Moving to a new home across the country is a significant undertaking, and transporting your furniture safely is a key concern. Even the sturdiest furniture can be vulnerable during a long-distance move. However, with careful planning, the right approach, and a bit of know-how, transporting your furniture across the country can be a stress-free experience. This guide provides expert tips and strategies for ensuring your furniture arrives at your new home in perfect condition.
A man and woman are unloading a loveseat from the back of a moving truck after a long-distance move. The man is outside of the truck, and the woman is still in the truck. There are boxes and chairs around them.
Selecting the Best Furniture Transport Strategy
The method you choose to transport your furniture will significantly influence how you should prepare. Factors to consider include the volume of furniture, your budget, and the amount of effort you’re willing to invest.
Full-Service Moving Companies
Opting for a full-service moving company is a popular choice, especially if you’re moving a large volume of furniture, including bulky or delicate items like pianos. These companies specialize in long-distance furniture transport and handle everything from packing and loading to transportation and unloading. While convenient, this service can be expensive, and it’s worth noting that damage claims are not uncommon. Furniture may be loaded and unloaded multiple times during transit, sometimes being combined with other shipments, increasing the risk of damage. If you choose this option, ensure you purchase moving insurance to protect yourself against potential losses.
A man with a moving company is getting a woman to sign a bill of lading in front of a moving truck that still has some furniture and boxes on it.
Freight Shipping Options for Furniture
Another viable option for transporting furniture across country is using a freight shipping company. You’ll typically have two main choices: Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and Full Truckload (FTL) shipping. The best option for you will depend on the scale and urgency of your furniture transport needs.
- LTL Shipping: LTL shipping is ideal when you’re transporting a smaller amount of furniture that doesn’t require a full truck. However, LTL shipments often involve multiple transfers between trucks, which can increase transit times and the potential for damage. This is a more economical option if you have fewer items and are flexible with delivery timelines.
- FTL Shipping: FTL shipping involves dedicating an entire truck to your furniture. This is generally faster and safer as your furniture remains on the same truck throughout the journey, minimizing handling and reducing the risk of damage. FTL is the preferred choice for large, delicate, or high-value furniture loads, especially when time is of the essence, though it comes at a higher cost.
When considering freight options, explore both ground and air freight. Ground freight is generally more cost-effective and suitable for most furniture transport needs. Air freight is significantly faster but much more expensive and typically only used for extremely valuable or time-sensitive items – which is rarely the case for household furniture.
A family of four is carrying things out of their home to load into a PODS portable moving container in their driveway.
Portable Moving and Storage Containers for Furniture Relocation
Portable moving and storage containers offer a flexible and often more secure method for long-distance furniture transport. These containers provide a combined solution for both moving and temporary storage, offering significant advantages:
- Flexibility and Convenience: You can have a container delivered to your home, load it at your own pace, and then have it transported to your new destination. If needed, you can store the container at a secure facility or keep it on your property, providing flexibility in loading and unloading schedules.
- Enhanced Control and Security: You are in charge of loading your furniture, allowing you to ensure items are packed and secured to your standards. This self-loading approach can significantly reduce the risk of damage compared to traditional moving services where items are handled by multiple teams. Statistics from the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) indicate that companies like PODS, specializing in portable containers, experience considerably fewer damage claims than the full-service moving industry.
- Ideal for Various Furniture Quantities: Whether you’re moving a few key pieces or an entire household of furniture, there are container sizes to suit different needs. For smaller furniture moves, an 8-foot container can be particularly efficient.
Hybrid Moving: Combining Portable Containers with Professional Loading Help
For a balance of control and convenience, consider a hybrid approach. You can utilize portable moving containers for the transport and storage benefits they offer, and then hire professional packing and loading services to handle the physical labor. Many companies specialize in assisting with loading portable containers and have expertise in maximizing space and securing furniture for long-distance transport. This option allows you to customize your move, getting professional help with the heavy lifting while maintaining control over packing quality and reducing damage risks associated with multiple handling.
Essential Pre-Move Planning for Furniture Transport
Regardless of your chosen transport method, thorough pre-move planning is crucial for successful furniture transport.
Before you even begin packing, take inventory of all furniture you plan to move. This list will be helpful for:
- Space Planning: Ensure your furniture will fit comfortably in your new home, especially if you’re downsizing. Measure larger pieces and compare them to your new floor plan.
- Moving Quotes: Provide an accurate inventory to moving companies or freight providers for more precise cost estimates.
- Insurance Purposes: A detailed inventory is essential for any insurance claims in case of damage or loss during transport.
Question: How do I effectively transport a large amount of furniture across the country?
Answer: The key to transporting a lot of furniture across country lies in meticulous planning. Moving furniture long distances can seem daunting, but with proper preparation and organization, it becomes significantly more manageable. Creating detailed lists, taking inventory, and carefully considering your transport options are the cornerstones of a smooth furniture move.
DIY Furniture Packing and Protection Tips
If you’re opting for a DIY approach to packing your furniture for long-distance transport, careful packing is paramount.
Visualize how each piece of furniture will fit into your moving container or truck. Think about utilizing space efficiently and creating a compact, secure load.
