label Packing
Clean the table and chairs, photograph the fittings, remove glass or marble tops with two people, take off the legs where possible and bag the screws. Pad and wrap each part, store glass and marble tops on their edge and don’t stack weight on top. Self Storage India offers private, lockable rooms with 24/7 CCTV, regular pest control and monthly plans with no lock-in.
A dining table and chairs are among the bulkiest pieces to move and store. Taking them apart where possible saves space and lowers the risk of damage. This guide covers how to disassemble, wrap and store a dining set.
What should you do before taking the table apart?
A little preparation makes the job faster and helps the set go back together exactly as it was. Work through these steps a day or two before pickup or moving day.
- Clean every surface. Wipe the top, legs and chair frames with a slightly damp cloth, then dry them fully. Crumbs and food traces attract pests, and trapped moisture can mark wood.
- Let it dry completely. If you have polished or oiled the wood recently, give it time to settle before you wrap it, so the wrap doesn't stick to the finish.
- Photograph the fittings. Take clear photos of where each leg meets the frame, how any brackets sit and which way the extension leaves fit. These photos are your assembly guide later.
- Find the manual. If you still have the maker's instructions, or can find them on the brand's website, keep a copy with the set.
- Gather supplies. You'll need a screwdriver or Allen key, zip-lock bags, a marker, masking tape, furniture blankets or pads, bubble wrap, corner protectors, stretch wrap and some flat cardboard or boards.
- Plan for two people. Table tops are heavy and awkward. Glass and marble tops in particular should never be lifted by one person.
How should you handle glass, marble and wooden tops?
The top is usually the heaviest and most fragile part of a dining set. Each material needs different care.
| Top | Main risk | How to protect it |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | Chipped corners, cracks from pressure or a knock on the edge | Corner protectors on all corners, a layer of bubble wrap, then a board or thick cardboard on each face. Mark it FRAGILE and THIS WAY UP on the edge. |
| Marble or stone | Cracks if it bends under its own weight, chips on edges, stains from damp packing | Lift and carry it on its edge with two people, never flat. Pad all sides with blankets. Keep plastic off direct contact so moisture isn't trapped against the stone. |
| Solid wood | Scratches, dents, warping and marks from damp | Furniture blanket or pad first, then stretch wrap over the pad, never directly on the finish. |
| Veneer or engineered wood | Chipped edges, peeling veneer if it gets damp | Pad the edges well, wrap as for solid wood and keep it away from any wall or floor that could be damp. |
Glass tops: many glass tops simply rest on rubber pads or suction cups. Lift the glass straight up with one person at each end, rather than sliding it off. Keep the rubber pads in a labelled bag. Once wrapped, a glass top should always stand on its long edge, never lie flat with other things on it.
Marble tops: marble is heavy and can crack if it's carried flat and bends in the middle. Tilt it onto its long edge and carry it upright. If the top is too heavy for two people to move safely, ask a mover. Partner pickup, packing and transport across Delhi NCR are available at an additional cost.
Wooden tops: plastic sitting directly on a wood finish can trap moisture and leave marks. Always put a breathable layer, such as a blanket or pad, between the wood and any stretch wrap.
How do you disassemble a dining table step by step?
- Remove the top if it's separate. Glass and stone tops come off first, with two people, before anything else is loosened.
- Take out any extension leaves. Wrap leaves separately and label them with the table they belong to.
- Turn the table over onto a blanket. With a wooden top that stays fixed, lay it upside down on a soft surface so the top doesn't get scratched.
- Unscrew the legs. Most dining tables have legs held by bolts or hanger screws at the corners. Turn them slowly and support each leg as it comes free.
- Bag and label the hardware. Put all screws, bolts, washers and brackets in one zip-lock bag, write the table's name on it and tape it firmly to the underside of the top.
- Number the legs. A small piece of masking tape with a number on each leg and its matching corner saves guesswork later.
- Leave glued joints alone. If a leg or rail doesn't come apart with a screwdriver, it's probably glued. Forcing it can split the wood, so store that section assembled.
How should you store dining chairs?
Chairs take up more space than people expect, especially a set of six or eight. A few habits keep them in good shape:
- Check whether the seat comes off. On many chairs the seat pad is held by four screws underneath. Removing it lets you wrap the cushion separately and may let the frames sit closer together.
