How To Move Furniture

Moving furniture can be one of the toughest parts of relocating. It takes planning and care to navigate bulky pieces through narrow doorways, protect delicate items, and handle heavy equipment. Whether you’re hiring moving professionals or tackling it yourself, this guide offers practical tips to help you move furniture safely and efficiently.

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Preparing to Move Furniture

Prepare for your move by following the steps below before moving day.

Assess the Room and Furniture

Start by measuring and weighing the furniture you need to move so that you’ll know how much effort your move will require. Next, measure doorways, hallways, and staircases to identify the best exit and entry points. Note any tight corners or obstacles, and consider whether you should disassemble any pieces before you move them.

Gather the Proper Moving Equipment

Gather the equipment below so that your move runs smoothly.

• Bubble wrap
• Dollies/hand trucks
• Furniture pads
• Furniture sliders
• Lifting straps
• Moving blankets
• Packing tape
• Plastic wrap
• Resealable plastic bags

Dollies, hand trucks, lifting straps, and furniture sliders all make moving easier. Keep small pieces of furniture in plastic bags that you label. Use furniture pads, moving blankets, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, and packing to protect furniture.

Clear a Path

Clear as many obstacles as possible, such as rugs, clutter, or small objects, before you start moving furniture. Make sure you have a clear path to the door. Secure loose cords or cables that can pose tripping hazards. Use floor runners, cardboard, or furniture sliders to protect hardwood floors.

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Tips for Moving Large Furniture

You can move large furniture easily if you use the right techniques. Consider the tips below, which will help you to navigate the challenge of moving your heftiest pieces.

Disassemble When Possible

Disassemble large furniture pieces into manageable parts. Remove detachable legs, knobs, shelves, or other components to reduce the weight and bulkiness of the furniture. This will make navigating them through narrow doorways and tight spaces easier. 

Remember to keep all of your hardware in bags you’ve labeled so that you can easily reassemble pieces later. Wrap furniture in stretch wrap if you can’t remove shelves or doors so that these don’t unexpectedly open. Don’t use tape, which can cause damage when you remove it.

Protect Your Furniture and Home

Wrap moving blankets or furniture pads around the furniture’s edges and surfaces. This prevents scratches, dents, and other damage during the moving process. Use bubble wrap on delicate areas or corners for additional protection. Secure the wrapping with packing tape, and be careful not to apply tape directly to finished surfaces. Protect your walls, door frames, and floors from bumps or marks with corner protectors, padding, or cardboard.

Lift Furniture Carefully

Prioritize safety when you’re lifting heavy furniture to avoid injuries. Bend your knees instead of your back, and use your leg muscles to lift. First squat, then secure a given object in your arms, then stand straight up without twisting your torso. Keep a straight posture while you carry the object, engage your core, and keep the furniture close to your body.

Use Your Equipment

Conserve your strength and shift the load onto a dolly or hand truck whenever this is possible. Place furniture sliders under the legs or corners of large furniture, which will allow you to slide heavy objects easily over smooth floors. Use lifting straps or shoulder dollies to distribute the weight of heavy furniture.

Ask for Help

Moving large furniture is not a one-person job, even if you use lifting straps and a dolly. Recruit a team of family members or friends to help you. Assign specific roles, such as guiding, lifting, or spotting, to make the process safer and quicker.

Consider hiring professional movers, alternatively, if you can manage this as part of your moving budget. Hiring help will increase your overall moving costs, but it will save you time and effort.

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Navigating Furniture Through Tricky Spaces

Moving furniture often involves maneuvering through challenging spaces. Consider the tips below.

Maneuvering Through Doorways

Take your time and plan your approach carefully when you’re moving large pieces through doorways. Remove doors from their hinges to create more space. Try the “hook” method if you’re dealing with tight fits. This involves angling the furniture so that the top goes through the doorway first, then curving the furniture through the opening.

