If you can't move furniture out of the room completely, move it to the center and cover it thoroughly.
Here's a breakdown of how to move furniture when preparing to paint a room:
1. The Ideal Scenario: Remove Furniture Completely
- The best approach is to move all furniture out of the room you're painting. This provides you with unobstructed access to the walls and protects your belongings from paint splatters.
2. If You Can't Remove the Furniture:
- Move to the Center: If removing the furniture isn't possible, carefully move all items to the center of the room. This creates a perimeter around the walls, giving you space to work.
- Cover Everything Thoroughly: The next crucial step is to protect your furniture. Use high-quality plastic sheeting or thick drop cloths to completely cover each piece. Secure the coverings with tape to prevent slippage.
- Elevate if Possible: Where practical, elevate furniture slightly (using wood blocks, for instance) to allow the drop cloth to fully cover the legs and bottom edges. This further protects against paint drips.
3. Specific Considerations:
- Large or Bulky Items: For extremely large or heavy items that are difficult to move, focus on protecting them meticulously. Consider using multiple layers of protection.
- Delicate Items: Wrap fragile items (lamps, mirrors, artwork) separately with moving blankets or bubble wrap before covering with plastic.
- Flooring Protection: Don't forget to protect your floors! Use drop cloths or painter's plastic to cover the entire floor area around the perimeter of the room.
4. Essential Supplies:
- Drop Cloths: Canvas drop cloths are reusable and more environmentally friendly. Plastic drop cloths are lighter and can be easier to manage, but consider their disposal.
- Painter's Tape: Use painter's tape to secure drop cloths and plastic sheeting and to protect trim and other surfaces you don't want to paint.
- Moving Blankets: Protect delicate items from scratches and bumps.
- Furniture Sliders: These can help you move heavy furniture more easily.
5. Important Tips:
- Take Pictures: Before moving anything, take "before" pictures. This helps you remember where everything goes when you're done painting.
- Clear a Path: Ensure there's a clear path for moving furniture, both inside and outside the room.
- Get Help: Don't hesitate to ask for help moving heavy items.
- Work Methodically: Move furniture carefully and deliberately to avoid damaging it or the surrounding walls and floors.
By following these steps, you can effectively protect your furniture while painting, ensuring a clean and damage-free outcome.
