Take the frame apart, put every bolt and fitting in a bag and tape that bag firmly to the frame, then wrap the pieces with the corners padded and keep them all together, clearly labelled. The mattress travels separately in its own cover. Done this way, every piece and every screw is waiting for you when it’s time to put the bed back together.
Taking it apart
- Strip the bed and lift the mattress off first.
- Take a photo or two before you start. They’re a handy guide when you rebuild it.
- Find the assembly instructions if you still have them, or look up the model online, and keep the right tools to hand.
- Undo the fixings and put them straight into a sealable bag as they come out, with any small tool the bed needs, such as an Allen key.
- Label the bag (“double bed, spare room”) and tape it securely to the headboard or a side rail, so it can’t go astray. If the instructions are on paper, slip them in the bag too.
Wrapping the pieces
- Headboard and footboard: wrap in a furniture blanket, with foam corner protectors on the corners and any carved or glossy edges.
- Side rails: tape them together in a bundle, with a blanket or cover around them, so they travel and store as one.
- Slats: roll-up slats can be rolled and taped; loose slats can be stacked and taped in a bundle.
- A divan base: cover it with a blanket or dust cover and keep it on its feet.
- Under-bed drawers: empty them, or tape them shut and treat them as a box.
Make sure everything is completely dry before it’s covered. For wood, breathable covers are best for a longer stay, as they let air move.
In your storage unit
Long, flat pieces like rails and headboards are best loaded early, along the back or side wall, where they make a steady base and stay out of your way. Keep all the parts of one bed together, off the floor on a pallet or boards, and lean nothing heavy against a headboard. If you have more than one bed, label each part with its bed’s name so you’re not matching rails later.
For the mattress, our guide to storing a mattress covers bags, airflow and whether to lay it flat.
Getting the kit
Our Box Shop sells transit blankets, foam corner protectors, tape and mattress covers, delivered to your door. Free trolleys at our sites make light work of carrying the pieces in.
When you know what you’re storing, get a price online, or call us on 0800 2545585 and we’ll help you choose a size.
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