One in four Americans say relocation is more stressful than having to do an emergency airoplane landing.
However, properly disassembling and packing large furniture like your bed can help reduce stress by significantly simplifying the process.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to pack a bed before moving, answer your most frequently asked questions, and provide valuable tips for a hassle-free reassembly once your bed reaches its new destination.
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4 Easy Steps To Pack a Bed for Moving
Don’t let the moving jitters get to you — by systematically taking apart your beds and securely storing each part in protective covering, you’re already well on your way to simplifying the relocation journey.
Do it by using our four simple steps:
1. Remove the Bedding
If the bed has blankets, duvets, pillows, and sheets, they need to go first.
- Remove all the bedding. This is a great opportunity to wash items that may have accumulated dust or allergens, ensuring you settle into a fresh, clean environment in your new home.
- After washing, neatly fold your sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and blankets. You can pack these items into large moving boxes to keep them organized during transit.
- Also consider moving boxes or vacuum seal bags if you need to reduce the volume of your bedding.
Taking the time to sort and pack your bedding separately will make unpacking easier and help preserve linen quality.
2. Remove the Mattress and Box Spring
Once you’ve sorted out your bedding, move on to the next step.
- Remove the mattress and box spring. They can be bulky and heavy, so we recommend asking help from a friend or professional movers.
- Carefully slide the mattress into a high-quality plastic storage bag to protect it from dust, scuffs, and potential stains.
- Do the same with the box spring to avoid unnecessary damage in transit.
Apart from the protection it offers, the plastic bag promotes easier handling while navigating tight spaces or stairwells.
Proper protection at this stage ensures a pristine mattress and box spring when you’re ready to reassemble your bed.
3. Unscrew the Headboard and Footboard
After securing the mattress and box spring, focus on the headboard and footboard. These decorative yet functional parts of your bed are usually attached to the main frame with screws, nuts, and bolts.
- Using the appropriate tools, unscrew them carefully while making sure you don’t damage the hardware.
- Collect all the small parts in a plastic bag while removing these components to avoid them getting lost.
- Make sure you keep small and large parts in one place by labelling the bag clearly and tape it to one of the larger pieces.
Taking a moment now to organize and label your hardware will pay off when it’s time to put your bed frame back together.
4. Take Apart the Main Bed Frame
The final step in disassembling your bed is to take apart the main bed frame.
- Carefully remove all the bolts and screws that hold the frame together.
- As you do this, make sure to label and store every small part in a designated container or bag for easy access.
- Take note of the order in which you remove parts; a few notebook scribbles or shots with your smartphone can serve as a helpful reference.
Before transferring the parts to the moving van, wrap any delicate parts with protective padding to prevent damage during transit and ensure everything remains in excellent condition.
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Relocating involves disassembling and reassembling your furniture and packing goods into boxes
How To Put a Bed Frame Together
When it’s time to set up your new space, reassembling your bed can be straightforward if you’ve kept your components organized.
Reattach the Main Frame
- Start by laying out all the disassembled parts on a clean, flat surface.
- Take a moment to review any manufacturer’s instructions, notes, or your reference photos to help you identify each component and plan the assembly process efficiently.
- Rebuild your frame by aligning the pieces carefully and ensuring the structure is square and stable.
Reattach the Headboard and Footboard
- Once the primary frame is in place, you can start assembling the rest of the structure.
- Reattach the headboard and footboard using the hardware you previously organized.
Following the original configuration is key to maintaining the bed’s stability and design integrity and taking your time with this step ensures each connection is secure, reducing the risk of structural issues once your bed is fully assembled.
Check If the Frame Is Sturdy
- After you’ve reassembled the bed, gently apply pressure to different areas to ensure all connections are tight and that the structure feels stable.
- If you notice any loose bolts or misaligned components, take the time to adjust them.
This final step is small but critical to ensure your bed is safe and comfortable from the very first night in your new home.
Add the Mattress and Bedding
After a move, it’s best to rewash your linen and make sure your mattress is dust-free before using.
- If you transported your mattress and linen in protective, sealable bags, you’re already halfway there.
- All you need to do now is vacuum your mattress using your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment, paying careful attention to seams and crevices.
- Finally, spot-clean with a mix of detergent and water if you see any stains.
Moving services like Imperial Movers can help make relocation easier
Imperial Movers Makes Relocation Effortless
At Imperial Movers, we understand moving involves a lot of details, and furniture disassembly and reassembly can be particularly daunting.
Our team of expert NYC movers is ready to disassemble and reassemble every piece of your furniture as part of our full-service NYC moving experience.
We’re here to make your relocation as easy as possible so you can focus on settling into your new space without the added stress of managing every detail yourself.
Relocate with peace of mind. Contact Imperial Movers today
How To Pack a Bed for Moving FAQs:
How soon before moving should I start packing?
It’s generally best to begin packing two to four weeks before the move to stay organized and avoid rushing. Start with rarely used or seasonal items and gradually work your way to everyday essentials. This approach ensures you can sort, declutter, and pack systematically without feeling overwhelmed at the last minute.
What is the best thing to pack first when moving?
Start with items you rarely use or won’t need prior to moving day — such as out-of-season clothing, holiday decorations, or infrequently used kitchen gadgets.
Packing these non-essential belongings first helps declutter your space early on, ensures you maintain easy access to daily necessities, and sets a systematic pace for tackling the more frequently used items closer to your move date.
Do I need to wrap a mattress for movers?
Yes. Wrapping the mattress in a protective cover or specialized mattress bag prevents dirt, dust, and moisture damage.
It also makes handling easier and maintains hygiene, which is important if the mattress will be moved on a truck transporting other items.
How do you pack bedding when moving house?
Begin by washing and drying all bedding, then fold and stack it neatly to save space. Use medium-sized boxes or vacuum storage bags for bulky items like comforters but avoid over-compressing items.
Label boxes or bags clearly with the room they belong to and keep an “essentials” box with at least one set of clean bedding easily accessible for the first night in your new home.
