Move Furniture to Center of Room
Proper furniture preparation prevents damage and gives you the workspace you need for professional results. Most people don't move furniture far enough from walls, then struggle to work around obstacles. Here's how to do it right.
Quick Summary
Time needed
1 hour
Cost
$15 (plastic sheeting)
Difficulty
Easy
Why Moving Furniture Properly Matters
The biggest mistake DIYers make is leaving furniture too close to walls. You need room to work, set up ladders safely, and reach ceiling edges without obstacles. Proper furniture prep also protects your belongings from dust, drips, and accidental damage.
Common Mistake: Moving furniture just a foot or two from walls, then constantly working around it. This leads to sloppy edges, unsafe ladder placement, and increased risk of damaging furniture. Clear at least 4 feet.
Professional painters completely empty rooms when possible. When that's not practical, they create a proper workspace by clearing walls completely and protecting everything that stays.
Step-by-Step Moving Process
1. Remove Everything You Can
Start by taking out items that are easy to move. The more you remove, the easier painting becomes.
Items to Remove Completely:
- •Wall art, pictures, mirrors, and decorations
- •Curtains, blinds, and window treatments
- •Small furniture: chairs, side tables, lamps
- •Shelves, floating shelves, and wall-mounted items
- •Area rugs and floor decorations
- •Electronics you can safely move
2. Clear Walls by 4 Feet Minimum
Move larger furniture pieces that can't be removed away from all walls. Four feet is the minimum workspace you need.
Pro Tip: Use furniture sliders under heavy pieces to protect your floors while moving them. For hardwood, use felt-bottom sliders. For carpet, use hard plastic sliders. This prevents scratches and makes moving easier.
Why 4 Feet Matters:
- ✓Room to set up a 6-foot ladder safely
- ✓Space to roll paint without hitting furniture
- ✓Easy access to reach ceiling edges and corners
- ✓Room to move around without knocking things over
3. Group Furniture in the Center
Push all remaining furniture into a tight group in the center of the room. This maximizes your wall workspace and makes it easier to cover everything with one large plastic sheet.
Grouping Strategy:
- •Place smaller items on top of larger furniture
- •Stack chairs on beds or sofas to save space
- •Keep the group as compact as possible
- •Leave a path to access the door if needed
4. Cover Everything with Plastic Sheeting
Use plastic sheeting, not fabric drop cloths, to cover furniture. Plastic provides better protection from paint drips and dust.
Covering Technique:
- Get plastic sheeting large enough to cover your furniture group completely
- Drape it over the entire group so it reaches the floor on all sides
- Secure edges to the floor with painter's tape to keep it in place
- If using multiple sheets, overlap them by at least 6 inches
- Make sure no furniture surfaces are exposed
Important: Don't use old sheets or fabric drop cloths for furniture. Paint can soak through fabric. Use plastic sheeting specifically designed for painting, available at any hardware store for $10-20.
5. Handle Window Treatments Carefully
Remove curtains, blinds, and curtain rods before painting. These are easy to damage and difficult to work around.
Window Treatment Checklist:
- ✓Take down curtains and drapes - wash them if needed
- ✓Remove blinds or shades completely
- ✓Unscrew curtain rods and brackets
- ✓Put all hardware in labeled plastic bags
- ✓Store everything safely until painting is complete
Special Situations
Extremely Heavy Furniture
If you have furniture that's too heavy to move safely (like a full bookcase or armoire), empty it first to reduce weight. For pieces you absolutely cannot move:
- • Pull it away from the wall as much as possible (even 2 feet helps)
- • Cover it completely with plastic sheeting
- • Plan to carefully work around it when painting
- • Consider hiring help if the piece is blocking a large wall section
Built-in Furniture
For built-in bookcases, window seats, or other fixed furniture, remove all items from shelves and cover the entire unit with plastic sheeting. Tape the edges carefully to protect the finish. You'll paint around these, so good coverage is essential.
Electronics and Computers
Paint dust can damage electronics. For computers, TVs, and other sensitive equipment:
- • Remove them from the room entirely if possible
- • If they must stay, cover with plastic and seal all openings
- • Disconnect and label all cables before moving
- • Keep them away from painting areas
Tips for Success
Pro Tip: Take photos of your room setup before moving anything. This helps you remember where everything goes when you're ready to put the room back together.
Pro Tip: Get a helper for moving heavy furniture. It's safer, faster, and reduces the risk of damaging furniture or injuring yourself. Two people can safely move what one person would struggle with.
Pro Tip: Label everything as you remove it. Use painter's tape and a marker to note which wall brackets came from, which room curtains belong to, etc. Your future self will thank you.
Pro Tip: Clean floors after moving furniture and before covering them with drop cloths. This prevents grinding dirt and dust into your flooring while you work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far should I move furniture from walls before painting?
Move furniture at least 4 feet from all walls you'll be painting. This gives you enough space to work comfortably, use ladders safely, and reach ceiling edges without obstacles. For small rooms, 3 feet minimum can work, but 4 feet is ideal.
Do I need to remove all furniture from the room before painting?
No, you don't need to completely empty the room. Remove smaller items and pieces you can easily move to another room. Large, heavy furniture like beds, dressers, and sofas can stay in the room - just move them to the center and cover them with plastic sheeting. However, completely emptying the room does make painting easier if you have the space.
What's the best way to protect furniture while painting?
Use plastic sheeting (not fabric drop cloths) to cover furniture that stays in the room. Plastic provides better protection from paint drips and splatters. Drape it completely over grouped furniture in the center of the room and secure edges with painter's tape to keep it in place. Avoid using old sheets - paint can soak through fabric.
Should I remove pictures and wall decorations before painting?
Yes, remove all wall art, pictures, mirrors, and decorations before painting. This prevents them from getting damaged and allows you to paint the entire wall surface evenly. Take down curtain rods, shelves, and other wall-mounted items too. Store hardware in labeled bags so you can easily find it when reinstalling.
Ready for the Next Step?
With furniture moved and protected, you can now prepare the walls themselves by patching any holes and imperfections.