How to pack a bed
Without suitable packaging, even if the courier is careful, transport can cause damage to your bed. This page outlines the steps to protect a bed before transport.
Why packaging is essential
An object that’s not well protected can arrive scratched, damaged, or broken, even if the carrier is as careful as possible.
With Cocolis, your items travel with individuals or professionals on journeys they're already making. They are handled during loading, in transit, and unloading—each a moment where good packaging makes all the difference.
An object can arrive scratched, broken, or incomplete. These situations are rare but avoidable and almost never happen when an item is properly packed from the start.
Prepare your bed before packing
Find the bed frame assembly instructions before taking the bed apart – they’ll be essential for reassembling it. If you don’t have them, take photos of each stage as you dismantle the bed. Make sure all components are in good condition: a split bar or weakened joint will not withstand transport. For storage beds, empty the storage compartment completely before moving.
This is also a good moment to gather your materials and plan the right protection for each part. Good packaging preparation happens before you start, not as you go along.
Steps to pack a bed
- Completely dismantle the bed: headboard, footboard, slats, and the bed base if possible. A well-dismantled bed is much easier to protect and transport, whether it’s a single bed, a double bed, a 140x190 bed, or a 160x200 bed.
- Collect all screws and fittings in a clearly labelled bag and attach it to one of the bed’s components.
- Protect long parts like bars and the bed frame with cardboard or stretch film, paying particular attention to the ends as they are exposed to impacts.
- Cover visible surfaces like the headboard and footboard with cardboard secured with tape, making sure the tape only touches the cardboard.
- Bundle the slats together using tape or string to prevent them from scattering.
Good habits to know
The essential points to avoid problems during transport
Adapt packaging to the item
Packaging isn’t universal. Take into account the fragility, weight, and shape of your bed to choose the right protection – the main thing is that the item is well protected during transport.
Don’t seal the packaging too soon
Leave your bed visible when the courier arrives. They must be able to check its condition before taking charge and take photos with and without protection. Seal the packaging only afterwards.
Take photos before shipping
Photograph your item before and after packing. In case of a problem, these photos are your only evidence of its initial condition.
Inform about special requirements
Some items have specific requirements: must be kept upright, particular handling direction, extra fragility. Clearly inform the courier about these before departure.
Never stick tape on surfaces
Brown tape can leave marks or damage finishes. Never stick it directly to an item – always use an intermediate layer.
Frequent mistakes & things to watch out for
Some mistakes happen regularly and explain most damage on arrival.
Lost fittings are the number one issue on arrival – not damage to the bed itself. If your bag of screws isn’t properly attached and gets lost during transport, you may find it impossible to reassemble the bed frame or base. Secure the bag of fittings directly to a frame part with tape, and add extra safety with a closed zip bag.
Transporting bed with Cocolis
Simpler, more human transport
With Cocolis, your item doesn't go through a warehouse, isn't passed from hand to hand and doesn't endure multiple re-loadings. It's delivered directly from point A to point B, in a single trip, by an individual or professional already making the journey.
In reality, it’s often someone like your neighbour or cousin making the trip for their own reasons who takes special care of what they're carrying. It's not a courier under pressure to deliver dozens of parcels a day. This difference means a lot in how your item is handled.
Fewer handlings also means less risk. But your item will still be loaded and unloaded, and a sudden brake can happen: correct packing is still essential to protect sensitive areas at these key moments.
Practically, packing doesn't need to be designed to withstand a whole logistics chain. It just needs to provide effective protection for a single journey—which is achievable by everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Other packing guides
For further advice, you can review packing guides for different types of item.
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