Instructions on how to properly disassemble a closet and things in it for moving or rearranging

It can be difficult to move or rearrange furniture, particularly when taking apart a closet. Knowing how to disassemble a closet correctly can save you time and aggravation when moving to a new place or just organizing your existing area.

It’s crucial to get ready by cleaning out and organizing the closet before you begin. This will simplify the disassembly process and allow you to decide what to keep, donate, or throw away in addition to providing an opportunity to declutter. The task will be much easier to handle if you work in a room that is organized and clear.

Next, assemble the required equipment. For most closets, a simple toolkit consisting of pliers, a hammer, and screwdrivers should be adequate. In case your closet is exceptionally spacious or intricate, a drill might also be necessary. To prevent unneeded disruptions, make sure you have everything ready before starting.

Take out the closet doors first. Depending on the kind of closet you have, this step may change. Take sliding doors off their tracks by lifting them. Remove the hinges from the door frame if it has hinges. After removing the doors, you can proceed to removing the interior parts, like the rods and shelves. To make sure you don’t lose any parts, carefully unscrew or unclip these components, keeping all hardware in a labeled container.

Now that the interior parts are out of the way, you can concentrate on taking the frame apart. Proceed methodically, undoing screws and carefully splitting components apart as necessary. Having a friend help you is beneficial, particularly when handling larger or heavier parts. You might want to reassemble the closet later, so take your time and use caution to prevent breaking the materials.

You can successfully disassemble your closet and facilitate a smoother move or reorganization project by following these steps. Recall that cautious handling and a little preparation go a long way toward guaranteeing your furniture lasts for many years.

Step	Instructions
1	Empty the closet completely, starting with the top shelves and working your way down.
2	Sort items into categories: keep, donate, or discard.
3	Remove all drawers and shelves. Keep the screws and brackets in labeled bags.
4	Unscrew any door hinges and remove the doors. Place the screws in labeled bags.
5	If the closet is modular, disassemble it piece by piece. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions if available.
6	Wrap each piece of the closet in moving blankets or bubble wrap for protection.
7	Label each piece to make reassembly easier later on.
8	Pack and label the sorted items from the closet in boxes.

How to quickly and correctly do it yourself: instructions

Whatever the design, the following procedures are involved in disassembly:

1. Removing shelves.
2. Door dismantling.
3. Separating the sides, roof, bottom, rear wall from each other.
4. Leg compartment.

Extra actions:

1. Dismantling of fittings.
2. Removing mirrors.

Required Tools

To dismantle the master, the following are required:

• A screwdriver, or better yet a screwdriver with reverse and corresponding set of bits (at least cross and flat).
• Chisel or wide flathead screwdriver – for removing tightly fitting elements.
• A hammer, or better yet a mallet for separating elements mounted on spikes from each other.
• Ticks – for dismantling elements connected with nails.
• Awl – for some specific work.

Stages of dismantling an old Soviet wardrobe

Screws, dowels, and eccentrics were typically used in the assembly of cabinets and wardrobes made in the 1970s and earlier. There are multiple steps involved in disassembling them, starting with removal:

• shelves;
• boxes;
• crossbars;
• doors.

1. Emptying the cabinet from its contents.
2. Removing shelves that are simply lying on their holders.
3. Removing drawers.
4. Unscrewing the fasteners of those shelves that are screwed down and removing them.
5. Removing the crossbars and supports for them: a chisel is usually enough to remove the plastic supports from the milled holes.
6. Unscrewing door hinge fasteners and removing them.

They then start taking the case apart. Here, the kind of fastenings must be taken into account:

• If the body is assembled on eccentrics, then use a screwdriver (a screwdriver is not needed here) to loosen the tie. To do this, you need to rotate the central element of the eccentric counterclockwise, and then, carefully prying it with a screwdriver, remove the element from the groove. Then a few light blows with a mallet are enough to separate the cabinet elements from each other.
• The fastening on a metal shackle and screw can be disassembled with an awl. The point is inserted into the hole, fixes the arc, and the screw is unscrewed. The bow is removed, then the panels usually separate on their own.
• The joints on the spikes are disassembled with a mallet. It is necessary, having carefully examined the structure, to understand which tenons of which element fit into the grooves of the other, then strike the joint several times, separating the panels from each other.
• The back wall is usually fixed with small nails. They disassemble it by carefully prying up the plywood wall with a chisel, slightly raising and lowering it. Carnations that have come out of their nests are removed with pincers or pliers.

