Size boxes by count, but size furniture by footprint. A three-seat sofa claims about 18 sq ft of floor you cannot stack on (upholstery crushes), a double mattress wants to stand on edge in a cover, and a dining table earns its keep only with the legs off.
Quick footprint guide
- Three-seat sofa: about 18 sq ft, nothing stacked on top.
- Double bed, dismantled: 10 sq ft standing on edge; keep the bolts taped to the frame.
- Wardrobe: 6 sq ft and it stores things inside itself; fill it.
- Dining table, legs off: 8 sq ft vertical against a wall; blanket between the leaves.
- Washing machine: 4 sq ft; drain it fully and leave the door ajar against mould.
A one-bed flat's furniture plus 20 boxes lands around 50 sq ft, about £137 a month at the UK average. Mixed loads suit units; if the furniture is only a mattress and a chair, a collection service's named-item pricing (£14.95 an item, £24.95 for bulky pieces) can still beat a unit.
Prep that prevents the claim
- Clean and bone dry before it goes in; trapped damp is the storage killer.
- Wax wooden surfaces, then blanket them. Bubble wrap traps condensation against varnish.
- Stand sofas on their feet, never on an arm.
- Leave appliance doors open and seals dry.