To move a bed, photograph it, dismantle it in order, bag and label the screws and wrap the parts. Protect the mattress with a cover and carry it flat or on its side as the type allows. This guide covers beds, mattresses and wardrobes and when a removal team can dismantle them for you.
Beds and wardrobes are the furniture that causes the most trouble on moving day. They are big, they are awkward, they are made of many parts and they always seem to be assembled in a way that does not fit through the door. Then there is the mattress, which is bulky, easy to stain and not meant to be folded.
We move households across Southampton and Hampshire every week, and we take beds and wardrobes apart and put them back together more often than we can count. This guide explains how to move a bed, from photographing it to dismantling it in order, how to move a mattress without damage, how to move a wardrobe and when to let a team do it for you. It is general advice, and your manufacturer's instructions apply to your own furniture.
How do you move a bed?
Photograph it, dismantle it in order, bag and label every screw and part, wrap the pieces, move them carefully and reassemble in reverse order. The photos and the labels are what make the difference between reassembly in twenty minutes and an evening of trial and error.
- Photograph the bed from a few angles before you touch it, including close-ups of the joints and fittings.
- Gather the tools you need. Most frames need a screwdriver, an Allen key and sometimes a spanner.
- Have a few labelled bags or containers ready, and a marker pen.
Dismantling a bed frame step by step
The exact steps depend on the frame, and the manufacturer's instructions, if you still have them, are the best guide. In general, this is the order.
- Strip the bed, and take off the mattress and any slats or base.
- Remove the headboard and footboard, keeping the fixings together.
- Take off the side rails, and note which side is which.
- Put every screw, bolt and washer into a labelled bag, and tape the bag to the part it belongs to.
- Wrap the parts in blankets or moving pads, and tie or tape them together so nothing goes missing.
Divan beds are different. Many have a base that does not come apart, and it can be tricky to get round corners and up stairs. Bunk beds and storage beds have extra parts, and it is worth checking how they fit together before you start. Wooden frames can loosen over time, and a frame that has been assembled for years may need care to take apart without damage.
Keep everything together once it is apart. Tape the bagged screws to the headboard, or keep one labelled box for every bed in the house, and put it somewhere you will not lose it, such as with your essentials. Nothing slows down the first night in a new home like a bed frame with no bolts. If you have several beds, mark each set of parts with the room it belongs to, so a child's bed does not end up in the wrong bedroom.
Moving a mattress without damage
A mattress is not designed to be folded or bent, and folding a sprung mattress can damage the springs. Check the manufacturer's guidance for your mattress, because foam, sprung and memory foam types are all different.
- Use a mattress cover. A proper cover keeps out dirt, damp and marks, and many can be sealed with tape.
- Carry it flat or on its side, as the type allows, and with two people.
- Do not drag it, and keep it away from rough surfaces and sharp corners.
- Keep it dry. A damp mattress can develop mould, so never leave it uncovered outside or in a damp vehicle.
- Load it last, so it is not squashed by heavier items, and unload it first, so the bed can be built early.
We supply mattress covers as part of our packing service, and you can ask us for one when you get your quote.
Moving a wardrobe
A wardrobe is often the largest item in a bedroom, and it is not always designed to survive a move whole. Empty it completely first, because clothes add weight and can shift. Check whether it comes apart, and if it does, take off the doors, remove the shelves and rails and unscrew the panels in order, labelling as you go.
Wrap the panels, and take particular care with mirrors, glass and edges. If the wardrobe is old, or was assembled with glue, it may not survive being taken apart, and you should ask for advice. We offer a furniture dismantling and reassembly service, so tell us which wardrobes you would like us to handle, and we will confirm what we can do.
Plan the route before you lift anything. Measure the width of the doorways, the turn at the bottom of the stairs and the landing, and compare them with the size of the wardrobe or the frame. In older Southampton terraces and flats with tight stairwells, a piece that went in whole when the house was furnished may need to come apart to come out. It is far easier to find that out the day before than halfway down the stairs with the van waiting.
Reassembling at the new home
Reassembly is the reverse of dismantling, and the photos and labels do the work. Check you have all the parts, put the frame together in the order you took it apart and leave the screws slightly loose until everything lines up. Tighten them fully at the end, and check the frame is level and stable before the mattress goes on.
If a piece is missing or damaged, tell us as soon as possible, and take photos. It is much easier to sort out on the day than weeks later.
When to let the removal team do it
Some jobs are better left to a team. Large, heavy wardrobes, divan beds that will not go up the stairs, bunk beds and any furniture that was glued or assembled in place are the obvious ones. Time pressure is another. If you have a lot to do and little time, handing the dismantling to us frees you up to do other things. We know how to take furniture apart and put it back, and how to protect it as we go.
We have a separate guide to furniture dismantling and reassembly for removals, and it covers what we can take apart and what to tell us in advance. Tell us about your beds and wardrobes when you ask for a quote, and we will plan for them.
Summary
- Photograph and label before you dismantle.
- Cover the mattress and avoid folding sprung types.
- Empty and wrap wardrobes before moving.
- Let the team dismantle large items when time is tight.
FAQs
Photograph it, take it apart in order, bag and label the screws, wrap the parts and reassemble in reverse. Keep the fixings taped to the part they belong to.
Often yes, but it depends on the type. Check the manufacturer's guidance, and avoid folding sprung mattresses. Use a cover, and carry it with two people.
Many divan bases do not come apart, so check before you start. If yours will not fit round a corner, tell us in advance, and we will plan the route.
Many do. We offer a furniture dismantling and reassembly service, so tell us which items you would like us to handle when you get a quote.
Use a proper mattress cover, seal it, carry it carefully and load it away from dirty or wet items. Keep it dry at all times.
One Last Thought
Moving beds and wardrobes in Southampton or Hampshire? Call K2 Swift Removals on 023 8111 3116 or 07356 097791 and we will give you a straight, free quote.
