How I Tell LA Clients To Prep Furniture For An Interstate Move (Without Losing Their Minds Or Their Sofa Legs)

If you’re staring at a room full of furniture in Los Angeles and thinking, “How on earth is all this going to survive a cross‑country move?” — you’re not alone. I walk people through this every week.

Moving furniture interstate from LA isn’t just “throw it in the truck and go.” Long-distance moves mean miles of bumps, temperature changes, and tight deadlines. The way you prepare your furniture before the movers show up makes a huge difference in whether everything arrives in one piece… or in five.

I’m going to walk you through exactly how I prep my own clients’ furniture for interstate moves out of Los Angeles — step by step.

Along the way, if you feel like, “Nope, this is too much,” that’s literally what my team at United Prime Van Lines does all day with our Furniture Disassembly & Assembly services.

Step 1: Walk Your LA Home Like An Inspector

Before we touch a single Allen key, I have clients do one thing: a furniture walkthrough. Not a casual glance. A slow, honest inspection.

Grab your phone and ask:

• What’s fragile?
• What’s heavy?
• What can be disassembled?
• What’s already damaged?

Take photos of:

• Glass dining tables.
• Sectional sofas.
• Antique pieces.
• Any particleboard (IKEA) furniture.

Why? The photos help you reassemble things later and document pre-existing damage for your own peace of mind.

Step 2: Decide What’s Worth Moving

Interstate moving is billed by weight and distance. Hauling a beat‑up dresser 2,000 miles can cost more than replacing it.

Ask yourself:

• Do I love it, or is it just “fine for now”?
• Is it solid wood or cheap particleboard?
• Will it fit in the new place?

Pro Tip: In Los Angeles, sell the things you don't love on Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp. Lightening the load makes the bill smaller.

Step 3: Gather The Right Materials

If there’s one place I don’t let clients “improvise,” it’s protection materials. Here is your interstate armor kit:

• Heavy‑Duty Moving Blankets: Thick and quilted.
• Stretch Wrap: To hold blankets in place.
• Ziploc Bags: For hardware (screws, bolts).
• Cardboard Corner Protectors: For wood edges.
• Bubble Wrap: For glass and mirrors.

If you hire us for Full-Service Packing, we bring all of this for you.

Step 4: Disassemble Like a Pro

The longer the trip, the more I want large pieces broken down.

What to disassemble:

• Beds (Headboard, rails, slats).
• Large dining tables (Legs off).
• Sectional sofas.

The "No-Nightmare" Method:

1. Take Photos First: Document how legs attach.
2. One at a Time: Don't mix hardware from different beds.
3. Bag & Tag: Put hardware in a Ziploc bag and label it "Master Bed Bolts."
4. Tape it to the Piece: Secure the bag to the back of the headboard or underside of the table.

Step 5: Protecting Wood Furniture

Wood scratches easily. Here is how to prevent heartbreak:

1. Clean Surfaces: Dust acts like sandpaper under moving blankets.
2. Remove Drawers: Or secure them tight.
3. Protect Corners: Use cardboard edge guards.
4. Blanket & Wrap: Cover in a moving blanket, then stretch wrap tightly to hold it in place.

Step 6: Protecting Upholstery

Los Angeles is dry, but your route might cross humid or rainy states.

1. Vacuum First: Don't transport LA dust to your new home.
2. Remove Legs: Bag them.
3. Plastic Covers: Use sofa covers or shrink wrap to protect against dust and moisture.
4. Leather Warning: If moving in summer heat, put a blanket under the plastic so the leather can breathe.

Step 7: Glass & Mirrors (Non-Negotiable)

Glass is unforgiving.

1. Never Move it Loose: Remove glass tops from tables.
2. Bubble & Cardboard: Wrap in bubble wrap, then sandwich in cardboard.
3. Load Upright: Never lay glass flat. It must ride on its edge to prevent cracking from vibration.

Step 8: The Small Details That Matter

• Tighten Knobs: Loose handles scratch other items.
• Secure Shelves: Remove them or wrap them separately.
• Coil Cords: Tape power cords to the back of furniture so they don't dangle.

Step 9: Loading Strategy (If You DIY)

Even if you aren't loading, know what good loading looks like:

• Heavy on Bottom: Dressers and solid wood down low.
• "Cushion Walls": Mattresses between heavy items (but never under them).
• Glass Upright: Strapped to the side wall.
• Tight Pack: Fill every gap to prevent shifting.

Step 10: Special LA Considerations

• Elevators: If moving from a high-rise in Downtown LA or Hollywood, reserve the elevator.
• Parking: Check street cleaning signs and loading zones.
• Stairs: Know your stairwell width before you try to carry that King mattress down.

The Verdict: When to Call the Pros

Can you prep all your furniture yourself? Absolutely. Should you? If you have high-value items, no time, or a bad back, let us handle it.

With United Prime Van Lines, you can choose:

• Full-Service: We pack, disassemble, wrap, load, and reassemble.
• Hybrid: You pack boxes, we handle the furniture.

The destination might be new, but the way your furniture gets there shouldn’t be an experiment.