4 min read

How to move antique furniture

The right equipment will keep your antique furniture safe during your move.
By · Updated June 22, 2026
How to move antique furniture

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An antique furniture is a form of art. Most antiques have a long history behind them. Some are family heirlooms that have been handed down from generation to generation while others may be worth a lot of money. It makes sense if moving your antique furniture fills you with nerves. Preserving these pieces of treasure so that you can continue to pass them down to others is a lot of responsibility.

Moving antique furniture requires a cautious approach. Many antiques are priceless and fragile. What's more, it's not always possible or easy to fix antiques once they have been damaged. Hiring professional movers to transport your antique furniture during your move is the best way to ensure their safety. The following steps will help you during the removal of your antique furniture.

1. Prepare an inventory of your antique furniture

Before anything is moved, create an inventory for each piece of antique furniture you have. Go over each angle or part of your antique and make a note of any defects, scratches or loose parts of the object. The more familiar you are with each item, the easier it is to handle them safely. 

2. Get your antique furniture insured

If your antique furniture is a priceless piece and is worth a lot of money, then you must get a proper appraisal done. Insuring your furniture means that you'll be protected financially in case they get damaged during the move. The chances of damage occurring if you are hiring professional movers are low, but you can never be too careful.

3. Clean your antique furniture carefully

Dust and wipe down your antique furniture before you move it. However, be carefully using oils or waxes before the move. These can make your furniture slippery, and you want your movers to have a sturdy grip on the furniture. If you are packing your antique up with bubble wrap, oils can cause packaging to leave imprints onto the woodstain. A simple dust or wipe down the day before with a damp cloth should be enough.

4. Choose the right furniture mover for your antiques

Whenever you choose your furniture moving company, it is always advised that you put your furniture needs first. Make sure the company you are going with has the experience and technical skill to handle antiques with proper packing materials. Be mindful that they don’t rush the packing process. They may destroy your piece as a result. They must guarantee they can handle your antique furniture with care and adopt safety protocols when moving. The packing supplies must be of high quality. There should be adequate transportation available, and the company should send well-trained personnel. 

It is always better to plan your furniture move beforehand. With Wise Move, book the best furniture movers in New Zealand for trusted, affordable, and professional moving support. Our moving teams can handle careful lifting, safe transport, and reliable delivery, making your furniture move simple and stress-free.

5. Leave it to the professionals but keep a watchful eye

Once you select your moving company, it is best to let them take care of the rest. However, you should keep a close eye on the workers and ensure that they are handling your pieces well, using the right packaging supplies and that they understand the nature of your articles. This is where your inventory list will come in handy. You can keep track of all your antique pieces that have been packed carefully.

6. Protect your furniture with the right equipment

One of the reasons for using a professional mover to transport your antique furniture is that they have all the equipment you need to keep your treasured pieces safe. If you have furniture that needs to be protected, you can't place it in the back of a moving truck without any added protection. Protect your antique with furniture blankets, pads and sturdy foam. 2-3 layers of protection are enough to avoid scratches and protection if the item should fall over. You'll also need to stabilise your furniture in the back of your truck or van during the move. 

7. Clear a wide pathway

If you are hiring movers, ensure that your house is easy for them to navigate. Clean and tidy up the rooms before they arrive and ensure there's nothing in the path between the furniture and the doorway. Your movers should advise you if they need you to move more objects out of the way. If you're not using professional movers, take a walk-through of your path. Secure any rugs or slippery surfaces before you handle your antiques. 

Furniture moving service

Budget-friendly furniture removals service trusted by thousands of customers. Door-to-Door delivery. Same Day service.
What are you moving?
Newshub Stuff NZ Herald

What do our customers say?

Read reviews of Wise Move to learn stories from our customers.
$120
Small circular dining table - top can be taken off for transport, 4 di...
Brooklyn, Wellington
Roseneath, Wellington
10
Anne-Marie
Reviewed 15 hours ago
Great communication and service. Would definitely book Central again.
$250
Cast iron Clawfoot bath
Ponsonby, Auckland
Avondale, Auckland
10
Liz
Reviewed 17 hours ago
Great fast move would recommend
$1,299
Washing machine, Cot in box, Cot mattress, Queen bed base, Queen bed m...
Hampstead, Ashburton
Reporoa
10
MYRA-DAWN
Reviewed 19 hours ago
Super easy communication, handled my items with a lot of care and made it to my destination safely. Really pleased with Faithway and moving my furniture from Te Waipounamu to Te Ika-a-Māui all safely. Nga mihi nui
$350
Hokowhitu, Palmerston North
Awapuni, Palmerston North
10
Rajesh
Reviewed 19 hours ago
HMT Movers were excellent professional, careful and efficient. Chandeep communicated everything clearly, and the team handled our belongings with great care. They were also happy to accommodate a few last-minute extra boxes without any fuss. Highly recommended.
$735
Maupuia, Wellington
Manukau, Auckland
10
Chelsea
Reviewed 22 hours ago
Paul was incredible handling my items all the way from Wellington city to Auckland, communication was great, items were well looked after I appreciate it 🙏
$100
Small office chair on wheels
Mount Eden, Auckland
Gonville, Whanganui
10
Rita
Reviewed 1 day ago
Thanks for emails and calls as my item was in transit!
$845
Queen bed, queen mattress, 4 x 1 kallax ikea shelves, 2 x bedside tabl...
Te Awamutu
Newtown, Wellington
10
Josh
Reviewed 1 day ago
Absolutely brilliant service. Another company cancelled on me and these guys agreed to transport my bed, mattress, bedside drawers, shelves at last minute. When they arrived they even agreed to take more stuff than I originally booked. Which was vital, as I had no room left to transport the rest of my belongings in my VW Corsa. I couldn’t recommend them enough. A smooth and easy process
$150
3 Seater Couch
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10
Lisa
Reviewed 1 day ago
Great couple of Movers! We had an issue with the size of the couch (including it not fitting in the lift) and this team were super helpful and we got it into place. It's no wonder they get 5 star reviews. THANKS Team.

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