Have you ever looked at an antique and wondered what life-changing events and turbulent emotions it has witnessed throughout its long life? What kind of people have used it and what secrets it keeps?<\/p>\n
Antique furniture pieces have always been more than regular furnishing items \u2013 not only are they extremely beautiful and valuable, but also full of memories and feelings. Quite often, antique furniture is passed down from one generation to the next as a treasured family heirloom, a precious keepsake of happy times and sad moments. It has withstood the test of time and survived altering fashion trends and social norms, changing styles and tastes.<\/p>\n
Therefore, when faced with yet another radical change in your life \u2013 a residential move, you will most certainly want to ensure the safety of your priceless antique furniture and have it relocated to your new home without so much as a scratch. But how to move an antique in a safe and efficient manner? How to protect it during the chaotic relocation process?<\/p>\n
Moving antiques across the country is quite a challenge indeed. To meet it successfully, you are going to need some expert help. Take a closer look at the useful tips for moving antique furniture<\/em> below to get a better idea of what you are in for.<\/p>\n The process of moving house is known to be quite a risky endeavor. Too many things can go wrong<\/a> and too many circumstances beyond your control can ruin even the most carefully planned relocation scenarios. Nonetheless, it will be the integrity of your shipment that will be your primary concern throughout the entire transitional period – especially when it comes to extremely delicate and vulnerable items, such as antiques. No amount of money can replace the great value of your treasured furniture pieces, so you need to make every effort to keep them safe and intact during the relocation. Proper preparation is crucial for their survival.<\/p>\n To be able to see the larger picture and keep better track of your precious possessions, you are recommended to create a detailed inventory list<\/a> of your antique furniture pieces.<\/p>\n Go from one room to the next and inventory the vintage pieces in your home \u2013 make sure you note down not only the name and location of every individual item, but any other relevant information as well (year and place of manufacturing, craftsman, material, original purpose, first owner, approximate value, etc.) Most important of all, make a clear description of the antique\u2019s current condition \u2013 specify any existing damage and make several high-resolution photos of the piece (photograph it from all sides and angles, so that you have a solid evidence of its actual condition). This will come very handy if you need to make a claim against the moving company after your move.<\/p>\n You will have to obtain an antique furniture appraisal as verification of the value of your precious pieces. Make sure you find a trustworthy and properly authorized antique furniture appraiser to assess the actual worth of your treasured belongings.<\/p>\n It\u2019s of paramount importance to have your valuable antiques fully insured when in transit. Discuss your options with your insurance agent and your moving company and choose the kind of liability coverage<\/a> that is most appropriate in your particular case.<\/p>\n The better prepared you are, the smaller the chance of unexpected troubles during the actual relocation of your antiques:<\/p>\n Empty your furniture pieces, so that they become lighter and easier to carry (and therefore – much less susceptible to damage) and clean them well several days before the move. Inspect the furniture closely to identify any potentially problematic parts (weakened elements, loose interior parts, non-secured pieces, etc.) and what special handling or moving requirements will be necessary. Share all the relevant information with your movers well in advance.<\/p>\n Packing antique furniture is no child\u2019s play \u2013 the great size, weight, and fragility of your antique pieces make them very difficult to pack and move across the country. To avoid unnecessary risks and potential troubles, you are strongly recommended to hire professional packing services<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 the experienced packers will use the most appropriate packing materials and the most efficient packing techniques to prepare your valuable antiques for shipment in the quickest and safest<\/strong> manner possible. You will not only save yourself plenty of time and efforts but will also ensure your peace of mind and will have your treasured furniture delivered to your new home in excellent condition.<\/p>\n In case you need to pack your antique pieces on your own, you are advised to:<\/p>\n – surface protection<\/em> \u2013 wrap your antique pieces with soft packing paper and use thin plastic wrap to hold the coverings tightly in place. This will protect the furniture\u2019s delicate surface from moisture, dust, dirt, scratches, and other superficial damage;<\/p>\n – shock protection<\/em> \u2013 you need to provide adequate cushioning that will absorb any undesirable shocks and vibrations during transit. Your best option is to use foam sheets or soft moving blankets \u2013 makes sure your furniture pieces are completely covered and secure the protective materials well with the help of packing tape or rope;<\/p>\n – outer protection<\/em> \u2013 a final hard shell (preferably waterproof), such as a custom crate designed to perfectly fit your antique pieces will ensure the best possible protection during shipment.<\/p>\n Good to remember:<\/strong> When packing your antique furniture, make sure you don\u2019t use packing tape directly on the delicate surfaces \u2013 the tape can leave sticky marks on the finish and ruin it.<\/p>\n So, the time has come to take your safely packed antique furniture to your new home. The actual transportation of your belongings is, of course, the riskiest stage of the moving process, so you need to be extra careful when moving day comes.<\/p>\n 1) Enlist reliable help<\/strong> \u2013 hopefully, the thought of moving your antique pieces by yourself will never cross your mind. To minimize the risk of damaging your valuable furniture items during the relocation, you need reliable help. You can ask several trustworthy friends to help you take the antique pieces out of your old home and load them onto the moving truck, of course, but you will be putting your valuables in jeopardy. Your safest and most convenient moving option is to trust a specialized antique furniture moving company<\/strong>. The experts will have the excellent skills and the professional know-how required to relocate your antique furniture in a safe and efficient manner. Just shop around for reliable antique furniture movers who have considerable experience in relocating antiques, collectibles and fine art, compare their offers, discuss the details of your move, and choose the best furniture movers for your particular needs (make sure they are licensed, qualified and properly insured);<\/p>\n SEE ALSO: How to avoid moving scams<\/a><\/p>\n 2)<\/strong> Prepare well<\/strong> \u2013 inspect the entire area and remove any obstacles, debris, water, ice or anything else that can present a hazard on moving day. Keep your children and\/or pets away to prevent accidents and injuries<\/a>;<\/p>\n 3)<\/strong> In the event of a self-move<\/strong>, make sure you use proper antique furniture moving equipment and safe lifting and carrying techniques to move your cherished pieces around. Plan each and every action you\u2019re about to take in advance, obtain the best possible grip, move slowly, and be extra careful. Never drag antiques directly along the floor and avoid lifting the piece with the help of any attached elements such as arms, rails, or wings. Take every precaution to avoid slip-offs, impacts, or other accidents when taking your antique pieces out of your home and loading them on the moving vehicle. Make sure they don\u2019t come into contact with other household items in the truck and\u00a0secure them well with ropes or straps so that they don\u2019t move during transportation. Needless to say, you have to be equally careful when unloading your antiques and taking them into your new residence.<\/p>\nHow to prepare antique furniture for moving?<\/h2>\n
Inventory your antique furniture<\/h3>\n
Get your antique furniture appraised<\/h3>\n
Purchase adequate insurance<\/h3>\n
Plan ahead<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
Get your furniture ready for moving<\/h3>\n
How to pack antique furniture for shipping?<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
How to move antique furniture?<\/h2>\n