Remove all electronics, cables, and items from the unit before the crew arrives. If the unit has glass doors or shelves, remove them and pack them separately wrapped in bubble wrap.

If the unit is flat-pack, disassemble it. Solid wood units can usually be moved assembled.

Television

See our detailed guide on packing electronics. The key points:

• Use the original box if you have it
• If not, wrap in moving blankets and transport upright
• Never lay a flat screen TV face-down
• Label the box or wrapped TV: FRAGILE — TV — KEEP UPRIGHT

Coffee Table and Side Tables

Glass-top tables: Remove the glass top and wrap it separately in bubble wrap and moving blankets. Label it FRAGILE — GLASS — DO NOT LAY FLAT.

Solid wood tables: The crew wraps them in moving blankets. Remove any items from shelves or drawers.

Lamps and Light Fixtures

Remove lampshades and pack them separately — they are easily crushed. Wrap each shade in packing paper and place in a box with cushioning. The lamp base can be wrapped in moving blankets.

Rugs

Roll rugs tightly and secure with rope or packing tape. Large rugs can be wrapped in moving blankets or plastic wrap. Label each rug with the room it came from.

Artwork and Wall Decorations

Remove all artwork and wall decorations before moving day. Wrap each piece in bubble wrap and place in a box or between two pieces of cardboard. Label FRAGILE.

What the Crew Handles

4 You Moving provides moving blankets at no charge and shrink wrap at $50/roll or $25 partial. The crew will wrap all furniture, disassemble sectionals, and handle heavy items with dollies and furniture sliders.

Ready to Move?

Get a free quote for your Metro Vancouver move, or call 778-200-8825. We serve all of Metro Vancouver and surrounding areas, 7 days a week.