Moving heavy furniture is rarely an easy task. It's one that requires strength, patience, and most importantly, some wise planning — especially if you want to avoid any damage to your floors, walls and the furniture itself. Avoiding an injury to yourself is a key priority here, too.
But don't worry, with our helpful tips and tricks, you can make moving heavy furniture a total breeze. Whether you're moving into a new home or simply rearranging your current one, our guide will provide you with all the information you need to move heavy furniture like a pro. From using furniture sliders to enlisting the help of a friend, we've got heaps of handy advice! So let's dive right in, shall we?
How to move heavy furniture
With the right tools and techniques, you can make moving heavy furniture a stress-free experience. Here are our top tips:
1. Use furniture sliders
Furniture sliders are perfect for moving heavy furniture without damaging your floors. The small pads are designed for most surfaces. To use them, simply place them underneath the legs of your furniture and slide away. You can find furniture sliders at most hardware stores, and they come in a variety of sizes, too.
2. Disassemble furniture
For those heavier, larger pieces of furniture, it won’t always be as simple as sliding it along to its new home. If you can, take down your furniture before moving it. Not only does this make it easier to move but reduces the risk of scratching your walls and floors whilst you manoeuvre it out. Be sure to keep all the screws in a safe place ready for you to reassemble the furniture on the other side.
3. Protect your walls and floors
If you’re moving furniture through narrow hallways and doorways, or across flooring that’s easily marked, such as wooden or tiled floors, then it’s wise to use protective materials. You can use blankets, cotton sheets and cardboard to cover up areas vulnerable to scratches and scrapes.
4. Ask for help
Regardless of whether you’re disassembling furniture or lifting it into a removal van — don’t do it on your own. These kinds of tasks are so much easier to do when tackled in pairs. Not only will this make the process a lot easier and safer, but will reduce the risk of damage to your home and furniture, as well as yourself.
5. Plan your route
Before you start moving any furniture out of a room, it's a good idea to plan its route first. Though you might be able to get it out the room, can you get it out the hallway? Down the stairs? The last thing you need is to be trapped in the corridor with a piece of furniture you can’t get any further with. Be sure to measure your spaces to make sure your furniture has enough room to fit through them.
6. Clear your path
This leads us nicely to our next point. You might have the space to physically get your furniture through, but is the path a clear one? Before you start moving furniture, make sure the path is clear from any obstacles. This includes removing any rugs or carpets that could cause tripping hazards, as well as any small pieces of furniture, decor or those pesky Lego pieces that could get in the way.
7. Use a safe lifting technique
To avoid an injury, it’s vital that you use the correct lifting technique. Bend at the knees, keep your back straight and use your legs to lift the furniture, as opposed to your back. Avoid twisting your body while lifting too, as this can cause quite a strain on your back. If you have any kind of back or neck injury — it's vital that you leave the heavy lifting alone or you could make it worse.
8. Take regular breaks
There's no denying that moving heavy pieces of furniture can be a strenuous task. So don’t forget to take regular breaks to avoid overexertion, drink plenty of water and wear suitable clothing and footwear. Shoes with a good grip on them will also come in really handy here.
By following our stellar advice, you can ensure a safe and damage-free furniture moving session. Remember to prioritise safety and take your time, it's not a race!
Factors to consider when moving heavy furniture
When it comes to moving heavy furniture, there are a few more factors you should consider in order to secure a successful removal process.
Weight and size of the furniture: Before you start moving any heavy furniture, it's important to assess its weight and size. If a piece of furniture is too heavy or large to move, even with the help of some friends, it’s best to hire a professional removal company that will have the proper equipment and experience to move it safely
Time of day: If you're moving heavy furniture in a flat or shared building, it's important to consider the time of day. Avoid moving heavy furniture during the early hours of the morning or late at night, as others may be sleeping. You might be moving house but it’s still important to be polite and respectful
Weather conditions: If you're moving heavy furniture during extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, then be sure to take extra precautions to avoid slipping or falling. Wear the appropriate footwear and consider covering the furniture to protect it from the elements
Know your abilities: It's important to know your own abilities when it comes to moving heavy furniture and awkward items. If you're not comfortable with heavy lifting, then that’s absolutely fine. You should never attempt to lift a piece of furniture that’s too heavy for you, as this could lead to a serious injury. Plus, you could seriously damage your house if you drop a heavy piece of furniture suddenly
Let Saint Removals take care of your furniture removal needs!
All this sounds pretty exhausting, right? So why not leave it to the removal experts? With a combined 25 years of industry experience, there's very little we haven't packed and moved! From grand pianos to California king beds to L-shaped sofas – we’re the furniture removal masters.
So sit back, relax and let us do all the heavy lifting. We have all the expertise and equipment needed to move your furniture without causing any damage to your walls, floors or the furniture itself.
So what are you waiting for? Start your home removal journey today.