A Moving Company’s Guide to Heavy Furniture

Staring down at the couch in your basement or living room, you wonder how you managed to fit it through the door in the first place. Scanning your memories, you recall the awkward angles, the strategic turns, and the careful planning that went into maneuvering that bulky piece of furniture.

There are fragile items, and then there’s furniture: heavy, cumbersome, and seemingly impossible to move without a few chips or scratches. Knowing how to move these items with the proper tools and techniques prevents not only damage but injury as well.

In this blog, Best Movers’S movers provide expert tips and tricks for moving heavy furniture safely, including choosing the right equipment and proper lifting techniques for a successful move.

How To Prepare for Furniture Moving

Preparing for furniture moving involves making these bulky pieces less troubling to pick up and maneuver through openings and doorways. This can include shedding off any excess weight or removing items like cushions, legs, or frames for easier transport.

If you do remove anything, it’s important to keep all screws, bolts, and small parts in labeled bags to make reassembly easier later. You’ll also want to wrap furniture in protective padding, such as blankets or bubble wrap, to prevent scratches, dents, or other damage during the move.

For delicate surfaces like glass or wood, you’ll thank yourself for adding extra protection with corner guards or foam padding. Aside from preparing the furniture itself, you may also find it easier to bring everything onto your main floor in order of what needs to be packed first.

Tools and Equipment for Moving Heavy Furniture

Having the right tools and equipment will help you move your heavy furniture safely and efficiently. These items can help reduce the risk of injury and make the process smoother, allowing you to get started in your new home without any issues.

Here are a few essential tools and equipment:

Dolly: A wheeled platform that makes it easier to move heavy items
Furniture sliders: Small, plastic or wooden disks that you can place under furniture legs to reduce friction and make it easier to slide
Straps and ropes: Used to secure furniture to a dolly or tie it down during transport
Screwdriver: For disassembling furniture if necessary
Pliers: For removing nails or screws
Tape measure: To measure doorways and hallways to ensure the furniture will fit

Floor and Wall Protection While Moving Furniture

When moving heavy furniture, the risk of damaging your walls and floors is high without taking precautions. Large, bulky items can easily scrape or dent walls, especially in tight spaces, while dragging furniture can scuff or scratch hardwood floors and tear carpets.

To protect your walls, you can cover furniture with moving blankets or corner guards to cushion any accidental bumps. You can also use painter’s tape or cardboard along edges and corners to prevent scratches.

For floor protection, use furniture sliders under heavy items to easily glide them across surfaces without dragging. Laying down protective coverings like cardboard, drop cloths, or carpet protectors will also prevent scuffs, scratches, or dents while moving across various types of flooring.

What Are Some Proper Furniture Lifting Techniques?

Even with the help of various tools and equipment that take the brunt of your furniture’s weight, you still need to use proper lifting techniques to avoid throwing out your back and knees. One of the biggest mistakes people make is relying on their back muscles to lift rather than using the stronger leg muscles.

Here are some key lifting techniques and tips to avoid injury:

Lift with your legs, not your back, to avoid strain and injury.
Keep the load close to your body for better control and balance.
Bend at your knees when lifting, not at your waist, to maintain proper posture.
Communicate with your moving partner to ensure synchronized movements.
Use lifting straps or a moving harness to distribute weight and reduce strain on your arms and back.
Plan your route ahead of time to avoid obstacles and ensure a clear path.
Take breaks when needed to avoid overexertion during the move.

How To Use Furniture Sliders and Dollies for Easy Transport

A furniture dolly is a flat, wheeled platform that allows you to load and transport large items with minimal lifting. You can lift one side of the furniture onto the dolly, secure it with straps if necessary, and then roll it to your desired location. Dollies are great tools for moving through doorways and hallways.

Furniture sliders are small pads placed under the legs or base of heavy items. They’re ideal for moving furniture over hardwood, tile, or carpeted surfaces. To use them, lift each furniture corner slightly and place a slider underneath, then gently push or pull the item to move it smoothly.

How To Disassemble Furniture for Safer Moving

The ability to disassemble certain furniture pieces can be a godsend if they’re awkward or too large to move through doorways, hallways, or tight corners. By breaking them down into smaller components, you reduce the risk of damaging both the furniture and your home during the move.

Here are a few pieces and how to disassemble them effectively:

Dining table: Remove the legs by unscrewing them from the base. If the table has a removable leaf, separate it and pack it safely.
Bed frame: Detach the headboard and footboard by unscrewing or unclipping the side rails. Remove any slats or support beams and pack all screws in labeled bags.
Couch or sectional: Remove detachable cushions, unscrew the legs, and disassemble any sectional pieces. If possible, detach the armrests and/or backrest.
Dresser: Remove all drawers to reduce weight. If the mirror is attached, unscrew it from the frame and carefully wrap it in protective padding.
Wardrobe or armoire: Remove the doors by unscrewing the hinges, and take out any internal shelves or hanging rods. Disassemble the frame if possible.

Contact Our Furniture Movers for Safe and Efficient Transporting

Are you struggling to move large furniture without scratching your floors or walls? Best Movers’s professional movers know how to protect your home and belongings during the entire process.

Call (867) 446-2653 to get in touch with our team today for safe and efficient furniture moving services.