Taking furniture apart makes it lighter, easier to carry through doors and less likely to be damaged. To disassemble furniture for moving, photograph it first, remove parts in the reverse order of assembly, bag and label every fastener, and keep the hardware with the piece. This guide covers what to take apart, what to leave whole and how to do it.
What to Take Apart and What to Leave
| Furniture | Disassemble? | What to remove |
|---|---|---|
| Dining tables and desks | Usually | Legs or base from the top |
| Wardrobes and tall bookcases | Often | Doors, shelves, drawers; split stacked units |
| Modular and sectional pieces | Yes | Separate the modules |
| Dressers and chests | Rarely | Drawers only |
| Cabinets with glass | Partly | Loose glass shelves |
| Sofas | Sometimes | Legs and cushions |
| Glued or factory-assembled pieces | No | Move whole |
Tools You Need
- Screwdrivers and a set of hex keys.
- Adjustable wrench or socket set.
- Rubber mallet.
- Zip bags, marker and painter's tape.
- Your phone for photos, and the assembly manual if you have it.
How to Disassemble Furniture
- Find the manual. Many product pages have it under manuals and downloads. Disassembly is assembly in reverse.
- Empty the piece and remove shelves, drawers and loose glass.
- Photograph each stage, especially hinges, brackets and cable routing.
- Remove doors by unscrewing hinges from the cabinet side, leaving them on the door.
- Take off legs, bases and tops, supporting the weight as the last bolts come out.
- Bag hardware by step and label each bag with the piece and location.
- Label panels with painter's tape: left, right, top, front.
- Tape the hardware bag inside a drawer or to the largest panel, and wrap the parts.
Use the Spec to Plan
Assembly details on the product page tell you what to expect:
- The Large Red Oak Solid Wood Dining Table lists a 30-minute assembly with a hex key and wrench and a product weight of 129.2 lbs, so removing the base is quick and makes the top manageable.
- The Wood Bookcase with Mesh Doors, Drawers and Open Shelving lists 242.5 lbs, three packages and a 120-minute assembly. Plan to break it down and allow time to rebuild it.
- The Relievo Panel TV Console lists no assembly required and 91.7 lbs. Move it whole.
Take Care With Engineered Wood
- Cam locks and wooden dowels loosen a little each time. Turn cams gently and pull panels straight apart.
- Don't force glued dowels; leave that joint assembled.
- Carry panels on edge and don't stack weight on them.
- If a screw no longer bites on reassembly, see how to fix stripped screw holes.
Reassembly Tips
- Rebuild in the room where the piece will stay.
- Start all screws by hand before tightening any.
- Check the piece is square before the final tightening.
- Refit anti-tip hardware on tall furniture; see how to anchor furniture.
- Re-tighten everything after a week of use.
See also how to pack furniture for moving, how to assemble flat-pack furniture and our moving checklist.
FAQ
Should I disassemble furniture before moving?
Yes for large tables, desks, wardrobes and modular pieces. Small, sturdy or factory-assembled pieces can move whole.
Can flat-pack furniture be taken apart and reassembled?
Usually once or twice, if you work gently. Cam-lock joints in particleboard weaken with repeated cycles.
How do I keep track of screws and bolts?
Bag them by step, label each bag and tape it to the piece it belongs to.
Do movers disassemble furniture?
Many do for an added charge. Ask when you get the quote and say which pieces need it.