Moving antique furniture can be challenging. Owners worry about breaking something irreplaceable. After all, you can’t just go online and order a new 19th-century cabinet from IKEA.
In this post, we take a look at what you need to do to move antique furniture without dying of worry. Here’s our advice.
Start With Packing
Antique furniture is notorious for being fragile. It can break incredibly easily, so preparing it for a move is vital.
Start by collecting the materials you’ll need. Make sure that you have plenty of cardboard, bubble wrap, and tape.
If you use plastic to pack your old furniture, make sure that it is acid-free. If it is too acidic, it may damage fabric or cause discolouration.
Then wrap all your antique furniture, paying particular attention to corners, edges and anything that sticks out. If you are getting third-party movers to take care of removal for you, apply plenty of “fragile” labels. Check that they understand what you’re moving and how you want them to move it.
Don’t be afraid to use a lot of masking tape for keeping plastic in place. You can also use various cords and ties, but be careful not to tighten them too much as this can damage the material underneath.
Collect Your Moving Pads
Next, you’ll need to hire or buy some moving pads, also called furniture dollies. As Evo Supplies explains, these are just platforms with castors fitted to the bottom that let them move seamlessly over the floor.
Make sure that you choose dollies with suitable wheels. You need castors that will protect your floors when fully loaded with furniture.
Start Moving The Furniture
Don’t try to move antique furniture yourself. Instead, get a team of people to help you lift items onto dollies. Check that there is a clear access route that you can use to roll furniture out of the house without having to pick it up again.
Of course, you don’t have to do any of this yourself anymore. Today, there are hundreds of moving companies out there with ample experience in moving valuable, heavy objects. Get in touch with them and learn more about their experience.
Make That You Continue To Protect Furniture During Transit
Once you start moving your furniture, you’ll want to make sure that you protect it well during transit. For instance, ensure that you have plenty of blankets to cover it once loaded into the truck. This will prevent dirt from accumulating and protect it from minor impacts.
Next, make sure that you have the proper insurance. If you’re not sure what you require, ask your removal company. They can usually put you in touch with an independent insurer. If not, there are plenty available online. Just contact one to find out more.
Keep It Dry
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that you keep antique furniture dry during the move. Even minimal dampness can damage the material. Avoid storing it in places like the back of trucks, basements and garages.