7 Unexpected Ways You’re Secretly Damaging Your Furniture, Designers Say

Furniture generally doesn’t come cheap, and you’re going to want to make sure that you’re properly taking care of all of the pieces you own and love so that they will continue to serve you and your family for decades to come (if not longer).

Here, three interior designers highlight some of the most common ways that people inadvertently damage their furniture just by going about everyday life. By being mindful to avoid these seven detrimental practices, you will lengthen the life of your furniture and make the most of your investment pieces.

Improperly Moving Furniture

The next time you feel like you just can’t wait for your spouse or roommate to get home and help you move that dresser or sofa across the room, remember that not properly moving furniture can lead to lasting damage, Alisa Popelka, the founder of Alisa Cristine Interiors, says.

”Dragging and pushing instead of lifting can not only crack, break, and damage your furniture, but also ruin your floors,” Popelka explains.

Even if you’re in a pinch and have to hire someone to help you rejigger your pieces, consider this money well spent, as moving furniture properly will help it to last longer.

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Not Following Care Instructions

When dealing with stained, sticky, or dusty furniture—particularly expensive furniture—you will want to be mindful of your cleaning techniques to ensure that you don’t cause further damage.

”When it comes to cleaning products on furniture, I prefer a less is more approach,” Popelka says, adding that it’s best to skip any cleaners with harsh chemicals in them.

The best possible route to go is to read the care instructions that came with a given piece, the designer adds. Still stumped? Consider calling or emailing the furniture retailer’s customer service hotline to source firsthand cleaning recommendations.

Using the Wrong Vacuum

It’s important to exercise caution when vacuuming your furniture, too. As Sara Deane, the founder of Sara Deane Interiors, notes, the suction component of a vacuum and delicate upholstery materials are often not a good match.

As such, you will always want to make sure to use a vacuum specific to upholstery cleaning, she notes.

Sitting on Furniture Arms

If you’ve ever sat on the arm of a sofa or chair during a crowded party, don’t make it a habit. Doing so is one way to ruin the padding there, Deane explains.

”There’s a seat for a reason,” Deane says.

Placing Furniture in Direct Sunlight

Sure, sitting and reading in your sunny living room is always pleasant, but placing your furniture in direct sunlight can have adverse effects, particularly as it pertains to materials such as wood, leather, and upholstered fabrics, Andrea Schumacher, the founder of Andrea Schumacher Interiors, says.

”Over time, UV rays can dry out wood, crack leather, and dull vibrant colors,” Schumacher explains.

To reduce the risk of damage, be sure to install window treatments you can close when rays are harsh or position furniture so that it sits elsewhere within your space.

Not Using Protective Pads

Yes, coasters, desk blotters, and the like really do pay off! These pads help to prevent stains, marks, and scratches and are especially beneficial to use on wood and glass surfaces, Schumacher says.

Think about ways you can protect your furniture without sacrificing aesthetics. For example, the designer recommends keeping a decorative tray on the coffee table.

Overloading Drawers

You may be guilty of filling your drawers or shelves to the brim in order to keep clutter out of sight or off the floor, but this practice isn’t going to sustain your furniture’s lifespan. Schumacher explains that over time, drawers can sag, warp, or become misaligned as a result.

She adds that you will want to be sure to evenly distribute objects across shelves to avoid unnecessary strain.