Not always.
If a chest of drawers is sturdy and only contains lightweight clothing, it may be possible to leave some items inside. However, heavy, fragile, loose or valuable belongings should usually be removed before the furniture is moved.
The safest option depends on what is inside the drawers, how the furniture is constructed and how it needs to be carried out of the property.
Can You Leave Clothes in Drawers When Moving?
Sometimes, yes.
Lightweight clothing such as T-shirts, jumpers and underwear may be fine to leave inside a solid chest of drawers, particularly if the furniture is easy to move and the drawers can be kept secure.
The important word there is lightweight.
A few clothes are very different from drawers filled with books, paperwork or other heavy belongings. Extra weight can make furniture much harder to lift and carry safely.
If you’re unsure, mention it to your removal company before moving day.
What Should You Take Out of Drawers?
We would recommend removing anything that is: heavy, fragile, valuable, loose, breakable or likely to spill.
That could include books, glassware, jewellery, important paperwork, bottles, toiletries and small loose objects.
These are normally better packed separately in suitable boxes where they can be protected during the move.
Why Does the Weight of the Drawers Matter?
Furniture can become much heavier than expected once every drawer is full.
A chest of drawers that is manageable when empty may become awkward or unsafe to carry if several drawers are packed with heavy items.
Movers may also need to tilt or turn furniture to get it through doors, along hallways or down stairs.
Keeping heavy belongings separate can therefore make the furniture easier to handle and reduce the chance of damage.
What About Flat-Pack or Lightweight Furniture?
This is where we would be more cautious.
Flat-pack furniture and lighter units may not be as strong as solid timber furniture, particularly when they are being lifted and carried.
Adding extra weight inside the drawers can put more pressure on the joints and fixings.
If the furniture already feels lightweight, flexible or fragile, emptying the drawers completely is usually the safer approach.
Should You Remove the Drawers Themselves?
You normally do not need to start dismantling furniture or removing every drawer unless your removal company asks you to.
In some cases, taking drawers out temporarily can make a piece of furniture lighter and easier to carry.
However, the best approach depends on the furniture itself, so it is usually better to let the movers decide how they want to handle it rather than dismantling everything beforehand.
What Should You Do Before Moving Day?
If you want to make things easier for the removals team:
- Remove heavy and fragile items from drawers
- Pack valuables separately
- Make sure loose items cannot fall out
- Tell your movers about particularly heavy furniture
- Mention any flat-pack or fragile pieces
- Ask if you are unsure whether something should be emptied
Not Sure How to Prepare Your Furniture?
If you have large wardrobes, chests of drawers or other bulky furniture and you are not sure what needs emptying or dismantling, let us know before moving day.
At Moved Removals, we can talk through what you have and help you prepare your furniture for the move so there are fewer surprises when the van arrives.
