How many times have you moved in your life?
Based on U.S. Census records, about 10% of Americans move each year, which means that most Americans will move at least once, if not more than once, in their life.
If you’re not prepared, moving is stressful, both mentally and physically. This is especially true if you have lots of large furniture pieces to move. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself for this task better.
Keep reading for some useful advice on how to move large furniture the right way.
Wrap and Protect
Invest in a few simple wrapping materials before you start your move.
Start with a roll of stretch film. You can get this at any home goods store, and it’s very affordable. They come in rolls of 1,500 feet or more, and you can always save the leftovers and use them for future moves.
Gather some large blankets. Moving blankets are ideal, but if you don’t want to purchase special blankets, you can use any household blanket. Drape the blankets over your furniture covering all corners and edges, then wrap the entire piece in plastic.
This process makes the item easy to slide on tile or wood flooring. It protects your large furniture pieces from nicks and chips, and it also protects walls and door moldings as you move pieces in and out of your home.
Disassemble When Possible
Did you know that most recliners have a removable back? In fact, most pieces of furniture can be partially or fully disassembled with just a few basic tools.
Check the back of your recliner where it meets the seat. There should be a locking lever on each side. Slide this open and slip the back of the recliner right out of the seat to create two more maneuverable pieces of furniture.
Remove the feet on your sofa and armchairs. These feet usually take up about 3-4 inches of space and can be a real problem when moving a large sofa through a doorway. Screw off the feet and put them in a bag so you don’t lose them in the moving process.
Take the drawers out of desks and wardrobes. Most furniture drawers slide out easily or require the removal of a few screws. Keep all the hardware in a plastic bag and tape it to the inside of the drawer.
This makes them much lighter, and you won’t have to worry about the drawers falling open while you move them. Also, make shelving units lighter by removing shelving boards before you move them.
Practice the “Hook” Method
Sofas, loveseats, and armchairs are some of the most cumbersome items to move. Don’t get discouraged if you’ve measured your doorway and feel it’s impossible to get your sectional sofa through it. Try the “hook” method.
Tip your armchair on its side so it makes the shape of an “L.” You take one end of the chair, and your partner takes the other end. The person carrying the back of the chair goes through the door first.
After you’ve moved the back, or the long part of the “L,” hook the bottom of the chair around the corner and bring the rest of the chair through the door.
This method works for sofas, too, but the trick to moving a sofa this way is to stand it on one of the long ends first. Carry it through the door with one person carrying the back and one person carrying the bottom. Hook it through the same way you did the chair.
Hire Help for Moving Large Furniture
Our final piece of advice for moving large furniture is to hire help. If you aren’t a professional mover, you run the risk of hurting yourself or damaging your furniture if you try and go it alone. Don’t make this mistake!
At MEYER Household Moving, we have one mission—to help you relocate safely. Visit our website today to request a quote on your next move.
