Whether it's an old oak model, a glass-topped table or a marble construction, moving a dining table can be one of the most difficult tasks during a move.
This guide will help you get it right. Whether you're bringing the table yourself or using movers, you'll find step-by-step instructions for disassembling, packing, wrapping, lifting and transporting it. There are also separate tips for tables made of glass, marble and with fragile coatings.
Let's make sure the table reaches its new home without damage.
What to Prepare
Before you start removing legs or packing the tabletop, make sure you have everything you need on hand. The right materials will help avoid damage, dents, and breakages.
Below is a short list of things that movers are advised to use to transport wood, glass, and marble dining tables:
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers | Remove table legs or loosen brackets |
| Putty knife | Gently separate glued joints without damaging the wood |
| Ziploc bags | Store screws and bolts; tape to underside of table to avoid loss |
| Thick moving blankets | Protect tabletop and chairs from scratches and dents |
| Plastic or stretch wrap | Keep blankets in place; shield fabric chairs from dust and moisture |
| Large bubble wrap | Wrap fragile parts like glass legs, carved backs, or delicate trim |
| Cardboard corner protectors | Prevent chips and damage to table edges and corners |
| Telescoping box | Securely move glass or marble tops by holding them snugly |
| Non-residue packing tape | Secure items without leaving marks on wood or glass |
Furniture lifting straps aren’t required but can make it much easier to move a heavy table with a partner and reduce strain on your back.
Pro tip: These are the same tools professional movers take with them on every job. With them on hand, you'll be prepared for every step - from disassembly to safe transportation
Step 1: Prepare the table
Before packing or disassembling, it is a good idea to properly prepare your dining table. This will help protect it, especially if it's made of wood, glass or marble.
1. Take a photo of the table
Take photos of the table from different angles:
- from the top and sides
- The bottom where the legs are attached
- areas with cracks or scuffs
This will come in handy for reassembling the table later or proving its condition to the movers.
Tip: take large photos of joints and fasteners - they are often forgotten.
2. Wipe down the table
Dust and moisture under the packaging can ruin the table.
- Wipe the surface and legs with a soft cloth
- Make sure the table is dry before packing
Do not pack a wet table - this can damage the finish.
3. Treat the wood with polish or wax
If the table is wood:
- apply a thin layer of polish or wax
- This will reduce the risk of scratches and protect against moisture
Apply a product suitable for your table, use a soft cloth. Just 15-20 minutes of preparation can save you the trouble of moving.
Step 2: Disassemble the table (if possible)
Disassembly will make packing easier and reduce the risk of damage during moving.
1. Look at how the legs are attached
- If on screws or bolts:
Remove the legs with a screwdriver or wrench. Hold the leg with your hand to prevent it from falling off.
- If on glue:
Gently insert the trowel into the joint and wiggle it. Do not pull hard.
If it doesn't work, it's best to just wrap the legs.
Do not disassemble expensive or antique tables without expert advice.
2. If the legs won't come off
- Wrap each leg in bubble wrap.
- Wrap the entire table in a blanket and secure with the foil.
- Carry two people holding on to the base, not the legs.
3. Stack the fasteners in a bag
- Put the screws and bolts into a signed bag.
- Glue it to the table top or leg.
- You can add a diagram or note.
Take pictures of the fasteners before disassembly to help with reassembly.
Step 3: Packing the tabletop (wood, glass, marble)
Each material requires a different approach - wood is afraid of moisture, glass is easily broken, marble is heavy and fragile.
Wooden countertop
- Protect the corners with cardboard.
- Wrap with a blanket, without gluing the tape directly onto the wood.
- Secure the wrap by tucking the edges under the table.
- If storing vertically, pad the pads.
You can apply polish before packing.
Glass table top
- Apply a cross of painter's tape.
- Wrap with paper, then with cardboard and bubble wrap.
- Stack it in a box without any voids.
- Sign: FRAGILE - GLASS.
Transport glass only vertically, secured.
Marble worktop
- Wrap in blanket and bubble wrap.
- Place in a box with foam or cardboard.
