Published: June 15, 2025

Protect Walls & Floors During a Move

Moving to a new home is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with its fair share of stress. One major concern many homeowners face is avoiding damage to their property, especially scratched walls and hardwood floors. These kinds of damages are common, but entirely preventable with the right approach. Whether you’re moving into an apartment, condo, or a historic home, protecting your interior surfaces should be a top priority. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to keep your walls and hardwood floors safe throughout the moving process.

Why Protection Matters During a Move

Scratched floors and scuffed walls aren’t just unsightly—they can be costly. Hardwood floors in homes are often a major investment, and wall damage can delay move-in readiness, require repainting, or cause tension with landlords. Small mistakes during the moving process can turn into expensive repairs or lost security deposits. Taking a proactive approach to protection during your move saves time, money, and hassle.

Essential Tools for Protecting Walls and Floors

Before you begin the move, gather the right supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Furniture Blankets or Pads
• Corner Guards
• Painter’s Tape
• Cardboard or Masonite Sheets
• Rugs or Floor Runners
• Plastic Wrap or Shrink Wrap
• Sliders or Gliders for Furniture
• Door Frame Protectors

Having these items on hand will make it easier to create barriers between your belongings and your home’s surfaces.

Step-By-Step: How to Protect Hardwood Floors During a Move

1. Cover High-Traffic Areas

Lay down rugs, floor runners, or masonite boards in areas with high foot traffic. Focus on hallways, entrances, and the path from the front door to each room. Avoid using plastic sheeting alone—it can be slippery and unsafe. These coverings are a shield against dirt, moisture, and dents.

2. Use Furniture Sliders or Gliders

Furniture sliders reduce friction and prevent deep scratches when moving heavy items like couches, beds, and appliances. These are helpful on hardwood floors and can make the moving process smoother. They also make it easier to shift certain items without straining your back.

3. Lift, Don’t Drag

Encourage your moving team to lift furniture instead of dragging it. Dragging creates gouges and damages floor finishes, particularly if grit or small rocks are caught under furniture legs. Lifting also gives you better control, helping prevent sudden slips that can harm the floor or item.

4. Remove Debris Before You Move

Sweep and clean your floors thoroughly before moving day. Small particles of dirt or pebbles can get trapped under boxes or equipment and scratch surfaces as belongings are moved. A quick cleanup can mean the difference between flawless flooring and frustrating repair bills.

Step-by-Step: How to Protect Walls During a Move

1. Wrap Furniture With Blankets or Padding

Protect furniture edges and corners by wrapping them in thick moving blankets or pads. This prevents hard surfaces from scraping walls when navigating tight hallways or stairwells. Even a single exposed edge can leave deep scuffs or dents in walls if it bumps them during the move.

2. Apply Corner Guards and Door Jamb Protectors

Foam or plastic corner guards help protect vulnerable wall edges. For tight doorways, invest in door jamb protectors—they shield both the door and the adjacent walls from impact. These simple tools act as a barrier, which can prevent costly damage during the tightest turns.

3. Disassemble Large Items When Possible

Break down large furniture or appliances before trying to move them through doorways. Removing legs, arms, or drawers can reduce their size and make maneuvering safer. Taking time to disassemble bulky items prevents wall damage and makes lifting and angling furniture easier.

4. Plan Your Path in Advance

Before moving a large item, measure doorways and hallways. Plan the path you’ll take and remove any wall-hugging decor, shelves, or art that could get in the way. Mapping out your route beforehand helps avoid tight spots, sudden obstacles, and bumps that could scratch your walls.

Quick Recap: Top Tips for Scratch-Free Moving

• Use protective floor coverings in heavy traffic zones
• Wrap furniture and use sliders to prevent floor scratches
• Install corner guards and door frame protectors
• Lift heavy items instead of dragging them
• Disassemble large items before moving them

A successful move is more than just getting your items from one place to another—it’s about arriving with your new space in perfect condition. A little preparation now can save you time, money, and the hassle of repairing avoidable damage later. By following these tips, you’ll be able to protect your home’s walls and hardwood floors from scratches and scuffs, giving you one less thing to worry about during the moving process.

For a smooth move to your new home, visit UNITS® Moving and Portable Storage of Atlanta or give us a call at (678) 218-6057 today!