Packing and moving is quite the ordeal. It can also be pretty dangerous at the best of times, especially when you’re moving furniture. Among all the elements and parts you have to orchestrate and navigate, the last thing you want to have happen is an accident that renders you unable to move things. That’s where our decades of knowledge and experience can make all the difference.
We know a thing or two about moving furniture. We’ve compiled a list of furniture moving tips that are sure to make the process more efficient and keep you safe while doing so.
How to Move Heavy Furniture
Whether you’re wondering how to move heavy furniture or how to move awkwardly-shaped pieces, our tips and suggestions will help. Much preparation is necessary before executing the actual move, but that preparation is key to successfully transporting any type of furniture.
Make a Moving Plan
The goal should be to move your furniture as efficiently as possible. We know this doesn’t actually involve the physical moving of furniture, but it pays to have a plan. Rushing in head-first without a plan will likely prevent the moving process from being smooth.
For instance, when loading the moving truck, it makes the most sense to have the heavier furniture pieces in the back and on the sides to balance weight distribution and protect your more delicate pieces. It’s also a good idea to take stock of what you have, so you don’t lose anything or misplace anything during the move.
Get the Necessary Equipment
Again, this is part of the preparation stage before you start moving heavy furniture. There are many tools available to help execute a swift, smooth move, including:
- Furniture Sliders: Furniture sliders are pads made from rubber, foam, or other similar materials that you place underneath each foot of a piece of furniture. Balanced on the sliders, you will find your heavier items can be slid fairly easily across nearly all surfaces, including carpet.
- Moving Straps: Moving straps can be affixed underneath heavier furniture pieces and then gripped and used to lift said pieces. The strap will bear a significant portion of the weight.
- Moving Blankets and Plastic Wrap: Moving blankets and plastic wrap are a good way to ensure your items are protected and padded during a move.
- Furniture Dollies: If you own a piano or another item of furniture that is exceptionally heavy or cumbersome, a furniture dolly will help. There are four-wheeled dollies and two-wheeled ones. The four-wheeled option will help transport it safely out of your house for larger items. The two-wheeled option is a good choice for taller items of furniture.
Measure Furniture Before Moving Furniture
Measuring your furniture beforehand is another tip that qualifies as part of the preparation stage of your moving process. Colonial Van Lines can tell you that when it comes to moving, size does matter. We can also tell you that knowing the size of your furniture can save you a lot of aggravation on moving day. Get your measuring tape, a pen or pencil, and a piece of paper for jotting down your dimensions. Knowing the exact length, width, and height will help you figure out your next steps on your path.
Measure the Doorways and Hallways
But don’t put down that measuring tape just yet. Now that you’re familiar with the dimensions of your furniture, it’s time to measure all of the doorways, corridors, and pathways that your problematic furniture will have to fit through during the moving process. Don’t forget staircases and elevator doors. Stairwells can be especially difficult to navigate, particularly ones on older buildings.
Get Enough Manpower
It’s not a good idea to try and move heavy furniture by yourself. If you’re getting big furniture in and out of your house, plan on recruiting at least two other able-bodied individuals. Ideally, one person should hold up the front of the item, one person holds the back, and a third to navigate. The more people you have helping, the faster things will go and the safer you’ll be.
Look at It from Another Angle
There is always the option to disassemble your furniture. But before you start unscrewing and taking things apart, it could be a good idea to consider different maneuvering options. You might find that you’re able to move an item easily through the door by turning it a different way. Just make sure that you keep your movements slow and precise to avoid costly property damage.
Squeeze Your Way In
If you have upholstered furniture, there’s probably a little leeway on the “exact dimensions.” Remember, most couches and sofas have soft sides that can squeeze through openings a bit smaller than the overall size of the furniture. If it’s a matter of a few inches, use the right angle and compress the cushioned sections to give you that extra bit of room.
Disassemble and Detach
There’s still a good chance that despite all your efforts, your furniture still won’t fit through the doorways and areas it needs to. If this is the case, your next move would be to disassemble the oversized pieces. Consider removing protruding furniture legs by either pulling them out of unscrewing them. If you’re unsure about the proper techniques for furniture disassembly, consult a specialist. You might also be able to look up how to disassemble a particular piece of furniture online.
Remove the Door Frame
If you find yourself in a situation in which getting your furniture through the door is only a matter of about an inch, removing the door from its hinges can be an effective solution. Alternatively, you can remove part of the doorframe by taking out the nails, but keep in mind that doing this can cause property damage. Only do this as a last resort and if you know what you’re doing.
Avoid Bottlenecking
You may have made it safely through the door, but there are still many twists and turns to face, most commonly when maneuvering furniture through a narrow hallway or staircase. One of the most important tips Colonial Van Lines gives its customers is to inspect your way in thoroughly and visualize your path every step of the way. And remember, if you do get stuck, keep calm and figure out the best solution.
Hire Colonial Van Lines Professional Movers
We know there can be a lot of uncertainties when you’re moving furniture. But there is one thing you can be certain of—our team at Colonial Van Lines knows exactly what to do about your furniture. We’ve been in the moving business for over fifty years, and there’s hardly a moving-related problem our team doesn’t know how to handle. Even if disassembling the furniture doesn’t solve the issue, we offer professional hoisting services to get your furniture through windows and balconies without doing damage to your home or belongings.
Trust Colonial Van Lines with Your Move
When you hire Colonial Van Lines Movers, our team is there to assist you with your long-distance move from beginning to end. Our packing and moving service team will help you avoid common moving problems, navigate through confusing situations, and give your move the individual attention it deserves.
On top of our outstanding moving team, we offer you a customized plan to get your goods from point A to point B in the most efficient, uncomplicated, cost-effective way. Our free quotes are designed to help our customers avoid common money traps. Provide us with information about your move, and our moving professionals will prepare an expense breakdown so you can see where your money is going. We’ll give you an accurate rate quote on us with no obligation to sign a contract.
We’re here to help solve any issues and to make your move fast and efficient. Contact us or request our free rate quote today.