Think you need to empty everything out before the movers arrive? Relax—it’s not a hard and fast rule to unload every desk and dresser drawer. Sure, in theory, less weight should make things easier on your movers. But in reality, taking the time to box all of those smaller items up can just slow down your move in the prep stage instead of speeding things up on actual moving day. You don’t want to put yourself through more work than necessary. After all, that’s why you’ve hired a moving company!
The Myth of “Everything Must Be Emptied”
Today, professional movers are used to handling fully or partially loaded furniture. So the idea that every single drawer needs to be emptied really just comes from a place of caution. When it makes sense, good movers will definitely take note and pull out the drawers to safely handle your belongings. But in general, as long as those extra-heavy items are taken out, you should be good to leave the rest of the drawers as-is.
At Colt Moving, the focus is always on efficiency—just as much as safety. We avoid unnecessary extra steps because we want to keep your move streamlined and on-track. In turn, we hope you do the same! Emptying every drawer just for the sake of it can add hours of packing time before the move even begins.
When Drawers Can Stay Full
In most cases, it’s perfectly fine to leave certain items in the furniture drawers. Your clothes, linens, and other lightweight, non-fragile items can usually stay where they are. Dressers are typically moved as a whole unit, and keeping those types of items inside can actually save time on both ends of the move. It’s about keeping the “handling” to a minimum. Instead of packing and labeling boxes, then having your movers load and unload them just so you can unpack those same items in your new space, you can often just keep them where they already belong so there’s less time spent on moving!
What Should Always Be Removed
That said, not everything should stay in place. Items that are fragile or valuable should always be taken out. You can transport valuables in your own vehicle, and then pack up fragile pieces in their own secure box.
Overloaded drawers can also create problems. If it’s clear that your dresser with all of your winter sweaters is stuffed and won’t shut properly, you might want to toss a few in a box so the drawers can stay closed during the move. When a piece of furniture gets too heavy or is just hard to carry safely because it’s bursting open, that can increase the risk of damage to items and the home. The goal is to reduce risk so the move can get carried out with minimal effort.
Putting It All Together for Your Move
There’s a bit of a balancing act with any move. Fortunately, experienced movers will be able to make judgment calls on-site based on what’s safest and most efficient for handling your belongings. A slightly heavier piece that’s stable and manageable is usually fine. On the flip side, when it’s packed tightly with bulkier items, you might need to partially or fully empty it out.
The goal isn’t to do more work—it’s to do the right work. Every extra step in a move adds time. That’s why focusing on what actually improves speed and safety is the name of the game. You don’t have to empty everything to have a successful move. Just do your best and we’ll take care of the rest!