Six steps to take a bed apart
- Photograph it. Take pictures of the assembled frame and each joint so you can rebuild it later.
- Strip and lift. Remove bedding, then lift the mattress away and stand it against a wall.
- Remove slats or the box spring. Lift out slats, supports or a platform and bundle them with tape or a strap.
- Unbolt rails and headboard. Use the right tool, loosen all bolts before removing any, and support the headboard as the last bolt comes out.
- Bag the hardware. Put every bolt, washer and cam in a labelled bag and tape it to the headboard or inside a rail.
- Wrap and label. Pad the pieces with a blanket and label them with the room and bed name.
Most bed frames are built to come apart. Taking one down makes it easier to carry through doors and around stairwells, and it lets the crew load it flat. The risk is the hardware, which is small and easy to lose, so keep it with the bed.
Tools you need
A screwdriver, an Allen key set and a small wrench cover almost every frame. A cordless driver speeds it up, but hand tools are less likely to strip a bolt. Keep the original instruction sheet or manual if you have it, or look up the model number before you start.
Different frame types
Metal frames with brackets slide apart and are usually quick. Wood frames with bolts and cam locks need care so the threads are not stripped. Platform beds with built-in storage are heavier, and drawers should be removed. Adjustable beds with motors need the power cord taken off and tied.
Mattress and box spring
Protect the mattress with a bag made for moving, which keeps it clean. Carry it flat or upright and do not fold it. See how to pack a mattress.
Putting it back together
Rebuild in reverse order, tighten bolts in a cross pattern and check the frame for wobble before the mattress goes back on. Wrap parts per how to wrap furniture. If you prefer, ask the O'Brien's estimator about disassembly as part of a move.