Van hire for IKEA furniture: what size do I need?
Picking up some IKEA furniture for your home? You could benefit from hiring a van. Learn what size you need and tips for a successful trip.
For many people, IKEA is the go-to shop for furniture, whether they're decking out their first home or buying a missing piece.
If you've got a trip to IKEA in the diary, you may be wondering how you're going to get it home. On the face of it, you should be able to fit it into your car. After all, IKEA products are flat-pack, meaning they come in multiple packages. Surely these can be Tetrised into place?
Sometimes, yes. But in some cases, especially when buying multiple products, you may find yourself strapped for space.
This is where van hire comes in. By hiring a van, you get a stress-free trip home with your new flat-pack furniture.
Not all vans, however, are equal. They come in different shapes and sizes – from small to medium, from Lutons to short wheel bases.
If you're new to the world of van hire, you might find these varieties hard to navigate. But really, it all comes down to dimensions.
We hope this article helps you hire the right van for your trip to IKEA. And if you're in the North East, give us a call – we'll get you the van you need in no time.
Why hire a van for IKEA furniture?
IKEA furniture comes in multiple packages. The company's flat-pack designs are the secret to their low prices. By fitting more items into trucks and shipping containers, they lower their transportation costs – savings felt by consumers at the other end.
In some cases, you can fit IKEA boxes into your car. But when dealing with bulky items or a miscellany of shapes and sizes, you may find yourself trying to shove a square peg into a round hole. (An awkwardly shaped peg at that, which could scratch the paintwork if you're not careful.)
By hiring a van, you get peace of mind that your items will get home in one piece and without any damage to your car interior – or your mood!
What van size do I need for IKEA furniture?
Small vans (medium-sized bed frames, mattresses and wardrobes)
"How big is a small van?" sounds like a philosophical conundrum. In fact, "a small van" is a type of van with specific dimensions.
They're typically less than 4.5 metres long and around 1.8 or 1.9 metres wide. This makes them suitable for most bed frames, mattresses, sofas and wardrobes.
Short-wheelbase vans (larger beds and multiple items)
These are slightly larger than small vans. They're suitable for medium-sized pieces of furniture such as shelving units and king-sized beds. They're also comfortably spacious enough to carry multiple smaller purchases.
Long-wheelbase vans (assorted large furniture)
A long-wheelbase (LWB) van typically has a load length between 3.3 and 4.3 metres. They're usually between 1.7 and 2.2 metres high and between 1.7 and 1.8 metres wide.
These dimensions make LWBs ideal for transporting multiple larger items of furniture, such as wardrobes and sofa-beds.
Luton box vans (whole-home refurbs)
Luton box vans are designed for bulky items and are often used for house moves. To give you a sense of their scale, they can fit around 30 or 40 standard cardboard boxes.
For most trips to IKEA, a Luton box van will be bigger than you need. However, you may want to hire one if you're buying a large amount of furniture.
Luton low loaders (large and accessible)
A Luton low loader is a Luton box van with a lower loading height. This is to make the loading process easier.
As with the Luton box van, you probably won't need a Luton low loader unless you're dealing with a lot of furniture. If you're kitting out your home with IKEA furniture, however, it's an accessible option.
How to ensure a stress-free trip to IKEA with a hire van
Be 100% sure of your measurements
You need to be completely confident in the measurements of both the furniture you're picking up and the van you're loading into. All the information you need can be found on the IKEA website and by talking to the van hire company.
Think about loading
If you've ever moved house, you'll know that loading is a fine art. Make sure you put the heaviest items at the bottom. Try to wedge boxes together so they don't move about in transit and strap everything in place. After all, you don't want a battered box at the other end.
Call in a favour
When loading furniture into a van, an extra pair of hands can go a long way. Could it be time to call in a favour from a friend or family member?
Use IKEA's trolleys
IKEA provides customers with trolleys for moving the flat-pack boxes around. These can make a big difference when loading up your hire van.
Book sooner rather than later
Last-minute bookings can be hard to come by – and some firms will charge you extra. Avoid disappointment by booking ahead.
Who can hire a van in the UK?
It varies between hire companies. With MVH Rental, you can hire a smaller (car-derived) van if you're aged 21 or older. Larger vans are available to those aged 25 years or older.
You must also:
- Have held a valid UK driving licence for at least two years
- Have no more than six penalty points within the last five years
- Have no driving bans within the last 10 years
- Have a valid payment card to pay the deposit
Branches of IKEA in the North East
There are 22 branches of IKEA across the UK. The main IKEA branch serving the North East is in Metro Park West, Gateshead. This is about a two-minute drive from our headquarters. There are also pick-up points in North Shields and Durham.
Are you looking for a van to rent to pick up IKEA furniture in the North East? With MVH Rental, you can expect friendly, flexible service and a very competitive quote. To learn more or place a booking, call us today on 0191 4888 700.
