Moving Heavy Furniture Like A Pro

Relocating to a new home, whether it is across town or the country, can seem like a monumental task–especially if you are tackling it alone. Eliminating stress by planning ahead can greatly reduce any headaches that arise when moving. Hauling heavy furniture is just one of the challenges you must overcome while moving. Besides hiring professional movers to help you get the job done, lifting and moving your furniture yourself is probably your only option. Fortunately, we have lots of tips and resources to help you tackle your move easily.

Learn the simple but effective techniques the professionals use. Master maneuvering and hauling heavy furniture with ease while saving money and the health of your lower spine.

Plan Ahead

• Assess the layout of the space you’re moving the furniture into and map out the best route.
  
• Measure your furniture and make sure it can fit in your new space. The pathways to and from your new home should be measured, as well as the doorways. This will ensure your current furnishings fit.
  
• Protect door frames, doors, floors, trimmings, and walls by padding them to protect against sliding and scraping.
  
• Wrap furniture to keep it safe during transport or to remain intact in self-storage.
  
  Clear the Way
  
• Make sure there is enough space to maneuver the furniture safely and remove obstacles. Moving your heavy furniture should be one of the last tasks you tackle.
  
• Ensure children and pets have been cleared out of the way to prevent any accidents.
  
• Place furniture sliders or cardboard underneath heavy pieces to prevent damage to floors.
  
  Lift With Your Legs
  
• Lift heavy objects using proper techniques to prevent any injuries. Even slight straining can wreak havoc down the line, so it is better to be overly cautious.
  
• Lift with your legs, not your back. Bend your knees and use the strength of your legs to lift, keeping your back straight.
  
• Keep the item close to your body, maintain a firm grip, and lift steadily without jerking motions.
  
  Get Help
  
• Don’t try to do things alone. If you need help moving these bulky objects, you would be remiss not to take advantage of any help you can get.
  
• Enlist the assistance of friends or family members to distribute the weight and make the process safer.
  
  Dismantle When Necessary
  
• If feasible, disassemble larger items to make them lighter and easier to move.
  
• Unscrew legs to tables, couches, ottomans, chairs, and anything else that can be removed without affecting the integrity of the piece. Moving items in pieces is easier than hauling bulky furniture.
  
• Keep track of what item goes where. When disassembling a whole piece, make sure you know how to put it back together. Take pictures and notes while dismantling to stay on top of everything.
  
• Remove drawers out of dressers. Let clothing remain in your drawers not only to save steps packing and unpacking but to use as a cushion. Having drawers weighed down will also prevent any sliding while riding to your new destination.
  
  Slide, Roll, or Pivot
  
• If applicable, use furniture sliders or dollies to reduce strain and make moving easier.
  
• Roll items with wheels or cushioned furniture to keep from scraping floors. This will also reduce strain when transferring objects from one place to another.
  
• Pivoting couches and tables around corners will be the best way to maneuver through doorways and up and down stairs. Utilize leverage by tilting the furniture slightly to reduce the required lifting.
  
  Take Breaks
  
• Moving heavy furniture can be physically demanding, so take regular breaks to avoid fatigue and prevent injuries.
  
• Do not push yourself beyond your physical limits. Drink water and have snacks on hand to stay hydrated and refuel.
  
  Rent Self-Storage
  If you have found that your new place does not measure up to your old place, there is no sense in getting rid of the valuables you cherish most. By renting a storage unit, you can keep the furniture you love without sacrificing space at home. ClickandStor® Online Rental Suite not only helps you find the self-storage space you seek but it has filters to let you choose storage that is heated, air-conditioned, or overall climate-controlled.
  
  To tailor your space exactly to your needs, you can filter by size, type, location, indoor or outdoor, and anything in between. ClickandStor® Online Rental Suite is a modern software solution that has propelled the self-storage industry forward, allowing tenants to quickly and easily pick out the unit they need and rent storage online on their smartphone or mobile device.