Long-term Furniture Storage Tips

Long-term furniture storage requires great care in its planning, as the risks are immense for its damage, mold, or deterioration. Whether you are relocating, downsizing, or just need extra space, learning the best methods for storing furniture means your pieces will emerge from storage in the same condition they entered. This article will outline the key long-term furniture storage tips including how to wrap furniture for long term storage, how to pack furniture for storage and how to protect furniture in storage.

1. Choose the Right Storage Unit

Succinctly, the very first step in taking care of your furniture in a long-term storage environment starts with selecting the right unit of storage. Many times, climate-controlled storage is a no-brainer to safeguard your furniture from the extreme temperatures and humidity that could warp wood, crack leather, or generate mold growth on fabrics.

Hint: In the case of valuable or fragile parts of furniture, it is better to store them in climate-controlled storage to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level.

2. Clean All Furniture Thoroughly

It is very important that everything that goes into packing for storage is well cleaned. Dirt and dust, with time, may degrade materials of furniture pieces.

• Wood and Metal Furniture: Clean the wood and metal furniture using mild soap in water. For wood, consider using a wood cleaner or polish to help protect the finish.
• Upholstered Furniture: Dust and clean surface fabric with a vacuum cleaner. For stains, spot clean as needed with a cleaner appropriate for the specific fabric type.
• Leather Furniture: Wipe down leather surfaces with a damp cloth, then apply a leather conditioner to keep the material supple and prevent drying out.

Hint: Also, make sure all furniture is completely dry when putting it in storage and away from the possibility of mold or mildew setting in.

3. Take Larger Furniture Apart

Large items, such as beds, tables, or couches, are easier to store and less likely to suffer damage in transit if they are taken apart. Removing legs, cushions, or any removable pieces will prevent breakage.

How to Take Apart Furniture for Storage:

• Take tables and chairs without legs.
• Bed frames are to be dismantled, and hardware should be kept in labeled plastic bags and taped to the furniture.
• Sofas and couches should have cushions and pillows detached.

Hint: Take photos of items being dismantled and/or keep assembly instructions so that when you retrieve your furniture, it is easier to reassemble them.

4. Protective Wrapping for Furniture

Among the steps involved in how to wrap furniture for long-term storage is the application of appropriate materials to protect the surfaces. Wrapping furniture protects it from dust, scratches, and moisture that may occur over time.

How to Wrap Furniture for Long-Term Storage:

• Wooden Furniture: Cover your wood furniture with furniture pads or moving blankets. Secure those covers with a stretch wrap, without having any plastic against the wood to avoid trapping moisture and leading to mold or other damage.
• Upholstered Furniture: Wrap upholstered pieces with shrink wrap or professional covers for furniture. Do not wrap them too tightly, as this will make the fabric perspire and grow mold.
• Leather Furniture: Cover leather furniture first by wrapping it in moving blankets and, if desired, cover it with cotton sheets or some other breathable cloth. Avoid using plastic wraps, as these might trap moisture and crack or mildew the leather.

Hint: One might, for extra safety, use bubble wrap to cover fragile parts, such as mirrors, glass tabletops, or exquisite wood carvings.

5. How to Strategize in Packing Items

Knowing how to pack furniture for storage makes certain that your pieces are safe from being crushed or damaged by shifting items. Strategic packing helps in maximizing space while keeping furniture protected. These are strategies you can use:

• Pack heavier items first, but when putting items in a pile in the storage unit, heavy/sturdy items go on the bottom, like dressers or solid wood tables, and lighter/more fragile pieces go on top.
• Try not to cram items of furniture together. Leave just enough space between them to allow for airflow and prevent scratch/pressure marks.
• Use Vertical Space: Mattresses or couches may be stored vertically to free space; ensure proper fastening of the items and additional bracing to prevent items from falling down.

Hint: Lay sheets, blankets, or even tarpaulin over the exposed surfaces so that dust or dirt will not accumulate while items are under storage.

6. Protect Against Moisture and Pests

Long-term storage of furniture faces a great risk of damage with moisture and pests. Take some precautionary measures well in advance to save them from the two. 

How to Protect Furniture in Storage from Moisture:

• Line silica gel packets or any other type of moisture absorber that will help control humidity inside the unit.
• Avoid putting furniture directly on the floor. Instead, use pallets or boards to elevate the furniture to allow air to blow around it and to protect it against flood or dampness.

How to Protect Furniture in Storage from Pests:

• Put some pest deterrents inside the storage unit, such as blocks of cedar or mothballs, to prevent insects from targeting the fabrics.
• Make sure that furniture is sealed or wrapped appropriately so that it will not be infested by pests.

Hint: Every now and then, when time permits, check on your stored furniture to ensure no moisture build-up or pest manifestation is happening.

7. Store Fragile Items Separately

Fragile items include glass shelves, mirrors, or fragile wood carvings that need special handling. Store them in separate boxes and use sufficient padding by using bubble wrap or foam so they will not break.

Hint: Clearly mark fragile boxes as “FRAGILE” and keep them toward the front of the unit for easy access and to prevent them from being crushed by heavier boxes.

8. Specialized Furniture Storage Services

For more valuable or antique furniture, you may want to consider specialized furniture storage services. Many of these may have greater levels of protection, like climate-controlled environments and additional security features, suited for high-value items.

Hint: If the item is of very high value, look for storage facilities with enhanced security features like alarms, video surveillance, and limited access points.

9. Periodically Check the Condition of Your Furniture

Periodically inspect your furniture, even if it is in long-term storage. Check if it has any signs of wear, moisture, or pest damage. The regular checks would also allow you to take action about the potential issues before irreversible damage occurs.

Hint: Put the inspection of the storage unit into your routine, maybe every few months, so your furniture can stay in good condition.

Conclusion

Long-term furniture storage can be relatively secure if the proper precautions are taken. Follow these long-term furniture storage tips on how to wrap furniture for long-term storage and how to protect furniture in storage, so your pieces will be in great shape when you’re ready to use them again. From cleaning to disassembling, wrapping, and protecting, each of these steps makes sure that your furniture maintains its integrity during the extended storage. If done with proper planning and with the right materials, your furniture will emerge out of storage safely.

If you’d like to discover the latest information about the moving and relocation world, please also check other industry news from Asian Tigers Group.

Your trusted moving support is only a few clicks away from your hand. Contact the Asian Tigers office near your origin or destination for your next move. You can also check our Frequently Asked Questions resource, AI-powered by Tiger Move Bot.