Packing Large Furniture Items
Effective packing of large furniture is like playing Tetris – maximizing space and ensuring stability. Before loading anything, mentally arrange your larger items – sofas, tables, bookcases, etc. Identify negative spaces within and around these items. The goal is to fill these spaces to create a dense, secure load that minimizes movement during transit.
Always aim for even weight distribution when loading your moving container or truck. Gather ample packing supplies: moving blankets and plastic wrap are essential for protecting furniture during a long move.
Mattresses
Invest in plastic mattress bags to protect mattresses and box springs from dirt, dust, and moisture during the move. Mattresses can also serve as protective “walls” within your moving container, helping to box in other items and prevent shifting.
Bed Frames
Bed frames, whether simple or ornate, can be efficiently packed. Consider disassembling bed frames to save space and make them easier to handle. A good strategy is to place disassembled bed frame parts between the mattress and box spring, creating a snug, space-saving bundle.
Tables
For tables, especially larger dining tables, disassemble them by removing the legs. Wrap each leg individually for protection. Group chairs together, stack them if possible, and secure them with bungee cords to maintain a compact unit.
Mirrors and Glass Surfaces
Protect mirrors and glass tabletops with painter’s tape (masking tape). Create a large “X” across the glass surface to help prevent shattering from vibrations during transport. Avoid using duct tape directly on glass as it can leave residue. For optimal protection, pack mirrors and framed glass items in specialized mirror and picture frame moving boxes.
Sofas and Couches
Remove cushions from sofas and couches. Use these cushions as packing material to fill spaces and protect other items. Wrap sofas in plastic wrap, using the empty space within the wrapped sofa to store lighter, soft items like linens, blankets, or stuffed animals. If possible, stand sofas on end in the moving container, positioning them in a corner for added stability. Ensure they are securely blocked to prevent toppling.
Dressers and Chests of Drawers
Moving dressers and chests of drawers is much easier and safer if you remove the drawers first. Protect corners and finished surfaces by generously wrapping them with moving blankets.
Pro Tip: Once inside the moving container, you can utilize the drawers of dressers and chests as built-in boxes. Fill them with lighter, non-fragile items to maximize space and keep items secure within the furniture piece.
A man and woman are lifting an antique chair. There is a matching sofa to the left of them and several moving boxes to the right of them.
Packing Smaller Furniture Items
Smaller furniture pieces can be strategically used to further secure larger items and fill in gaps within your moving load. However, they also need their own protection.
Chairs
While sturdy armchairs and recliners generally transport well when properly secured, smaller chairs can be prone to shifting and damage if not packed carefully. Stack smaller chairs, wrap them together with moving blankets, and use bungee cords to secure the stack and prevent individual chairs from moving around.
Side Tables
Side tables, often with delicate legs, can fit into spaces between larger furniture pieces. Be mindful of sharp edges, drawer handles, or corners that could rub against other furniture. Depending on size and weight, you may be able to move some side tables yourself. For antique or delicate wooden side tables, handle with extra care to avoid breakage.
Coffee Tables
For coffee tables with glass tops, apply the masking tape “X” for glass protection, similar to mirrors. Bubble cushioning roll is highly recommended for wrapping coffee tables. If the coffee table has drawers, follow the dresser drawer packing strategy. Get assistance – use at least two people to move coffee tables safely.
Question: What is the most affordable time to Transport Furniture Across Country?
Answer: Moving furniture during the off-season, from September through April, is generally more cost-effective. Most people prefer to move during the summer months, leading to higher demand and prices. Similarly, weekdays are typically less expensive than weekends. Avoid moving around holidays when demand surges, and moving company availability may be limited, often resulting in higher prices.
Can furniture be transported with items inside?
Yes! Utilizing the space within furniture is an excellent space-saving strategy. Large pieces like armoires, dressers, and cabinets can double as moving boxes. Fill drawers and cabinet interiors with lighter, non-fragile items like blankets, pillows, towels, and linens. Secure cabinet doors and drawers with plastic wrap or tape to prevent them from opening during transit. This efficient packing hack saves space in your moving container and can reduce the number of boxes needed.
Options for Old Furniture When Moving Long Distance
Moving across the country is an ideal time to declutter and decide what furniture is worth transporting. If you’re downsizing or simply want to refresh your furniture collection, consider these options for unwanted furniture:
- Yard Sale: Host a yard sale to sell furniture and other household items you no longer need. This is a great way to lighten your moving load and earn some extra cash.
- Donation: Donate gently used furniture to local charities like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity. Many organizations offer free furniture pick-up services, making donation convenient and impactful.
Finalizing Your Furniture Move
Transporting furniture across country requires careful planning and execution. Selecting the right furniture transport solution tailored to your needs is essential for a successful move. Visualize how your furniture will be arranged both during transport and in your new home. Secure everything thoroughly, and periodically check the load’s stability if you are driving. Upon arrival, prioritize placing larger furniture pieces in their designated spots in your new home first. This will streamline the unpacking process and save time and effort later. Don’t hesitate to enlist professional packers and loaders for assistance – their expertise can be invaluable. With proper preparation and a strategic approach, transporting your furniture across country can be a smooth and successful part of your relocation journey.
Shannon Jacobs is a Tampa-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to the PODS Blog. She has lived in Atlanta, the Berkshires, and Nashville, but always returns to the warmth of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