- Fill all gaps with packing peanuts or foam blocks to prevent shifting.
- Close, sign, FRAGILE - THIS SIDE UP.
🛠️ Metal tape may be used for heavy slabs.
Step 4: Packing the dining chairs
Chairs are easily damaged in transit - especially the legs and fabric upholstery. To avoid breakages and stains, they need to be properly wrapped and secured.
If time and construction allows, it's best to disassemble the chairs. The legs can be removed, packed separately in bubble wrap, and the seat and back can be wrapped in a blanket. Fasteners are better folded in a signed bag and attached to the frame.
If you don't want to disassemble the chairs, you can wrap them entirely. Wrap the legs and backrest with bubble wrap, cover the upholstery with stretch wrap. If there are protruding parts, add a layer of soft protection. It's best not to glue the tape directly onto the wood or fabric to avoid leaving marks.
For heavy or antique chairs, it is better to use a thick blanket. The chair is placed diagonally on the unfolded blanket, wrapped on all sides and secured with tape. This method gives full protection.
When transporting disassembled chairs can be stacked tightly together and tied. If they are assembled, put them in pairs - one upside down on the other, seat to seat - and secure them. To prevent them from shifting, secure them against a wall or next to heavy furniture.
Step 5: Moving the dining table and chairs
Once everything is packed, the most important thing is to move the furniture carefully. This will help avoid scratches, breakages, and injuries.
First, clear a passageway from the room to the car. Remove anything that could get in the way, such as rugs and wires. If necessary, remove doors and check in advance that the dimensions will fit.
It's always best to carry the table with two people, holding on to the base, not the legs or table top. If the table is disassembled, the table top is carried on its side, with a pad between the body and the edge. Pulling furniture across the floor is not allowed - it can damage both the floor and the table.
If the tabletop is separate, it is placed in the truck on a rib against the wall, with padded backing and secured. The legs are placed separately and secured as well. A whole table can be placed by putting boxes or furniture under it for stability, but you should not put anything on top. Such tables are better to transport on the side.
Chairs are stacked in pairs: unfolded - seats to each other and fix, assembled - one on top of the other. They should be wrapped and placed away from heavy or sharp objects. The best way is to tie them to the wall of the body or clamp them between stable things.
When unloading, do everything in reverse order. Do not rush, unfold the furniture already in the house, so as not to catch the corners. With proper preparation, even a large table will arrive without damage.
Step 6: What not to do when transporting your dining table
Even with good preparation, mistakes can be made that lead to breakages, scratches, or damage. One of the most common is forgetting small parts. Bolts and screws are often lost if not put in a signed bag and attached to the furniture. Even better, take pictures of how everything was assembled.
Another mistake is wrapping wet furniture. This causes mold, bloating, and stains. The table should be wiped down and allowed to dry before wrapping. It is better to use blankets, not film, which does not allow air to pass through.
You can't glue the tape directly onto the wood. The glue can damage the coating. If you need to secure something, it's better to use stretch wrap or glue the tape to the package rather than the table itself.
Some people put boxes or other things on top. Even if the table is packed well, the pressure can cause cracks or loosen the legs. It's better to put the table on its side and secure it so it won't move in transit.
Finally, you should never lift the table by the legs or edges. This overloads the joints. It should be carried by two people, holding on to the base and not tilting.
If you avoid these mistakes, the furniture will arrive in good condition. All that remains is to unpack, assemble and put the table in its place.
Step 7 (optional): Move it yourself or hire movers
You can move a desk yourself, but sometimes it's easier and safer to have the professionals do it.
If you have a lightweight and collapsible desk, a short route, and helpers, moving it yourself will save you money and give you control over the process. But it will take time, physical effort and tools. Without experience, it's easy to damage furniture or get injured. There is no insurance for this.
If the table is heavy, antique or with glass and marble, and the move is far away or the house has narrow passageways, it's better to call movers. They know how to handle fragile furniture, they have insurance and the right equipment. The downside is a higher price and working on a schedule. WellKnown Moving can offer you a furniture packing service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about transporting dining room tables and chairs? Below are answers to the most common ones.