How to Move and Protect Furniture
Proper furniture removal is critical for flooring success. Empty rooms completely, protect your belongings from dust, and create a clean workspace. This step takes time but prevents damage and makes installation much faster.
Quick Summary
Time needed
4-8 hours
Cost
$200-500 (moving supplies/storage)
Difficulty
Medium
Why Furniture Removal Matters
Flooring installation creates massive amounts of dust and requires moving heavy materials through your home. Furniture in the way slows down the job, increases costs if hiring pros, and risks damage to your belongings. Plus, you can't properly inspect and prepare the subfloor with furniture blocking it.
Pro Tip: This is the perfect time to declutter. Don't move things you don't need back into the room. Donate or sell items you haven't used in a year - you'll have less to move back and more space to enjoy your new floors.
Plan for at least one full day just for moving furniture out, especially for whole-house projects. Rushing this step leads to damaged items and injuries.
Step-by-Step Moving Process
1. Empty Rooms Completely
Remove absolutely everything. Don't leave items thinking you'll work around them - you won't. Clear furniture, rugs, plants, decor, items from closets, and anything on walls.
Don't Forget These Items:
- • Area rugs and rug pads
- • Curtains and rods (may get dusty)
- • Items stored under beds
- • Closet contents and shelving
- • Wall art and mirrors
- • Floor lamps and plants
2. Create an Organization System
Label everything clearly so you know where it goes back. Use colored tape, sticky notes, or a numbering system. Take photos of room layouts before moving furniture to remember placement.
Organization Tip: Use a different colored tape for each room (blue for bedroom, green for living room, etc.). Stick tape on the bottom of furniture and on boxes from that room. This makes putting everything back much faster.
3. Protect Furniture from Dust
Flooring work creates substantial dust. Wrap furniture in moving blankets or plastic sheeting. Pay special attention to upholstered items - dust gets deep into fabric and is hard to remove.
For Wood Furniture:
Moving blankets work well. Secure with tape or plastic wrap. Protects from scratches during moving too.
For Upholstery:
Furniture covers or plastic sheeting wrapped tightly. Seal edges with tape to keep dust out completely.
4. Choose Storage Location
For single-room projects, move furniture to the garage or another closed room. For whole-house projects, consider renting a POD or storage unit - it's worth the peace of mind.
Storage Options:
- •Garage/Basement: Free, but furniture still gets dusty. Good for 1-2 room projects.
- •POD Container: $150-300/month, delivered to driveway. Great for whole house. Furniture stays clean.
- •Storage Unit: $75-200/month depending on size. Requires transporting everything. Climate controlled available.
- •Room-to-Room: Free but inconvenient. You'll need to keep moving things as you progress. Only works for small projects.
5. Move Heavy Items Safely
Don't hurt yourself. Get help for heavy items. Use furniture sliders, dollies, and proper lifting technique. It's worth hiring movers for very heavy pieces like pianos or slate pool tables.
Safety Warning: Lift with your legs, not your back. Get at least one helper for anything over 50 pounds. Take breaks. More injuries happen during furniture moving than actual flooring installation. Don't rush.
Pro Tips for Furniture Moving
Protect Your Floors (Until They're Gone): Use furniture sliders or old blankets under heavy items. Even if you're replacing the floors, you don't want to damage them worse before removal - it makes the job harder.
Disassemble What You Can: Bed frames, tables with removable legs, and shelving units are easier to move in pieces. Label screws and hardware in baggies taped to the furniture.
Create a Clear Path: Remove obstacles from hallways and doorways before starting. Measure doorways to ensure large items will fit. You may need to remove door trim or the door itself.
Take Photos Before Moving: Photograph how furniture is arranged, which cords go where, and any special configurations. Makes setup after flooring much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to empty the room completely?
Yes, absolutely. Even small items can get in the way, collect dust, or get damaged during flooring installation. Empty rooms also make the job faster and safer. The only exception might be built-in furniture that can't be moved.
Should I rent a storage unit or POD?
For whole-house flooring projects, a POD or storage unit is often worth it. They keep furniture clean and protected while giving you workspace. For single rooms, your garage or another room usually works fine. PODs cost $150-300/month and deliver to your driveway.
How do I protect furniture from flooring dust?
Wrap furniture in moving blankets or plastic sheeting. For upholstered pieces, use furniture covers or plastic wrap with tape around the edges. Store in a closed room or garage if possible. Flooring work creates significant dust, especially during removal and cutting.
Can I leave large furniture in adjacent rooms?
Yes, but protect it well with plastic sheeting and close doors between rooms. Dust travels further than you think. Also consider that you'll need pathways to move materials in and out. Heavy items like pianos should stay put if they're not in the work area.
Ready for the Next Step?
With furniture cleared out, you can now set up temporary spaces if you're doing kitchen or bathroom floors.