How to Pack and Move a Dining Room Table

In today’s busy world, many people don’t use their formal dining room except for special occasions, holiday gatherings or to use as a place for additional storage.  The kitchen has taken over as the dining or gathering area in a home. They might not be used as much, but, the dining room table and chairs are still treasured pieces of furniture. It is very important to take extra time to properly prepare and move dining room furniture in order to protect it from damage and costly repairs.  Before starting to pack the dining room, it is recommended to take a picture of the dining room table from all angles. This documents the item and any existing damage and provides proof if there is damage made during the move.

Tips for Packing a Dining Room Table

Below are nine tips for preparing dining room furniture for moving day. Make sure that you have moving and packing supplies such as cardboard, bubble wrap and packing tape on hand for this part of the project.

1. Clean/dust the furniture before preparing for storage.
2. To make the transport of the table easier, unbolt and unscrew the legs from the table. Tape the hardware in a re-sealable bag and attach it to the bottom of the table or on one of the legs. Label the bag with its contents.
3. If you cannot remove the table legs, wrap them in bubble wrap for protection on moving day.
4. Wrap each detached leg with bubble wrap for protection.
5. Remove the table leaf and wrap it in a moving blanket.
6. Put the sides down on a drop-down side tables and then wrap the entire tabletop with a moving blanket. Secure the blanket with packing tape, so the blanket will not move.
7. Wrap the tabletop with as many blankets as is needed in order to cover the surface. Tape the blankets to the bottom of the table to keep them secured. Do not use tape on the surface of the table as it could leave a residue or peel the paint or wood surfacing.
8. Glass dining room table tops should first be wrapped in several layers of bubble wrap and then wrapped with at least two moving blankets. For additional protection, add a layer of cardboard taped over the blankets.
9. Wrap dining room chairs in a moving blanket and secure with tape. Wrap the legs and the back of the chair in bubble wrap.

Moving a Dining Room Table and Chairs

Once you have the dining room table wrapped and ready to go, you must make sure that it gets moved properly into a moving truck. Below are six tips for moving a dining room set to get the most optimum room in the moving truck and storage unit.

1. Move chairs by picking them up from the bottom of the seat. Do not move chairs by lifting up from their backs or by dragging them across the floor as this could damage the chair and the floor.
2. Stack chairs in groups of two in the moving van and secure with bungee cord or rope. Place the second chair upside down on top of the cushion on the first chair.
3. When moving the table, have one person lift it from one end and another from the other end. Lift the table by the apron and turn so it is vertical to the floor. This will allow for easier movement through doors and up/down stairs.
4. Load the table top against the wall of a moving van and secure with rope or bungee cords. Another option is to lay it flat on the floor of the moving truck.
5. Place the separated legs in a secure position on the moving truck, where they won’t roll and damage other items.
6. If the legs remain on the table, be very careful how you load the table into the moving truck. If the table is being moved in a standing position, you can load items below it, but it might not be able to support a large amount of weight on top. Tables can also shift during transit. It might be a better idea to place the table on its side in the moving van and make sure to keep the legs protected as much as possible.

Protecting a Dining Room Table in Self Storage

It is very important to protect the investment in your furniture, especially cherished dining room tables, while moving or in storage, so you will be able to use the items for many years to come. Self storage is a great personal storage solution to keep these items protected until you need them again. Some furniture might require storage in a climate controlled storage unit to keep the wood in good condition and protect it from possible warping or drying out from extreme temperatures and humidity.  Once you place the dining room tables in storage, make sure to keep them covered with furniture tarps.  Stop N Stor has a variety of storage units available in both climate and non-climate controlled to keep your dining room furniture protected in storage.