Depending on the style of your bed, you may need to disassemble its headboard and footboard. Document each step in the process to make reassembly easier at your new home. Keep crews, screws and bolts together in sandwich bags so they don’t get lost during the move.
Wrap each component with moving blankets or old bed sheets for additional protection.
The Frame
The frame of a bed is the heaviest part of the entire set of furniture. It is also one of the most difficult parts to move without taking apart. Fortunately, most bed frames come apart into smaller, manageable pieces that are easy to lift. In addition, there are usually very few components that require a tool other than a screwdriver or a wrench.
First, remove the headboard and footboard from the bed. These are often attached to the main body of the frame by screws or bolts. Once these have been removed, the bed should be fairly bare. This will make it easier to maneuver the bare frame through the bedroom door and down the hall or into your truck.
If you’re moving a very old or delicate bed, you may want to consider using a robe or sweater to wrap it up and protect it from damage. This is especially important if the headboard is made of solid wood, or has a lot of detail. Similarly, you can protect the legs of your bed by covering them in plastic or bubble wrap before moving them. This will help keep them from scuffing or scratching your floor.
It’s a good idea to save all of the small screws and other elements that you remove from the frame in a sealed plastic bag. Losing any of these can really hamper your efforts to reassemble the bed in its new location.
Next, if your bed has rails, unscrew these from the head and foot boards. They are probably secured with a few screws or nails and can be removed by hand. Again, be sure to save all of these nails and screws in a sealed plastic bag to avoid losing them in transit.
If your bed doesn’t have a box spring but rather slats that support the mattress, you may be able to simply roll up the slats and transport them as-is. You might want to number or color-code each slat, however, to ensure that they go back into the proper place at your destination.
The Mattress
Unlike most furniture, a mattress is one of the most delicate and fragile elements to move. It can be easily scuffed, stained or damaged if not handled properly. This is especially true for old mattresses or those with an unusual shape. The best way to ensure that your mattress doesn’t get scratched or dirty during the move is by purchasing a plastic mattress bag. This is an inexpensive and highly useful purchase. The bag will envelop the entire mattress and keep it protected from dirt, debris and pests during the move.
If your bed has a box spring, you should also invest in a box spring mattress bag. This will help to protect it from damage as well. Once you have the mattress and box spring bags in place, it’s time to start the actual moving process. It is very important to have a second person helping you with this. A single person will be far more likely to damage the bed or injure themselves during the move. If possible, try to recruit a friend or neighbor who is willing to help.
A truck or van is essential for moving a mattress. It is a much safer option than loading it on top of your regular car. In addition, it’s recommended to lay the mattress flat in the moving vehicle so that it doesn’t slip during transit. You should also use a tie-down strap to keep the mattress in a stable position.
Before you move the mattress, remove all bedding items such as sheets, pillows and blankets. Wash them and pack them away to avoid stains or dirt during the move. If possible, you should also take this opportunity to clean the mattress and box spring.
After the bedding is packed up, it’s time to begin disassembling the bed frame. It’s a good idea to have a toolset with screwdrivers in various sizes available for this process, as it will make the job much faster and easier. Afterward, the small components of the frame should be kept in sealable plastic bags. This will make the reassembly process a lot simpler in the future.
The Box Spring
There are a few ways to move the box spring of your bed without taking it apart. The first is to ask for help from friends. This is going to be a very heavy and bulky piece of furniture, so having extra hands to help you lift it will be beneficial. Another option is to use furniture sliders, which are available at most hardware stores. These will allow you to move your bed with minimal effort, and they will also protect the mattress and box spring from getting scuffed or stained during the move.
If you want to take the mattress and box spring apart, be sure to keep track of where each one goes when you reassemble it in your new home. It’s a good idea to put them into a plastic bag or piece of cardboard so that they don’t get lost or damaged during the move.
The next step is to remove the headboard and footboard from the frame. These should come off fairly easily, but you may need to use a wrench or screwdriver to unscrew any screws or nails that are holding them in place. Once the headboard and footboard are off, it’s important to protect them with plastic or bubble wrap to prevent scuffing or staining during the move.
Once you’ve removed the headboard and footboard, it’s time to move on to the box spring. If your bed doesn’t have a box spring, you may be able to roll the slats up and then continue on with the frame. However, if your slats are attached to the rails with bolts or screws, you’ll need to unscrew each one and then carefully disassemble the frame. Be sure to save any screws and bolts in a plastic bag or somewhere safe so that you can reassemble the bed in your new home.
If you’re moving a large, heavy bed, it’s important to have a plan in place before you start. It’s also a good idea to gather supplies, such as furniture straps, an appliance dolly, and a hand truck, so that you can move the bed safely and quickly.
The Bedding
Moving a bed is no easy feat, but with the right planning it can be done without too much stress. To start, you will need specific packing materials and a few basic tools. A mattress bag, packing paper, bubble wrap, and a roll of packing tape are the most important items to have. If you have access to a furniture strap or rope, that is also a good idea as it can be used to help you move the bed faster.
The first step is to remove the headboard and footboard from the main frame. These are usually attached with screws and can be removed with a screwdriver. Once the bed is bare, you can see if it will fit through the doorways of your home. If not, you may need to disassemble it to make the process easier and less stressful.
Once the bed is completely bare, it’s time to move on to the bedding. The sheets and pillowcases should be removed and placed into a moving box along with the blanket. You should also fold up any blankets and pillows to reduce the weight of the mattress and box spring.
Next, you will need to move the actual mattress and box spring. The easiest way to do this is to place a rug underneath the mattress and simply flip it over onto the other side. If you have stairs, you can use furniture sliders, which are inexpensive and available at most hardware stores. These will help you move your bed down the stairs without any damage.
When it comes to the box spring, you can either lift it and drag it or have someone help you with this. If you’re lifting it, make sure to lift with your legs and keep your back straight. This will prevent any back injuries. You can also try using a pry bar, which is a long piece of wood that you can use to help you lift the box spring and drag it.
If you have a queen size bed, you will need to remove the headboard and any sideboards, if there are any. Once the bed is bare, you should be able to easily carry it to your vehicle and transport it to your new home.