Whether the furniture is intended to be disposed of or will be collected somewhere else will determine the final step of the project.

• If assembly is intended, then all small parts (fasteners, fittings) are laid out in bags, observing the principle of uniformity (screws to screws, corners to corners) or commonality (say, hinges with screws are placed in one bag). It is advisable to include a note in each package indicating what kind of parts they are and what structural element they belong to. After this, all that remains is to pack the parts so that you can begin transportation.
• For disposal It is better to further separate the parts by removing glass and metal elements, which will be disposed of in a different way than wood or chipboard.

Built-in

The process outlined is essentially the same as that used to disassemble a built-in wardrobe. But bear in mind that while such furniture is stable when it is immobile, it is preferable to wait to move it until the very end.

The disassembly process will proceed as follows:

1. Removing sliding doors. To do this, they need to be slightly lifted up, then carefully moved to the side so that the rollers come off the upper support rail. Then just move the doors to the side: they will come off the bottom rail on their own.
2. If the cabinet is a premium class with a closer, then first you need to unscrew the fastener of the closer to the door leaf. It is better not to remove the mechanism itself from the box: this will make it easier to mount the structure again.
3. Removing the upper and lower guides (rails). To do this, you need to unscrew the screws securing them and remove the parts to the side.
4. Then comes the time of the shelves. Those lying loosely on the shelf holders are lifted and removed, and those fixed to the corners are unscrewed.
5. By unscrewing the screws of the guides or bending their stopper with a screwdriver, dismantle the drawers.
6. The ties connecting the cabinet parts are unscrewed and the inner walls are removed.
7. The cabinet is carefully placed on the floor with the front side down, the back wall is dismantled (if it is on studs). If it is made of the same material as the partitions, then first unscrew the tie screws.
8. The confirmations are unscrewed, the planes of the case are separated.
9. Dowels and other small parts are removed.

All that’s left to do is begin packing the parts and sorting the fittings and fasteners into bags.

The process of taking apart a built-in wardrobe is demonstrated in the video:

Wardrobe doors and fittings

Generally, it is not worth the effort to disassemble compartment doors because, when combined with the mechanisms, they occupy little additional space and require a lot of labor.

However, if you have to dismantle the door itself, you do it like this:

1. After removing the door leaf from the guides, screw together (preferably with a screwdriver) the stoppers and closers (if any).
2. The upper and lower guides are unscrewed from the box.
3. The upper and lower roller blocks are unscrewed from the door leaf.
4. Use a chisel or flat screwdriver to dismantle the side profiles.

It is possible to remove a mirror that is installed on the door leaf. But this is a complicated process, and how the mirror is attached will determine how it is disassembled:

• If it is installed on clamps, the clamps are bent and the glass is removed.
• If double-sided tape was used, then the tip of a screwdriver is carefully inserted into the gap between the canvas and the mirror. Using it as a lever, you need to very slowly, carefully separate the canvas and glass.
• If glue was used, it is better not to do anything. The probability of removing the mirror completely much lower than the probability of breaking it.

The method of dissecting the door-wreck is demonstrated in the video:

How to move or transfer a wardrobe without unwinding?

The compartment is typically located in a small space’s hallways and other rooms; it is particularly useful to have no swing doors in these areas. But this room isn’t always suitable for dismantling because you have to move the furniture first. Due to the difficulty of this work, at least two people will be needed. This is how the process appears:

1. The cabinet is freed from its contents.
2. Doors are dismantled. This is usually the most heavy element in the design. If there is no way to remove them even, we miss the item.
3. One side of the body rises slightly, on weight is transferred a few centimeters to the side.
4. The operation is repeated until the cabinet is on the device for movement.
5. Then they move it where necessary. You need to move at least together: one person pulls or pushes, the second holds the structure vertically so that it does not fall.

