Published: June 15, 2025

How to Protect Floors & Walls During Your Move

Moving into a new home brings a lot of excitement, but it also brings a lot of opportunities for damage if you’re not careful. Hallways, door frames, and hardwood floors can easily take a beating from heavy furniture, boxes, and constant foot traffic. The last thing you want is to start your next chapter with scratched floors and scuffed walls. This guide will walk you through how to protect your home during your move, keeping your space clean and damage-free from start to finish.

Why It Matters: The Risk to Walls and Floors

Moving means lots of lifting, shifting, and maneuvering bulky items through tight spaces. Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to scrape a wall or drag a heavy box across hardwood floors. Furniture corners, overstuffed boxes, and tired helpers can all leave behind damage that’s costly and frustrating to fix. Taking a little extra time to protect your space can save you from expensive repairs down the road.

Prep Work: Set the Stage for a Safe Move

The best way to avoid damage is to prepare before anything gets moved. Here are a few essential steps to take before moving day begins:

Gather the Right Supplies:

Invest in padded moving blankets to wrap around furniture and appliances. These act as a buffer between sharp corners and your walls or floors. You’ll also want packing tape, stretch wrap, and furniture pads. Don’t underestimate how much protection a few thick layers can provide.

Use Floor Runners:

Hardwood and tile floors are especially vulnerable during a move. Lay down protective floor runners in high-traffic paths, like hallways and entryways. Canvas, rubber-backed rugs, or cardboard sheets secured with painter’s tape can all get the job done. Just make sure they don’t slide around—safety first!

Guard the Doorways:

Door frames are high-risk zones during a move. Protect them by using temporary padding, foam bumpers, or even thick cardboard taped in place. This helps prevent dents and paint scratches when large furniture is moved through narrow entries or awkward angles.

Add Sliders and Pads to Furniture:

Before lifting anything, add felt pads or furniture sliders to the bottoms of heavy pieces. Sliders make it easier to move bulky items without scraping the floor. Felt pads also provide a long-term solution once your furniture is in place to avoid future damage from shifting.

Smart Packing and Stacking Strategies

How you pack your boxes can also make a difference. Avoid overpacking boxes to the point where they’re too heavy or hard to control. Distribute weight evenly so you can carry them without bumping into doorways or walls. Always hold boxes close to your body to maintain control.

Move With Care: Techniques That Prevent Damage

Measure First, Move Second:

Before you try to move anything large, measure doorways, stairwells, and hallways. Make sure your furniture will actually fit. If it’s a tight squeeze, consider disassembling pieces ahead of time. This avoids the temptation to “force” items through and risk major scuffs or scrapes.

Get Help and Communicate:

Don’t try to do it all yourself. Having a second (or third) set of hands makes it easier to lift heavy furniture and steer it carefully. Communicate clearly with your helpers when turning corners or navigating tight spaces—coordination can make all the difference.

Lift Correctly:

Use proper lifting techniques: bend at your knees, keep your back straight, and lift with your legs. Not only does this prevent injury, but it also gives you better control over the item you’re carrying, reducing the chance of accidental bumps.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race:

Take your time. Rushing through a move is a recipe for accidents. Carefully maneuver large pieces and always pause before making a tricky turn. A slower pace helps you stay mindful and precise.

Disassemble When Needed:

Break down large or awkward furniture to make it easier to carry. Remove legs from tables, take apart bed frames, and pack hardware in labeled bags so reassembly is a breeze.

After the Move: Keep Your Home Protected

Even after everything’s inside, keep protecting your space as you unpack:

• Don’t drag boxes across the floor—lift and carry them to where they need to go. 
• Use sliders when rearranging furniture. 
• Add rugs or mats in high-traffic areas to prevent long-term wear on your floors. 

Protecting your floors and walls during a move doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right prep, smart tools, and a little patience, you can move into your new place without leaving damage behind. Take the time to safeguard your home now, and you’ll enjoy a smoother, stress-free transition, with beautiful floors and clean walls to show for it.

To have a smooth moving experience, visit UNITS® Moving and Portable Storage of Detroit or give us a call at (248) 617-0567 today!