Tackling Stairs and Tight Corners

Moving furniture up or down stairs requires extra caution. Use a spotter to direct anyone that’s walking backward. Use furniture straps to distribute the weight of heavy items between two or more people. If you’re navigating tight corners, move slowly, and try different angles until you find the best fit.

Elevator Etiquette for Furniture Moving

If you’re using an elevator, be considerate of other residents. Reserve the elevator if you can, and use moving blankets to protect the interior. Load larger items first, place them against the walls, and fill in the rest of the space with smaller pieces. Never exceed the elevator’s weight limit.

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Special Considerations for Different Furniture Types

Different types of furniture require specific handling techniques. Read more below.

Upholstered Furniture

Protect upholstered furniture with plastic wrap or moving blankets to prevent stains or tears. If you’re moving sofas or chairs, consider removing the legs so that the furniture is easier to maneuver. Use furniture sliders to prevent damage to the floor.

Wooden Furniture

Wooden furniture is susceptible to scratches and dents. Wrap each piece in moving blankets or bubble wrap, and pay extra attention to corners and edges. Remove any table’s legs and wrap each separately. Use corrugated cardboard to protect flat surfaces.

Appliances and Electronics

If you’re moving appliances, refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper handling. Secure moving parts, disconnect hoses and cords, and use appliance dollies to move heavy items. Put electronic devices in their original packages before you move them, or wrap them in anti-static bubble wrap. Place them in sturdy boxes.

Fragile and Glass Furniture

Glass tabletops, mirrors, and other fragile components require extra care. Wrap these items in bubble wrap, then in moving blankets. Consider using specialty boxes that are designed for mirrors or artwork. Label these items clearly as “FRAGILE.”

Consider hand-carrying especially valuable or highly fragile items, and keep them close to you throughout the day. Some moving companies may refuse to move especially high-value or irreplaceable pieces. They may also charge extra to move antiques.

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Post-Move Furniture Care

Follow the steps below once your furniture has arrived at its new location.

Reassembling and Positioning

Carefully reassemble any furniture you disassembled for the move. Refer to your photos or sketches for reference. Take your time to position everything correctly so that you won’t have to shift it later.

Cleaning and Touch-Ups

Once you’ve completed your move, clean your furniture to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated during transit. Inspect each piece of furniture for damage. Touch up any scratches or nicks, and tighten any loose screws or fittings. 

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DIY vs. Professional Movers: Making the Right Choice

Whether you should move furniture yourself or hire professionals depends on your time frame, budget, and personal preference.

Pros and Cons of DIY Furniture Moving

DIY moving can save money and give you more control over the moving process. It requires significant time, effort, and physical labor, though. You’ll need to gather all necessary equipment and risk potential injury or damage to your belongings if you don’t move furniture correctly.

When To Hire Professional Movers

Consider hiring professionals for long-distance moves, if you have many large or valuable pieces, or if you’re short on time. Professional movers have the experience, equipment, and insurance necessary to handle your furniture safely and efficiently. This option is more expensive, but it can save you time and spare you potential injury.

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FAQs

What is the easiest way to transport furniture?

The easiest way to transport furniture is to hire professional movers. Even cheap moving companies have the expertise and equipment necessary to handle furniture transportation safely and efficiently. You can also rent a moving truck or use a portable storage container.

How do you move a heavy couch?

Follow the steps below to move a heavy couch:

1. Ask one or two people to help.
2. Remove any detachable parts and set them aside in a safe place.
3. Clear a path from the couch’s current location to its destination.
4. Position yourselves on either side of the couch.
5. Bend your knees, keep your back straight, and lift with your legs.
6. Use furniture sliders, blankets, moving straps, or a dolly to help move the couch.
7. Set the couch down safely.

Can I move a heavy piece of furniture by myself?

Whether you can move a heavy piece of furniture by yourself depends on its weight, its dimensions, and how successfully you can lift heavy pieces. You should not attempt to move a heavy piece of furniture alone. This may result in injury or damage to the furniture.