Your trust deserves the greatest care.

Protection begins with observation

Before preparing furniture, we need to understand its construction. Painted wood, glass, mirrors, fabrics and polished surfaces respond differently to contact and handling. Edges, handles and protruding parts may need specific attention. Point out loose elements, previous repairs and known features. Understanding the furniture's condition separates pre-existing issues from moving requirements.

Shape matters as much as material. A removable tabletop, a slim console and a sofa with detachable feet need different preparation. Dimensions, weight, handling points and the route matter for each. Care includes deciding in advance, rather than when furniture is already at a doorway with little room to assess options.

Suitable materials, used properly

Cardboard, protective materials and covers serve different purposes: separating surfaces, protecting corners or containing objects. Selection depends on the item and planned stages, including storage. More material does not automatically mean better protection. Preparation must stay stable, account for delicate parts and leave packages clearly manageable for the team.

If packing yourself, discuss materials with us before starting. Weakened containers, poor bases and misshapen boxes need checking. Closures must suit the contents and weight. Assess compatibility before applying adhesive to delicate finishes. Think about unpacking too, so removing protection does not complicate setting up your new home.

Plates, glasses and fragile items

Kitchens contain crockery, small appliances, containers and irregular accessories. Fragile items need limited direct contact and movement inside a suitably strong box. Empty space and unbalanced contents can make packages unstable. Consider the whole box, rather than just protection for each glass or plate.

Boxes must remain manageable and identifiable. “Kitchen, fragile” is useful but cannot replace proper packing. Show us particularly valuable or unusually shaped pieces in advance. Where fragile-item packing is included, agree which items the team will prepare and which remain your responsibility, so time and materials match the planned work.

Dismantling while keeping components organised

Dismantling does more than reduce size: it must allow components to be managed and found again for reassembly. Keep doors, shelves, fittings and accessories linked to their original furniture. Screws and small parts should not become mixed with unrelated items. Orderly preparation makes the next stage clearer and helps identify missing or already damaged components.

Not all furniture needs complete dismantling. The decision depends on construction, access and agreed work. Bespoke pieces may need closer assessment; others need only limited work. Original instructions can help. Tell us about alterations or unusual assembly, especially if furniture was adapted to the old home and no longer matches its original configuration.

Care for access routes and rooms

Protecting furniture also means considering doors, corridors, stairs and landings along the route. Before starting, identify access space and any protection needed for the building. Objects, loose rugs or ongoing building materials can obstruct movement. Pointing these out and arranging the area helps the team work in an orderly way.

Access varies widely between Milan buildings. Small lifts, tight turns on stairs or courtyards far from the street need specific assessment. If considering a furniture lift, check suitable outside space and openings. Equipment is chosen for the actual job, not just the floor number or the apparent size of one item.

Fabrics, mattresses and exposed surfaces

Sofas, armchairs and mattresses need preparation suited to their materials and size. Mention delicate upholstery, removable parts or internal mechanisms. A sofa bed, for example, differs from a simple frame. Coordinate protection with the carrying method and route, rather than judging only by outward appearance.

One item may have several exposed finishes: polished tops, glass inserts, lacquered edges and metal parts. Consider where these may touch other elements. Share sensitive features and available manufacturer instructions during planning. Knowing the belongings and agreeing their treatment is more useful than assuming generic protection can solve every situation.

Working together when packing is shared

You may pack some boxes while the team handles furniture or fragile items. Divide these tasks clearly. State which rooms will be ready, which belongings must remain accessible and where non-moving items are grouped. If boxes were sealed long ago, check at least the labels and flag contents needing attention.

Avoid contradictory labels: a box marked “books” but containing glass does not help the person carrying it. Say openly if the contents are unknown. There is no need to reopen everything without reason, but share what you know. Contact us before moving day if needs differ from the quote, so preparation and services can be reassessed.

Photographs taken before preparation can help record furniture layouts, accessories and details to discuss when agreeing the work.

Care continues through to delivery

Protection stays in place for as long as the agreed work requires. Coordinate removal and sorting of components with unloading and reassembly. Agree who will handle empty boxes and used materials; collection is not automatically included. Knowing how the job ends helps prepare your new home and assign responsibility for remaining tasks.

For DUDA Traslochi, care involves details that can be checked: materials chosen for the items, shared information, organised components and agreed tasks. Tell us which furniture you are moving in Milan and how much preparation support you need. We can assess packing, dismantling and handling together, matching the service to what you entrust to us and how you want to find it in your new home.

Explore the service: packing for removals in Milan →