A marble Tulip table is built to last for decades, and over decades you may well move house, rearrange a room or take the table to a holiday home. Marble is tough, but it has one weak spot: it does not like knocks on the edges or bending. With a few precautions, moving it is simple and safe. Here is how to do it, step by step.
Rule one: never alone
A marble top is heavy: a large dining table can easily weigh several tens of kilos between top and base. For any move, even a few metres, you need at least two people, ideally three for the largest tops. Before you start, clear the route: roll up rugs, open doors fully and measure tight corridors, stairs and the lift. A few minutes of preparation prevent most accidents.
Short moves around the house
If you only need to shift the table a few metres, for cleaning or to rearrange the room:
- Do not drag it: sliding the pedestal can scratch the floor and damage the base's paint finish.
- Do not lever it by the edge of the top: pulling or lifting from one side only strains the joint between top and base.
- Lift it with two people, evenly, keeping the table level, and set it down gently.
Moving house: separate the top from the base
For a real house move, the table should never travel assembled. Top and base are separated and packed individually. On Tulip tables the top is fixed to the base: follow the instructions you received on delivery and, if you are unsure how to take it apart, get in touch before you start and we will explain how. Keep screws and small parts in a sealed bag taped to the base so nothing gets lost.
Carry the marble top upright
This is the most important tip: a marble slab should always be carried upright, standing on its long edge, just as stonemasons do. Carried flat without a rigid support underneath, the slab tends to bend under its own weight and can crack, especially where the veining is most pronounced.
- Stand the top on thick cardboard or a blanket, never directly on the floor.
- Protect the whole edge with corrugated cardboard or foam edge guards: the edges are the most fragile part.
- Wrap the top in moving blankets and secure with tape or straps over the wrapping, never with adhesive tape directly on the polished surface.
- In the van, strap the top upright against a side wall and do not place anything on it.
The base: heavy but sturdier
The goblet-shaped base is the most compact and robust part, but it is heavy and its paint finish needs protecting. Wrap it in a blanket or bubble wrap, taking care of the floor disc and the top section where the tabletop is fixed. Transport it standing or lying on a soft surface, wedged so it cannot roll during the journey.
What if the table is laminate?
A laminate top is lighter and less sensitive to knocks, but the basic rules still apply: two people, protected edges and no tape on the surface. If you have an extendable Tulip table, close it fully before moving it and never lift it by the extensions.
Reassembly in your new home
- Place the base in its final position, on a floor that is as level as possible.
- Lower the top with two people, centred on the base, before fixing it.
- Tighten the fixing evenly, without forcing it.
- Check with a spirit level that the top is horizontal: on uneven floors, choosing the right spot is easier than compensating afterwards.
Once it is back together, a wipe with a soft cloth and a neutral cleaner brings the surface back to its best: you will find all our tips in our guide on how to clean and care for a marble table. If the top picked up a few marks on the way, also read how to protect marble from stains and scratches.
When to call in the professionals
For large tops, narrow staircases or long-distance moves, the safest option is a removal company used to handling marble and glass, with A-frames for upright transport. Make it clear that this is a natural marble top: it changes how it will be packed and loaded.
In short
Two people, top and base separated, slab always upright, edges protected and no tape on the surface: these are the rules that make the difference. The Tulip table is made to stay with you for a long time, from one home to the next. To see how we ship it ourselves, read Tulip table delivery: what to expect, or browse all our Tulip tables.