How to safely move large pieces of furniture

You have a lot to think about during office or house moves. If you have heavy furniture, you may need to take extra steps to move them safely and efficiently. This will definitely take some planning and preparation. This post considers how to move large pieces of furniture safely.

This is also an opportunity to read up on tips for moving heavy furniture items safely and efficiently, pro tips for moving furniture, and tips for moving heavy furniture downstairs. Read on for more!

Things to Plan for Before You Move Heavy Furniture

You need to take specific steps and plan appropriately before moving heavy objects like boxes and furniture. Some preparation steps to plan for to move heavy furniture by yourself safely include the following:

• Make arrangements to rent a moving truck or storage unit well before moving day.
• A moving checklist comes in handy when you are moving house or furniture.
• Start by itemising all heavy items you want to move. This helps you to plan how to load the moving truck.
• Think about the exit route and plan how to deal with potential obstacles.
• Remember that you may need to plan for tools and other equipment to disassemble the furniture.
• Think about how to handle complicated manoeuvres such as tight corners or stairs.
• Also, plan the process to move furniture upstairs in the new house.
• Make plans for moving fragile objects before the actual furniture moves.

Tools for Moving Heavy Furniture

Another thing to do before you start moving heavy furniture is to research and get the right tools. Furniture moving tools are usually available in local hardware stores. The necessary furniture moving equipment includes the following:

Moving straps

You can use moving straps (or lifting straps) to carry heavy items such as furniture, washing machines, and fridges. These moving straps can provide enough support so you can manoeuvre furniture efficiently.

Moving straps are also called shoulder dollies; your hands are free when using them to guide awkward items carefully. A pro tip when using carrying straps is to spread the weight between everyone, making the move evenly.

Furniture sliders

Using furniture sliders to move heavy furniture is easy because they are designed for easy sliding across floors. You only need to place the sliders under the furniture to start moving the furniture in a way that prevents floor damage and injuries.

Furniture dollies

Many people find dollies to be a great tool that makes it easier to move heavy furniture across long distances. You can move heavy items onto the dolly, and the smaller two-wheel version distributes the weight vertically. Two-wheel dollies come with a hand truck that you can use to wheel your furniture around.

On the other hand, the four-wheel dolly distributes the weight evenly across the moving dolly. Four-wheel dollies are great for moving heavy items such as shelves. Always apply caution when using dollies and secure your furniture so it does not tip over.

Furniture ramps

Furniture ramps come in handy when moving heavy items vertically. For example, you can use them to move heavy objects down or up staircases or load furniture pieces into your moving truck.

How to Safely Move Large Pieces of Furniture

Here’s how to safely move heavy furniture:

Measure the dimensions

You must ensure your furniture pieces can pass through doorways and entranceways. You do not want to lift and carry heavy furniture and only discover that you cannot get it through door frames. Thus, measuring the dimensions of your furniture pieces helps you ensure they do not sustain damage when moving.

Disassemble your furniture

Begin the furniture disassembly process by removing display items from the furniture and emptying all drawers. It is usually not advisable to move your furniture as a whole. Instead, you should disassemble it as much as you can.

This is true for beds, couches, and dining tables. To disassemble your furniture, remove every detachable component and carefully place them aside. Examples of separable components include knobs, cushions, legs, and drawers.

Another pro tip as you disassemble your furniture when moving is to place loose items and parts in the same bag or box. Remember to label screws and nuts and bag them carefully properly. It wouldn’t do to lose them as you work around with heavy boxes and furniture during your move.

Take steps to protect the furniture

You need to protect your furniture from bumps, scratches, and stains. Use plastic wraps to wrap furniture items such as couches and chairs so they do not get stained. Bubble wraps are also great for protecting fragile items and giving them support. You can also use furniture or moving blankets to protect your furniture from sharp edges.

Take precautions

• Be sure to clear off obstacles from pathways before you move heavy objects. This includes toys, shoes, and any other items that can cause trips or accidents. 
• Keep pets out of sight, and do not leave your kids running around.
• Doing a light warm-up or stretching before lifting heavy objects is essential. This is a great way to prevent muscle strains.
• Remember to use the proper techniques for lifting heavy items. 
• Bend from the knees and not your back. Use both hands to pick the heavy object up and keep your back straight. You have to straighten your legs to lift the item.
• You should get help from a professional removalist when moving heavy objects. They can take the stress and burden from you.

Use the high and low technique

This involves centering the weight of furniture so it does not tip over. This technique is best used for tall pieces of furniture such as wardrobes and bookshelves. You and a partner can use this technique to carry the furniture downstairs easily.

Move heavy furniture items first

It makes sense to begin your furniture move with the heaviest furniture pieces. This way, you will be better able to handle them since your energy is fresh.

Use the right moving vehicle

It is best to use an appropriately sized vehicle when moving large pieces of furniture. Otherwise, you may damage the car or your furniture.

Finish unloading

If you had planned correctly, you would have ensured adequate parking space for your unloading process. It is usually best to finish your unloading process before starting furniture reassembly.

Pro Tips for Moving Furniture

You can use the following moving tips to ensure a smooth and safe furniture move:

• Wear the proper clothing when moving furniture on a moving day. Your clothing should allow free movement and protect your body from scratches.
• Wear closed-toed shoes rather than flip-flops or high heels to safely lift heavy furniture.
• Use furniture moving equipment such as sliders to move heavy furniture. It’s safer and is less likely to damage your floors and furniture.
• Always use proper lifting techniques to move large furniture to avoid injury or property damage.
• Be sure to carry heavy furniture close to your body.
• Stay upright to safely lift a heavy piece of furniture instead of twisting your body.
• Use simple techniques to lift furniture to avoid back injuries.
• One way to protect floors and walls from scrapes is to add furniture pads to the bottom of the furniture.
• Using ramps to place large items on raised areas is much easier and safer.

How to Move Certain Heavy Items

Some items may be awkward and difficult to move without expert help.

Here are some valuable tips for moving such awkward items:

• Take off the legs of heavy objects such as pianos if possible. This makes it easier to get them through doors.
• You can use a special padded box to pack large mirrors so they do not get broken.
• If you do not have the original box, you may have to buy a special container to pack your flatscreen TV.

Tips for Moving Heavy Furniture Downstairs

An excellent way to move heavy furniture downstairs is to use a hand-truck specially designed for stairs.

• First, secure the item on the hand truck. 
• Then, let the hand truck balance on two wheels. You can tilt it back.
• Slowly and carefully walk backwards, a step at a time, as you pull the truck.
• You may get a partner to assist you with this for better safety.

Hire a Moving Company to Move Furniture

After reading this post, you know more about how to move large pieces of furniture safely. You will have also discovered a lot of reasons to hire professional movers. They have experience in moving furniture pieces, and they have the right moving and packing supplies. They can also provide a quick quote for safe and easy furniture removal.