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Chair
How to pack a chair
Without suitable packaging, even if the courier is careful, transport can cause damage to your chair. This page outlines the steps to protect a chair 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 chair before packing
Check that the frame is sturdy and none of the legs are loose—a weakened chair will not withstand transport well. If the chair, stool, or armchair has a removable cushion, take it off and pack it separately in a bag or wrapped in paper.
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 chair
- Protect each leg individually with bubble wrap or cardboard, paying extra attention to the ends which get damaged first. This applies to wooden chairs, designer chairs or dining chairs.
- Cover the seat and backrest with cardboard or bubble wrap secured with tape applied on the protective layer, never directly onto the chair.
- If transporting several chairs together, stack them when their shape allows, and place a protective layer between each chair to avoid rubbing.
- Hold everything in place using tape so that the protection remains secure during handling.
- Check that the whole package is stable and cannot tip over.
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 chair 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 chair 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.
The legs are the first parts to get damaged, especially their ends which take the knocks during loading and unloading. Insufficient protection on the legs can easily scratch, chip, or break wood, metal, or plastic—be it a solid wood chair, a designer chair or a bistro chair. Pay particular attention to this area even if the rest of the chair seems robust.
Transporting chair 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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