April 19, 2023, 3:36 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Inexpensive furniture is often not designed to be disassembled and reassembled at a different location. Fittings can tear out, and back panels can break. Furniture experts offer tips.
Anyone who has moved in recent years will have noticed: The furniture that was so easy to assemble yourself can sometimes only be assembled once. During a move, when pieces need to be taken apart and reassembled, damage often occurs. Here’s what you need to know to keep your furniture lasting longer:
How do I proceed during a move?
“Anyone who assembled their furniture strictly according to the instructions and did nothing wrong should be able to disassemble it easily,” says Thomas Gerke, master carpenter and trainer at the DIY Academy in Cologne. “You just have to follow the instructions in reverse order.”
But it’s not always that simple, as not everyone keeps the instructions. “Sometimes they can still be found online. You can also ask the manufacturer or retailer,” advises Christine Scharrenbroch from the Association of the German Furniture Industry. Gerke’s tip: For future purchases, scan or photograph the assembly instructions and store them digitally.
Another solution: Document each step during disassembly. Photos are also useful for this. Furniture expert Scharrenbroch also recommends numbering the components of the furniture pieces, such as doors, shelves, or back panels, during disassembly.
During a move, furniture is usually disassembled into its individual parts. “Ideally, they are as compact as when purchased and take up little space during transport,” says Christine Scharrenbroch. To prevent damage, sensitive parts such as glass, mirrors, or lacquered surfaces should be protected with blankets or foil and transported on soft surfaces.
“It’s important to remove small parts like keys and other accessories,” says Scharrenbroch. All parts for a piece should be placed in a separate container so they can be easily matched during the later assembly of multiple pieces. Drawers should be removed before transport or secured with masking tape. Important: Be cautious with tape on delicate surfaces.
What tools do the experts recommend?
It’s actually quite simple: The tools recommended in the assembly instructions should be ready. “If an Allen wrench is required, don’t try using a screwdriver. And where a screwdriver is appropriate, a power drill might be too much,” says Christine Scharrenbroch.
The right size is also important. For example, using the wrong screwdriver size when screwing in and out can fray the slots, making the screw unusable. Or you might slip and damage the wood.
A level should always be on hand when assembling furniture. “If the furniture stands truly straight and nothing wobbles, it benefits them. They last longer,” says Thomas Gerke.
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How often can furniture be moved?
That largely depends on their quality. “Few people still furnish their homes with heavy furniture made of solid wood that lasts a lifetime. Most furniture today is made of composite materials, which are not as stable, dense, and firm as solid wood furniture,” says master carpenter Thomas Gerke.
His tip: “If you want more durable pieces, you should ensure that the furniture has the highest possible solid wood content when purchasing.” With some care, even cheaper furniture can withstand one or two moves.
Furniture during a move–what are the biggest weaknesses?
The back panels of larger cabinets are a common weak point during furniture moves. “They are often made of thin hardboard, which must withstand larger loads as supporting elements,” says Thomas Gerke. It is particularly important to insert the back panel straight during reassembly and to secure larger cabinets to the wall with two brackets.
Fittings installed in particle board can become loose or tear out. According to the DIY Academy, these areas can be filled with a two-component adhesive, and hinges, handles, or drawer guides can be reinstalled.
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And if the furniture has suffered minor damage during disassembly or reassembly despite all precautions, it can usually be well concealed. “Damaged edges or scratches can easily be repaired with wax sticks, which come in all sorts of colors,” says Thomas Gerke. “Just apply, let dry, polish, and you’re done.”
with material from dpa