How to move heavy furniture?

The task of moving heavy furniture is clearly not easy for a single person. Whether you are moving to a new place, rearranging your room or need to clean it, moving furniture requires utmost care and preparation. With some planning, preparation and proper techniques, you can move your furniture safely and efficiently by yourself. In this article, we will guide you through the process of moving heavy furniture with ease and efficiency. 

 

A step-by-step guide for moving heavy furniture

Check these simple steps for moving heavy furniture yourself.

Gather the materials required

• Moving blankets or drop cloths
• Packing tape
• Bubble wrap
• Measuring tape
• Furniture sliders or dolly
• Bungee cords
• Ropes

Disassemble the furniture

You should empty all the contents from your furniture, such as books, clothes or any items, and pack them in separate labelled boxes. This will make it more manageable and prevent any damage to your belongings. If your furniture can be disassembled, make sure to do so before moving it. Remove any detachable parts, such as drawers, shelves, chairs legs, or any other detachable items and pack them separately. This will make the furniture lighter and easier to handle. Make sure to keep all screws and small parts in a labelled bag to avoid losing them. 

Prepare the furniture

For the next step, you are required to wrap the furniture to protect it from scratches, dents and other damage during the move. Wrap the furniture in moving blankets or drop clothes. For delicate and fragile surfaces like glass and polished wood, use bubble wrap to provide an extra layer of protection. You can even double-wrap it with plastic sheets. Make sure that the mattress is completely covered. Use packing tape and seal the furniture to secure the wrapping. Make sure that the corners and edges are wrapped securely. 

Clear the pathway

Before moving the furniture, make sure that the pathway is clear. Measure the furniture using a measuring tape and check that it can pass through the hallways and doors. You may need to remove the doors or railings to move the furniture efficiently. Remove any obstacles that are along the path, as they might hinder you from moving.

Use furniture sliders

Furniture sliders are an efficient tool for moving heavy furniture. The sliders can be placed under the furniture and can be moved across any surface, such as carpets. Lift the furniture from one end and place the sliders under the legs of the furniture. Now, you can easily and smoothly glide the furniture by simply pushing or pulling it.

Use dolly 

A furniture dolly is a wheeled platform that helps you move the heavy furniture around. Place your furniture on the dolly and secure it with straps or bungee cords. Then, simply push or pull the dolly to move the furniture. 

Move the furniture manually

You need to make sure that you lift the furniture carefully. Lift the furniture with your legs and not your back, as this can strain it. Bend your knees, squat down, keep your back straight and use your leg muscles to lift. Whenever possible, slide the furniture instead of lifting it. To move heavy furniture on your own, ask for help from your friends, family members or professional movers. Talk to your helper and plan your movements together to move the furniture easily.

Move the furniture on the stairs 

It takes extra caution to carry heavy furniture up or down stairs. Make sure to use sturdy ropes or bungee cords to secure the furniture to prevent it from slipping or falling. Move carefully and adjust the position of the furniture by tilting it as needed.

Load the furniture

Now that you have successfully moved the furniture out of your house, you will need to load it into the vehicle. Use a ramp to load the furniture into the vehicle easily; once you have placed the furniture, secure it with bungee cords or ropes to prevent it from moving and sliding during the move.

 

FAQs

Is moving heavy furniture easy for an individual?

You can make the job easier by using furniture sliders and dollies.

How do I lift the furniture by myself?

Make sure you lift the furniture with your legs and not your back to avoid straining it. Use furniture sliders or dolly to make your job easier.

What are furniture sliders?

Furniture sliders help reduce friction, making it easier to move.

How do I use furniture sliders?

Lift the furniture and place the sliders under furniture legs or corners and then easily slide the furniture.

How do I protect the furniture during the move?

Use moving blankets or drop cloths to wrap the furniture and protect it against any damage. Additionally, use bubble wrap or plastic sheets to ensure additional coverage.

What should I do if the furniture doesn't fit through?

You should disassemble the furniture as much as you can by removing removable parts. If needed, remove the door frames and the door.

How do I secure the furniture during the move?

Use bungee cords or ropes to secure the furniture and prevent it from falling or sliding during the move.

Do I need to seek professional assistance?

If you are unable to move the heavy furniture, you should definitely seek professional help.

What are lifting straps?

Lifting straps help in the distribution of weight between two people.

Are there any precautions to follow?

Pack the furniture with moving blankets to ensure they are safe during the move. Make sure that the corners and edges are wrapped carefully. Wrap all the fragile and delicate items in a bubble wrap. While lifting the furniture, make sure that you lift it with your legs and not your back.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com