- Pad legs and backs. Wrap chair legs in padding or bubble wrap, and pad the top of the back where it's likely to knock against other items.
- Stack only stackable chairs. If chairs aren't designed to stack, don't. Instead, place them in pairs seat to seat, with a blanket between them, so the legs point outward.
- Cover fabric seats with breathable fabric. An old bedsheet or cotton cover works well. Plastic alone can trap moisture in the cushion.
- Keep the hardware together. If you remove seats or arms, bag those screws separately and label the bag "chairs".
How should you wrap each part?
| Part | How to wrap it |
|---|---|
| Wooden table top | Blanket or furniture pad, then stretch wrap over the pad |
| Glass top | Corner protectors, bubble wrap and a board on each side; store on its edge |
| Marble top | Padding on all sides; store on its edge, never flat under weight |
| Legs | Wrap together in padding and tape, with the numbered tags visible |
| Extension leaves | Wrap individually in padding and label with the table name |
| Chairs | Pad the legs and back; stack only if they're designed to stack |
| Cushioned seats | Cover with breathable fabric, not plastic alone |
| Hardware | Zip-lock bag taped to the underside of the table top |
Write the contents and "FRAGILE" where needed on each wrapped part with a marker on tape, so you know what's inside without unwrapping it.
How should you place the set in the storage unit?
- Tops on edge against a wall. Stand glass and marble tops on their long edge on a blanket, padded on both faces and secured so they can't slide or tip.
- Keep wood off the floor. Place wooden parts on pallets, boards or blankets rather than directly on the floor, and leave a small gap from the walls for air.
- Don't stack weight on the set. Heavy boxes on a table top or chair seats can warp wood or crack glass.
- Load the set early. Big items go in first, toward the back or sides, so you aren't moving them around later.
- Keep a walkway. Leave room to reach other boxes without leaning on the furniture.
For more layout ideas, see arranging a storage unit.
How do you protect a stored dining set from damp and pests?
Wood and cushioned seats are the parts most affected by humidity, especially through Delhi NCR's monsoon months.
- Store only clean, fully dry furniture.
- Use breathable layers next to wood and fabric, with plastic only as an outer layer.
- Keep furniture off the floor and away from walls.
- If you visit during the monsoon, check the wrapping and the wood for any sign of moisture.
- Don't store food, crumbs or anything perishable alongside the set.
Read termite prevention for stored furniture and our monsoon storage tips for more detail. Self Storage India carries out regular pest control at its facilities.
How do you put the table back together?
- Unwrap everything in the room where the table will stand.
- Lay the top upside down on a blanket.
- Use your photos and the numbered tags to match each leg to its corner.
- Hand-tighten every bolt first, then tighten them fully once all legs are on.
- Turn the table over with two people and refit any glass or marble top on its pads.
- Check the table is level and doesn't wobble before use.
Why use self storage for a dining set?
A dining set often needs storing during a move, a renovation or a gap between homes. Self Storage India offers:
- Private, lockable rooms with 24/7 CCTV.
- Regular pest control.
- Monthly plans with no lock-in.
- Partner pickup, packing and transport across Delhi NCR at an additional cost. See how pickup works.
Facilities are in Noida, Delhi and Gurugram. Estimate space with the storage calculator, then click "Get Free Quote" or call +91-9090206090.
Dining set storage checklist
- Table and chairs cleaned and dried
- Photos taken of fittings
- Glass or marble top removed by two people
- Legs removed where possible
- Screws bagged and taped to the table
- Top padded and wrapped
- Glass or marble stored on edge
- Chairs padded
- Nothing heavy stacked on top
- Quote requested
Disclaimer: this article gives general guidance. Follow the maker's instructions for your furniture, and use two people for heavy or glass parts.
Run a restaurant or cafe? Read storage for restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where the legs come off easily, yes. Leave glued joints assembled.
Use corner protectors, bubble wrap and boards, and store it on its edge.
In a labelled bag taped to the underside of the table top.
Partner pickup, packing and transport are available across Delhi NCR at an additional cost.
No. Plans are monthly with no lock-in.
Click Get Free Quote for a callback, or call +91-9090206090.
Sources and notes
Checked 1 Nov 2026.
- Unit features, plans and pickup: Self Storage India home page.
- Furniture assembly: follow the maker’s manual.
