IKEA Moving Checklist: What to Remove, Label, and Protect

Find the original assembly manual (IKEA keeps all manuals at ikea.com — search the product name).

Buy a box of small zip-lock bags and a marker. You will use both.

Clear a large open space to work — you need room to lay panels flat.

Take photos of the assembled piece from multiple angles before touching anything.

Note which side panels go left and right — mark them lightly with tape if needed.

Empty the piece completely. Remove all contents, shelves, and drawers.

Remove doors and drawer fronts first — they are the easiest to damage during frame disassembly.

Work in reverse assembly order. Start at the last step in the manual and work backward.

Remove cam locks slowly, in the release direction (usually counterclockwise). Feel for the release point.

Support panels before releasing the last fastener — unsupported panels fall and chip edges.

Do not force anything. Resistance means you are doing something wrong, not that you need more force.

Keep cam locks, bolts, dowels, and screws from each furniture section in separate bags.

Write the section or step number on each bag — "left side panel cam locks," "drawer slide screws," etc.

Keep all bags for one piece of furniture in a single larger zip-lock or labeled envelope.

Tape the hardware bag collection to the largest panel of that piece — it stays with the furniture.

Do not combine hardware from different pieces of furniture in the same bag.

Wrap each panel in a moving blanket or furniture pad — never stack bare panels.

Pack panels flat, not standing upright. MDF panels that travel vertically flex and crack at screw holes.

Do not stack heavy items on top of wrapped panels.

Thin back panels are the most fragile. Wrap them separately and mark the package fragile.

Keep small panels together in a bundle — they shift and get lost when packed individually.

Do not transport assembled IKEA furniture if you can avoid it. The joints are designed for static loads, not road vibration.

If transporting assembled (e.g., a small table), secure it so it cannot shift or tip. Tipping stress on joints is how they fail.

Blankets between furniture pieces prevent scratching the foil coating, which peels once broken.

Inspect every cam lock insert — press it and check that it does not spin freely in the hole.

Check every screw hole for damage. Stripped holes need toothpick-and-glue repair before reassembly.

Check back panels for cracks along the groove line — this is where they fail during transport.

Replace damaged cam locks or fasteners before reassembling. Forcing damaged hardware makes the problem permanent.

Check IKEA assembly time before starting — know what you are getting into so you can plan the day properly.