You can use the following as a mobility aid:

• Furniture. They are a small platform with rollers, which is substituted at one of the corners. You can buy a cart in construction stores or ordered on sites such as "Aliexpress". Typically, such a roller trolley withstands a load of up to 200 kg.
• Large sheet of cardboard, and preferably dense plastic. He should slide on the floor, preventing the bottom of the bottom to scratch the coating.
• Large pieces of dense woolen fabric (Old sweater cut along old woolen socks, scarves). Most of the floor coverings, the wool slides well.
• Old grandfather"s method – felt boots. At one time they were put on the legs, and then moved, without even taking out things.
• Raw potatoes. The cabinet glides well on it, but the floors will have to be washed later: the potatoes will be crushed into mush.

Dismantling the corner

Its stability during disassembly makes it unique; practically all tasks can be completed without tipping it over. This is how the procedure appears:

1. They take out things and other contents.
2. The doors are removed using a screwdriver.
3. The shelves lying loosely on the supports are removed.
4. Drawers are removed, if any.
5. The fasteners are unscrewed, the internal partitions are removed.
6. Horizontal and vertical surfaces are separated from each other.

It’s not a very difficult process; it’s more like taking apart a regular cabinet.

Ikea models

Ikea furniture is similar to other models in terms of design, but there are a few details that should be taken extra care of. Take the parsing of the Pax model, for instance:

1. Furniture is freed from things.
2. The floor around is covered with paper or film so as not to scratch the coating.
3. Shelves are removed, rods are removed.
4. The closer is disconnected.
5. The limiters are unlocked and the door is removed from the guides.
6. Remove the plugs from the outer door, unscrew the screws, and remove the strip. Then the lower screws are unscrewed and the plates are removed.
7. The door is retractable.
8. Aluminum profile comes apart.
9. The frame is carefully removed.
10. The wooden structure is dismantled. There are no differences here from furniture of other brands.

How to pack for moving?

Moving furniture with items inside is not advised. Shelves and drawers may come free of the stops and guides because the design is not intended for dynamic loads. The boxes can, however, be utilized as packaging receptacles. This is accomplished by carefully packing items inside of the boxes, wrapping the box in film, and fastening it with tape or twine.

How to prepare your belongings for moving:

• Fittings, fasteners, small parts are placed in bags.
• Doors without glass and mirrors, horizontal and vertical elements of the box are wrapped with fabric or thick paper.
• Glass or mirror elements are packed in bubble film.

The components are folded in the transport during the actual move, placing the heaviest components at the bottom.

This video demonstrates how to move furniture and pack it:

It doesn’t have to be difficult to disassemble a closet and its contents for moving or rearrangement. You can ensure a smooth and efficient process by planning ahead and utilizing the appropriate tools. Don’t forget to begin by completely emptying the closet, going through your belongings, and selecting what to donate, keep, or throw away. This first step helps you declutter as well as facilitate disassembly.

Next, assemble all required equipment, including packing materials, a hammer, and screwdrivers. Disassemble the closet carefully, making sure to label all screws and small parts so you don’t lose them. Adopting a methodical approach, such as disassembling everything from top to bottom, guarantees that you won’t overlook any steps and aids in maintaining equilibrium while working.

Carefully pack the disassembled components and the contents of the closet. In order to prevent damage to your items during transit, use the proper packing materials. You’ll save time and effort when reassembling the closet in its new location if you clearly label each box. You can complete the task with confidence and ease if you follow these steps.

It’s important to take your time and maintain organization throughout. By using this method, you can lessen the stress of moving or rearranging your belongings while also maintaining the condition of your closet. Whether you’re moving to a new house or just rearranging a room, following these instructions will make the disassembly process go smoothly and successfully.

Although rearranging or moving a closet can seem like a difficult task, it can be made manageable and even simple with a clear plan and some helpful advice. This tutorial will take you through all the necessary steps to disassemble your closet correctly and arrange its contents, making the process easy and stress-free. Whether you’re moving or simply rearranging your room, following these guidelines will help you protect your possessions, prevent damage, and simplify reassembly.

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