Your books are in boxes, your clothes are in suitcases, and you're ready for your big move. The only thing left to prepare is your furniture. Moving furniture doesn't require the same amount of effort as painstakingly packing every plate or cup, but it does benefit from a little preparation. Follow these simple steps to get furniture ready for removal.

Know what you've got

The first step in any move is to take an inventory of everything that you'll need to transport. Make a list of everything you intend to take with you. Not only will it provide you with a helpful to-do list during the packing process, but it'll also be useful when discussing the move with your removals firm.

Have the right tools 

Much of your furniture can be moved in one piece, but there are some things that will be easier to disassemble before moving. Make sure you have the necessary screwdrivers and other tools for the job. You'll also want some small, resealable plastic bags, as well as labels and marker pens. You may find that a large roll of plastic wrap will come in handy as well.

Empty it out

Make sure that all of your drawers and cabinets are empty before moving them. For smaller items of furniture, it may be possible to simply hold their drawers shut with plastic wrap, but you still run the risk of damaging the contents during shipping. If you know that you're just going to refill the drawer as soon as you arrive, empty its contents into a single bag and label it clearly.

Disassemble

Some pieces of furniture will be easier to move if they're taken apart. If you're in doubt as to whether you should disassemble something, ask your furniture removalists. This could involve taking the legs off a desk, removing shelves from a bookcase, or unscrewing the doors from a cabinet. Put all small parts such as screws or shelf brackets in a small plastic bag and label them clearly. You could even tape the bag to the inside of the piece of furniture to be certain it won't get lost.

Wrap to protect

Even the gentlest move presents some risk of scratching furniture, especially in the case of large, flat surfaces like tables or desks. To protect your furniture, wrap it in a layer of padding using a furniture blanket. You can use old bedding you don't mind getting dirty, but your furniture removalist may also be able to offer you padded blankets.

Once you've followed these steps — as well as any other advice from your removalist — you're ready to go. Make sure you have any tools you need for reassembling furniture when you arrive, then sit back, relax and leave the rest to the movers.