Do I Need to Empty Drawers Before Moving?

Find out if you need to empty drawers before moving. Expert tips on dresser safety, packing drawer contents, and preparing furniture for your move.

Not sure whether to empty drawers before your move? This guide answers key questions about moving furniture with full drawers, offering practical safety advice, packing tips, and expert insights from professional movers. Avoid costly mistakes and move stress-free with our guidance.

Table of Contents

• Should You Leave Drawers Full or Empty When Moving?
• Do I Need to Empty Drawers Before Moving Furniture?
• Can You Move a Dresser with Clothes Inside?
• Is It Safe to Leave Items in Drawers During a Move?
• What Happens If I Don’t Empty My Drawers Before Moving?
• Should I Empty Desk Drawers Before Moving?
• Can Movers Help Pack or Wrap Furniture with Full Drawers?
• What’s the Best Way to Pack Drawer Contents?
• Final Thoughts

When preparing for a move, one of the most common questions homeowners ask is: "Do I need to empty my drawers before moving?" While it might seem easier to leave everything inside, especially clothes or soft items, doing so could lead to unexpected issues like damaged furniture, injuries, or longer loading times.

In this article, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about moving drawers, dressers, desks, and other furniture with items inside.

Whether you're handling the move yourself or hiring professional movers, this guide will help you make the best decisions to protect your belongings and ensure a smooth relocation.

Should You Leave Drawers Full or Empty When Moving?

Preparing furniture for a move often raises questions like whether to empty drawers or not. In this guide, we answer the most common questions to help you make the safest, most efficient decision when relocating your belongings.

Do I Need to Empty Drawers Before Moving Furniture?

Yes, in most cases, it's best to empty drawers before moving furniture.This prevents damage to the furniture, avoids injury during lifting, and protects your belongings.

Heavy or loose items can shift during transit, damaging the drawer structure or causing the furniture to tip. Empty drawers also reduce the overall weight, making the piece easier and safer to carry.

Can You Move a Dresser With Clothes Inside?

It’s sometimes possible to move a dresser with clothes inside, but it's not recommended. Soft, lightweight items like folded clothes pose less risk, but drawers should still be secured.

• Remove heavy or fragile items
• Secure drawers with stretch wrap
• Never leave drawers full if the dresser is lightweight or has weak construction

Is It Safe to Leave Items in Drawers During a Move?

It depends on the furniture’s strength, the type of contents, and how the item will be transported. Most professional movers advise removing contents for safety and to prevent shifting weight.

Leaving items inside drawers increases the chance of damage, especially when furniture is tilted or carried up/down stairs.

What Happens if I Don’t Empty My Drawers Before Moving?

You risk damaging your furniture, the drawer rails, and your personal belongings. Items inside can move around, get crushed, or break the drawer supports.

Additionally, movers may refuse to carry furniture that hasn’t been emptied due to the added risk of injury and liability.

Should I Empty Desk Drawers Before Moving?

Yes, desk drawers should always be emptied before a move. Office supplies, electronics, and paperwork can shift or spill, creating a mess or causing damage.

• Use labeled boxes or zip bags for small items
• Secure any private or confidential documents

Can Movers Help Pack or Wrap Furniture With Full Drawers?

Some moving companies offer packing services, but will still recommend drawers be emptied. Movers can wrap the furniture, but leaving drawers full makes wrapping less effective and increases handling risks.

If you request full packing service, ask in advance if they can assist with empty drawers or if they provide boxes for drawer contents.

What’s the Best Way to Pack Drawer Contents?

Use small to medium-sized boxes to pack drawer contents, keeping them light and clearly labeled. This protects your belongings and ensures an organised unpacking process.

• Group similar items together
• Wrap fragile items with paper or bubble wrap
• Label each box with the drawer name or location (e.g., “Top Drawer - Bedroom”)

Final Thoughts

While it may seem convenient to leave drawers full during a move, doing so poses risks to your furniture, your movers, and your belongings. For a smooth and safe relocation, empty your drawers and pack their contents properly.

Need Help With Your Move?

Our professional moving team at London Man Van is here to make your move safe, quick, and stress-free. Whether you need packing help, moving boxes, or full service removals, book your move online today or call us for a free quote!

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Tags: furniture moving tipspacking drawershouse removals adviceprofessional movers Londondresser move safetydrawer packing guidemoving day preparationoffice furniture removals

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