--- title: How to Wrap Furniture for Moving, Step by Step url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-wrap-furniture-for-moving/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to wrap furniture for moving # How to wrap furniture for moving Wrap furniture in five steps: clean it, remove loose parts, cover surfaces with a blanket or pad, secure the cover with stretch wrap on the cover and not the finish, and protect corners and glass. The order matters because the wrong material against the wrong surface causes most damage. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ## Five steps to wrap a piece of furniture - Clean and empty. Wipe the piece down, empty drawers and shelves, and remove glass shelves and loose hardware into a labelled bag. - Pad the surfaces. Drape a moving blanket or thick sheet over tops, sides and fronts, tucking it around legs and arms. - Secure the pad. Wind stretch wrap around the blanket, never directly on wood, leather or a painted surface. - Protect corners and glass. Add cardboard or foam corner guards, and tape an X across glass doors and mirrors over a layer of paper. - Label and load. Tag each piece with the room, and load it upright and against the wall of the truck with heavy items low. Professional crews wrap with moving pads because pads cushion and breathe. At home, old blankets and sheets do the same job. What you want to avoid is plastic wrap touching wood, leather or paint, since it can trap moisture and mark the finish. ## Wood and painted pieces Wood finishes can mark when plastic sits on them for days, especially in heat. Use a blanket as the first layer, then stretch wrap over that. Tabletops should be covered and protected from anything stacked on them. ## Upholstered furniture Sofas and chairs pick up dust and dampness. Cover them with a clean sheet or a purpose-made cover, then a pad. Remove cushions and wrap them separately. Use stretch wrap only on the outer layer. ## Glass, marble and mirrors Flat glass tops and mirrors are better carried upright than flat. Cover them in paper or foam, then in a pad, and ask for a crate or box for large pieces. O'Brien's offers [custom crating](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/) for pieces that need it. Antiques follow the same rule; see [moving antiques](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-antiques/). ## Disassembly helps Taking a bookcase apart lets you wrap each shelf flat, and removing the feet from a table keeps them from snapping on the ramp. Pieces that cannot come apart, such as a built-in desk with fixed drawers, are better left whole and wrapped with extra care. Legs, shelves and headboards come off many pieces and cut risk. Keep screws in a labelled bag taped to the item. For beds, see [how to disassemble a bed](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-disassemble-a-bed/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [Library of Congress, Preservation: Caring for Your Collections](https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [How to take apart a bed frame for moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-disassemble-a-bed/) - [Moving antiques safely](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-antiques/) - [Custom crating for art, glass, antiques and machinery](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/) - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to take apart a bed frame for moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-disassemble-a-bed/) - [How to move a couch](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-couch/) - [How to move a heavy dresser](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-dresser/) - [How to move a treadmill and exercise equipment](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-treadmill/) - [How to label moving boxes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-label-moving-boxes/) - [How to pack fine china](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-china/) - [How to move a fish tank or aquarium](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-fish-tank/) - [How to move a freezer](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-freezer/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can I use bubble wrap on furniture? Use it on glass and small fragile parts. Wrap the body of furniture in blankets, which cushion and do not trap moisture. ### Is stretch wrap safe on wood? Not directly. Put a blanket between the wrap and the finish. ### Do movers bring their own pads? Professional movers carry moving pads and wrap as part of the job; ask the estimator what is included. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) C Charles C. May 31, 2025 Great company, I'd highly recommend for any move!!! ### Owner's reply Charles, It was a pleasure working with you on your moves. We hope your trip is amazing and if you ever come back our way, we will be happy to help. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to complete this review on our behalf. N Nadine K. May 15, 2025 The guys were very friendly and hard working. Would definitely use them again! ### Owner's reply Nadine, We are pleased you chose us for your move, it was a pleasure working with you! We are extremely happy the move was a success. G Greg S. January 22, 2025 3 O'Brien movers came down from Reno to South Lake Tahoe to assist our company moving a lot of big furniture out of a large warehouse. They showed up on-time, were friendly, and were professional and got the job done quickly and diligently. Will definitely use them again. ### Owner's reply Thanks for the great review Greg! We really appreciate you taking the time to do that for us. We look forward to working with you again! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070