How to Move Furniture Without Damaging Your Home - Livingetc Feature

Moving furniture is one of the most physically demanding parts of relocating—and one of the easiest ways to accidentally scratch a hardwood floor, dent a wall, or scuff a doorframe. A few common-sense precautions can prevent these costly mistakes, whether you're working with professionals or doing it yourself.

Cool Hand Movers was recently featured in Livingetc’s guide to moving furniture without damaging your home, alongside other experts offering straightforward strategies to minimize risk. The takeaway? A little patience and preparation go a long way.

Here are the core tips we stand behind.

1. Don’t Drag Furniture

Dragging heavy furniture—especially pieces with sharp or uneven bases—can wreak havoc on flooring. Hardwood, tile, and even some low-pile carpets can be damaged by legs or corners scraping against the surface.

What to do instead:

• Use furniture sliders underneath items to reduce friction and protect the floor.

• Lift and carry whenever possible, even if only a few inches.

• For heavier pieces, use a dolly or team lift to move items without direct contact with the floor.

Dragging may feel like the path of least resistance, but it’s the fastest way to leave behind permanent marks—especially during tight turns or through doorways.

2. Wrap Furniture with Blankets or Stretch Wrap

When you're moving furniture through narrow hallways or staircases, even one wrong turn can result in chipped corners or scratched paint. Wrapping furniture in moving blankets or thick padding adds an essential buffer that protects both your belongings and your home.

Good candidates for blanket-wrapping:

• Bookshelves and dressers

• Desks with sharp corners

• Sofas and chairs

• Large mirrors or artwork (paired with corner protectors)

For extra protection, secure the blanket in place with stretch wrap or packing tape. This prevents slipping during the move and keeps everything intact during loading.

3. Don’t Rush the Move

It might seem obvious, but it’s one of the most common causes of damage. When people are in a hurry, they’re more likely to misjudge space, skip protective steps, or force furniture through tight openings. All of these increase the chance of something getting scratched, dinged, or worse.

Cool Hand’s owner, Matt Graber, echoed this in Livingetc:

“More important than laying down floor protection when you are moving a piece of furniture is paying attention to what you are doing and just being careful.”

That starts with slowing down and making a clear plan for each large item before it moves. Ask:

• Do we have enough people to lift this safely?

• Is the path to the truck clear?

• Should we remove doors or disassemble furniture first?

Taking an extra few minutes to plan can save hours in repairs later.

Bonus Tips to Protect Your Space During a Move

These additional techniques can help safeguard your home and streamline the moving process:

• Measure First: Always check furniture dimensions against hallway widths, doorways, and stairwells before moving anything. This helps you avoid getting stuck midway through a turn.

• Clear the Path: Remove rugs, boxes, or other trip hazards from walkways. Give yourself plenty of space to maneuver—especially with bulky items.