How to Pack a Living Room for Moving

The best way to start packing your living room for moving? One step – or piece of furniture – at a time. There are a wide array of items in a typical living room or family room that vary in size, material and sentimentality, so there aren’t many catch-all solutions. However, by implementing these tips and packing supplies, you can pack your living room without issue. Here’s how to prepare your furniture and living room for moving in five easy steps.

1. “What moving supplies do I need?”

It’s the first question most soon-to-be movers ask themselves. These are the recommended moving supplies for packing a common living room:

2. Secure your fragile items

From picture frames to wall decorations to lamps, most living rooms have fragile items that need protecting. It’s worth taking the time and utilizing the recommended supplies to keep these items secure.

Picture frames and mirrors

Packing framed artwork and mirrors is simpler when you take advantage of specialty boxes the Mirror and Picture Box, which is specifically designed to protect framed items of various size. For added protection, make an ‘x’ out of tape on the glass to keep it from shattering.

Lamps, vases and more

The Lamp Box can be used to pack and move fragile items like vases, golf clubs, telescopes and just about anything else that’s tall or oddly-shaped. Start by disassembling what you can (for example, remove the shade from the base and unscrew the lightbulb). Place the base in the box standing upright and fill the empty space of the box with crumpled newspaper, then secure with box tape. Place the shade in its own box or in a box with only light items so it will not be crushed. This same approach can be taken with tall plants or vertically-aligned decorations.

3. Organize the electronics

Packing a living room in today’s day and age means carefully packing gaming consoles, DVRs, surround sound systems and other valuable electronic devices. Keep these tips in mind to ensure your electronics are kept in excellent condition during your move.

How to pack a TV

Start by unplugging the cords. Then, remove the TV from its stand(s) and lay it flat in a soft, flat surface. Use the foam blocks included in the TV Kit or Medium TV Kit to protect the screen’s corners. With the TV upright, slide it into the TV kit and secure the box shut with box tape. For added protection, cover the TV in an Anti-Static Flat Screen TV Cover before boxing it up.

Click here to see how to assemble a TV Kit and here for more information about moving a TV.

How to pack small electronics

If you still have the original packaging that your small electronics came in, use it to re-pack those items. If not, Small, Medium and Large Electronics Boxes are ideal for packing DVRs, gaming consoles, computer towers and monitors and just about anything else smaller than a television.

Be sure to remove discs and other external devices from your electronics before packing them away. Unplug the cords and neatly wrap them in a loop, keeping them in place using tape or a zip tie. Try packing remote controls and cords all in one small box or large plastic bag so they're all together. 

Dust off your electronics then place them in your boxes, putting larger items on the bottom and filling extra space with newspaper, quilted pads, towels or other soft items to prevent shifting. A pro tip: take photos of how your electronics are set up before you unplug anything so you have something reference when you set them up again later.

4. Pack books, records, DVDs and more

Much of packing media – both digital and print – for moving comes down to organization and having the right sized boxes on hand. For books, the U-Haul Book Box is a sturdy packing container that will accommodate most book collections. Be sure to pack your books spine-down to keep the binding in good shape.

When packing DVDs, CDs or other discs, be sure to pack them standing upright, as stacking them face down can put too much pressure on the disc and lead to damage. The same goes for your vintage record collection – keep your vinyl upright in a small- or medium-sized box.

5. Prepare furniture for moving

Prepping your furniture for moving means protecting your coffee table, couches, rugs, entertainment center and other living room furniture from dings, dents and scratches. The best way to do this is to use the correct supplies and packing techniques.

How to pack couches and chairs

It’s important to protect your chairs, love seats and couches, which is why we offer various sizes of polyethylene plastic covers that keep your furniture clean and protected during a move. Be sure to clean your furniture prior putting it under wraps. Use tape to secure the covers over your furniture. For oddly-shaped furniture, a quilted pad can be used in place of a plastic cover.

How to pack coffee and end tables

All hard-surfaced furniture can be tightly wrapped in a quilted pad to protect it from damage. Like most belongings, these items should be cleaned prior to packing and disassembled where possible (drawers, glass tops, shelving and other portions).

How to pack area rugs

There are also specialty packing supplies for area rugs! First, vacuum and shampoo your rugs if you feel it’s necessary. Then, roll them up tightly and place a single layer of tape around the roll at the center to keep it together, then place the entire thing inside of a Rug Storage Bag.

Packing Made EasierSM

No matter which packing supplies or moving resources you need to pull your move off, U-Haul has a moving solution for you. Search for some additional packing tips and shop for moving and packing supplies to get your packing project started.

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