5 Tips For Moving Antique Furniture
There's so much to think about and take care of when you're moving house that it's often easy to forget about the special treatment some of your furniture might require during the process. Antique furniture in particular needs to be treated with care since it is often more fragile than modern pieces. Of course, it's also almost certain to be irreplaceable.
With that in mind, read on to discover 5 top tips for moving with antique furniture.
1. Get The Right Supplies
You're dealing with rare and valuable furniture, so you'll want to invest in premium packing materials. Make sure you use sturdy moving boxes or crates, plus plenty of bubble wrap and packing tape to keep everything protected. It's also worth investing in acid-free packing paper to ensure nothing is stained, plus furniture pads to protect pressure points.
2. Empty And Disassemble
Before moving your antique furniture, empty anything those pieces might hold to ensure they are lighter to carry and less likely to shift as items move around inside. If any parts can detach themselves, such as legs that can be unscrewed or drawers that come out, it's worth removing these and packing them separately to make sure they don't shift during transit and get damaged. If any part seems weak or loose, make a note of it so you can let your removalists know.
3. Plan Well Ahead
Since antique furniture is likely to be among your most prized possessions, it makes sense to plan their route out of your old home and into your new home. Measure doors and hallways to ensure your furniture will fit through, then ensure a path is fully cleared before you start moving these items.
4. Have Items Appraised and Insured
Though following these tips can greatly reduce the risk of your antique furniture getting damaged, accidents can happen. Though the furniture might be irreplaceable, you can at least ensure you'll be compensated for its loss. Get the items appraised to provide yourself with documented verification of their value and current condition, then ensure they're properly insured.
5. Hire Professional Removalists
Finally, make sure you hire experienced removalists who understand the ins and outs of moving specialty items like antique furniture. They'll be able to provide all the additional advice you need on moving and storage, and professional removalists will also be far less likely to make any damaging mistakes as your furniture is being transported.