Timber floors are a timeless choice for any home because of their combined elegance and durability. However, they’re also an investment that requires thoughtful care especially when you’re moving furniture. One wrong move can leave scratches, dents, or worse, permanent damage that’s costly to repair. Whether you’re rearranging your living room, tackling a full-scale move, or simply sliding that heavy entertainment unit into a better spot, you should know the dos and don’ts when moving furniture on timber floors. In this post, we’ll walk you through the best practices for moving furniture on timber floors. Let’s dive in and make sure your timber floors stay beautiful and protected.
The Dos of Moving Furniture on Timber Floors
1. Use Furniture Pads or Sliders
Furniture pads or sliders are essential tools for anyone with timber floors. These handy accessories are designed to act as a protective barrier between your furniture and the floor, helping to prevent scratches and scuffs that can occur from friction. Felt pads are ideal for lightweight furniture like chairs, small tables, or lamps, while rubber or plastic sliders are perfect for heavier furniture such as sofas or cabinets. These pads and sliders protect your floors and make moving furniture easier. Instead of lifting or dragging items, you can simply slide them across the floor, reducing the strain on your floors and your muscles.
Felt pads and sliders are inexpensive and widely available at local hardware stores and online retailers like Bunnings. They are also easy to install. Just stick them to the bottom or legs of your furniture and you’re good to go. It’s a simple yet highly effective solution to protect our timber floors.
2. Lift Instead of Dragging
When it comes to moving furniture on timber floors, lifting should always be the first choice instead of dragging. Dragging furniture can cause immediate damage to the floor even if you’re using pads or sliders. Repeated dragging can leave micro-scratches or scuff marks that compromise the integrity of the floor’s finish. Lifting requires more effort but it’s a safer and more effective way to protect your floors.
3. Use Furniture Moving Devices
Furniture moving devices like dollies, sliders, and lifting straps can be a game changer when it comes to moving furniture. These tools are designed to reduce the amount of effort and risk involved in moving heavy or bulky furniture.
A furniture dolly with rubber wheels is particularly useful for larger items like bookcases, wardrobes, or entertainment units. These dollies help spread the weight across a large surface area, preventing pressure points that could lead to dents or scratches on your floor. The rubber wheels are also gentle on the timber so that you don’t damage your floors while moving furniture.
Lifting straps are another excellent tool for moving furniture. They work by using a system of straps and handles that allow two people to lift heavy furniture while keeping their bodies in a safe, ergonomic position. This reduces the risk of injuries while preventing damage to the floor. Both dollies and lifting straps can be found in local stores or online retailers which are accessible for homeowners.
The Don’ts of Moving Furniture on Timber Floors
1. Use Unprotected Furniture Legs
Many furniture pieces can come with sharp or hard furniture legs that can cause serious damage to timber floors. For example, metal or wicker furniture legs can dig into the wood, leaving permanent marks or indentations. To avoid this, always attach felt pads or protective caps to the legs of your furniture. This is especially important for furniture that moves frequently such as chairs and tables. For larger furniture, consider using larger protective covers or felt pads on the underside.
2. Drag Heavy Furniture
Dragging furniture across timber floors is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make. Even if your furniture has furniture pads, as small particles of dirt and debris trapped between the furniture pad and the floor can cause unsightly scratches and scuffs from the friction caused by dragging the furniture across the floor. It’s a very common occurrence for furniture pads to become dislodged during the dragging process leaving your beautiful timber floors completely exposed to the hard surfaces of your furniture causing deep scratches that will require sanding and polishing to properly restore. When moving large or bulky furniture, always lift the items or use a furniture dolly to protect your timber floors from scratches.
3. Move Furniture Across Dirty Floors
Before moving any furniture, it’s essential to clean your timber floors. Dirt, dust, and sand are common culprits of floor damage, especially for homes near the coast where sand and grit are frequently tracked inside. When you move furniture without cleaning the floor, the particles can get caught underneath the wheels of moving trolleys and dollies and scratch or scuff the floor as you wheel the items across the floor. A quick sweep, vacuum, or even a damp mop can remove any dirt or debris, providing a clean surface for moving furniture. This simple step can help preserve the beauty of your timber floors and prevent unnecessary damage.
4. Overload Timber Floors
Timber floors have weight limits and overloading them with heavy furniture with small legs that have a minimal surface area can lead to indentations. This is particularly true for softwood timber floors. Heavy items like pianos, large entertainment units with small feet, or bulky sofas with small feet can create localised pressure on the floor which can cause permanent indentations. To avoid this you can either swap out the feet of the furniture with those that are wider and distribute the load of the furniture over a larger area.
Conclusion
Moving furniture on timber floors doesn’t have to be a stressful task but it does require attention to detail. By following the dos and don’ts when it comes to moving furniture, you can easily avoid the costly mistakes of scratching, denting, or damaging your floors. If you’re unsure or dealing with especially heavy items, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals. With the help of the right movers, you can avoid any damage to your timber floors. In the long run, investing a little extra effort into protecting your floors can help preserve their timeless appeal, which adds value to your home. And once you’re done moving furniture, don’t forget to keep your floors in great shape with these tips for how to care for your timber floors.
