Do I need to empty drawers for movers?
Most of the time, you don't need to empty drawers for movers. You can leave light, soft things like clothes or linens in solid, well-built drawers, as long as the piece stays upright and the drawers are taped shut. Empty them when the furniture is fragile, flat-pack, or heavy, when there's anything breakable or valuable inside, or when the piece has to go up stairs or tip on its side.
When you can leave drawers full
Sometimes full drawers are fine. It saves you a bit of packing, and it keeps the contents together. Here's when it's usually safe:
- The furniture is solid wood or well-built.
- The contents are light — clothing, linens, or paper.
- The piece will stay upright the whole way.
- The drawers can be taped shut. Tape the drawer to itself or the frame, not onto bare wood, because the glue can mark the finish.
At BBX, we check this on your walkthrough. If it's safe for the furniture and the crew, we'll move it as-is. Not sure how big a job it is? Our guide to how many movers you need helps you plan the day.
When should you empty drawers for movers?
Empty the drawers when the load or the furniture makes it risky. Heavy drawers strain the joints. A fragile or flat-pack piece can pull apart. Anything valuable can go missing or get crushed. So clear them out when:
- The furniture is fragile, old, or flat-pack — think IKEA.
- The drawers hold heavy or sharp things, like books, tools, or electronics.
- The drawers won't stay shut, or they're overfilled.
- The piece has to go up stairs or tip on its side.
Keep cash, documents, jewellery, and anything breakable out of drawers entirely. Pack those separately, and keep them with you on move day.
What about office moves and filing cabinets?
Office furniture follows the same idea, with a couple of extras:
- Filing cabinets with wheels can usually stay full. They're built to roll, so just secure the drawers.
- Filing cabinets without wheels should be emptied, especially tall or multi-drawer ones. Full, they're a lifting hazard.
- Desks and sideboards: clear the loose stuff so nothing shifts inside.
Moving a whole office of files? BBX rents labelled plastic bins that roll right alongside your furniture, so your team isn't re-boxing anything.
The BBX lift test
Not sure about a piece? Try this. Gently lift one side. If it feels off-balance, heavier than you expected, or wobbly, empty it. If it lifts clean and stays solid, it can probably travel as-is.
Why movers care what's in your drawers
When something shifts mid-move, things break — furniture, floors, or a mover's hands. So we plan down to the drawer, because that's how we protect your furniture, your belongings, and our crew. If there's a smarter way to handle a piece, we'll tell you. If you'd rather not think about it, we'll handle it. And if packing is the part you'd rather skip, BBX can pack your whole home or office, drawer by drawer.
Whoever you hire, it's worth choosing a professional, insured mover — for example, a member of the Canadian Association of Movers. For a sense of what to load and in what order, see our guide on what should go first when you're moving.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to empty drawers for a local move?
For a short local move, solid furniture with light, soft contents can usually travel with the drawers taped shut. Empty anything fragile, heavy, or valuable first.
Should you empty drawers for a long-distance move?
Yes, more often. Over a long haul, contents shift more, so empty the drawers on anything fragile, heavy, or flat-pack.
Can you leave clothes in dresser drawers when moving?
Usually yes, if the dresser is solid and stays upright. Clothes are light and won't shift much. Tape the drawers shut so they don't slide open in transit.
What should never go in a drawer during a move?
Cash, documents, jewellery, and anything breakable. Pack those separately, and keep them with you.
Not sure what to empty and what can ride as-is?
We'll walk your place, tell you exactly what stays and what goes, and give you a clear plan for move day. BBX Moving serves Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North & West Vancouver, Delta, Langley, and New Westminster. Call 604-323-0020 or request a quote at bbxmoving.com.
Related reading:
• How Many Movers Do I Need?
• When Moving, What Should Go First?
• How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers in Vancouver?