Moving large furniture on your own is quite a hard task. Shifting heavy furniture can be rough on the body as well as draining mentally, whether you’re restyling your living room or relocating to a new house. What’s more, your possessions might be damaged in the process. Luckily, the correct strategies and tools can make the whole process simpler and safer. In this article, we’ll share some helpful advice to assist you with transporting bulky furniture devoid of harmful outcomes.
1. Disassemble large items
Taking apart sections of furniture can make moving it simpler and reduce the risk of damage, so remove any easily removable segments, such as legs, compartments, or shelves, and bundle them independently. This will make the furniture more lightweight and easier to wheel through slim doorways or limited areas.
2. Plan ahead and prepare
Moving can be a complicated endeavor, so it is advantageous to be as efficient as possible. The best way to achieve this is to plan your steps. Arrange the items with the most weight to be loaded onto the van first, preceding the lighter things and containers. Additionally, determine the proportions of your fixtures and doorways so you can double-check that they’ll go through them.
Once you settle on the sequence for unloading, create a plan for where each item will be placed, as well as double-check that there is enough space. Remove anything that might be in the way, such as carpets or small items that could cause you to stumble. Also, contemplate the most effective way to remove the items from the vehicle. Before carrying the items into the house, map out where to store them so you do not have to move them around again.
3. Use lifting techniques
When lifting heavy furniture, it’s essential to use particular lifting techniques to avoid injury. Following these rules can help ensure proper technique:
- Keep the back straight and shoulders back, widening the stance with the legs at about shoulder length apart and using the legs instead of the back to hoist.
- Bend your knees and keep your back straight, using your legs to lift the weight.
- Avoid twisting your body, and keep the furniture close to your body to maintain balance.
No matter how strong your body is, there are certain items that should not be lifted by yourself. Some may be too voluminous and heavy, so finding professional assistance is the safest route. Other items may be fragile and require specific moving equipment and special care. Here follows a series of items that we highly recommend you hire a moving company for:
- a pool table,
- a piano,
- an aquarium,
- a hot tub,
- hefty antiques,
- fitness equipment,
- washing machines,
- other household appliances.
4. Get help from friends or professionals
Moving heavy furniture is a lot easier when you have someone to help. If you can, enlist the help of friends or relatives to assist you. An even better solution is to hire professional movers – this can save you time, energy and prevent potential injuries. Move4U company is the best choice if you are looking for experienced movers in Chicago. Your heavy furniture moving task can be accomplished speedily and without difficulty with their cost-effective hourly rates, fast service, and skilled movers.
5. Use furniture sliders and dolly
Furniture sliders are an excellent tool for moving heavy furniture across carpet or hardwood floors. You can purchase furniture slides of various sizes and shapes at hardware stores. Additionally, you can economically make them by using items like covers of plastic containers, frisbees, moving blankets, towels, and remnants of carpet. Soft and padded sliders should be used on hard floor surfaces, and plastic sliders are suitable for use on carpets. Place them under the legs or corners of the furniture and slide them across the floor.
A dolly, an L-shaped cart equipped with two wheels, is helpful for moving heavy furniture over long distances or up and down stairs. You may also use the four-wheeler – it is similar, but instead of having two, it has four and takes the form of a flat platform instead of an inclined one like a dolly. Place the furniture on the dolly and secure it with straps or bungee cords. This will reduce the amount of effort required to move the furniture and prevent injuries. Another useful tool is a shoulder dolly – this tool can minimize any strain on your back. Attaching straps around the shoulders of two people with the furniture wedged in between allows for free hands and encourages the usage of leg and torso power when lifting.
6. Use lifting straps
Use a lifting strap or harness to distribute the weight evenly and reduce the strain on your back. Straps that go around your body can help you to lift heavy furniture more easily by applying the force of the load over your larger muscle groups and providing more power during the lift.
Typically this strap is a single length that wraps around the bottom of the furniture, and the ends have loops to carry. It is possible to do it on your own through a strap that goes around your arms or shoulders, but with heavy furniture, it is better to have two people with straps to assist. Shoulder straps are usually the most practical since they do not restrict your arms and hands while still providing the ability to carry and stabilize the furniture.
7. Stand sofas and chairs on the end
It can be difficult to get furniture, such as sofas and chairs, through small doorways and around corners. Turning them like an L makes it simpler. Have one person on one side of the corner/doorframe and gently maneuver one end through. If you have furniture that’s tall and likely to topple over, such as dressers or shelves, angling them can help to center the gravity and make them easier to carry. It is advisable to have two people for this method; one holds the top, and the other person grabs the bottom while tilting it.
8. Create a mattress sling
Create a mattress sling to make carrying the weighty, floppy mattress easier. Most mattresses come with a handle that is intended for positioning, not carrying, as it is not very strong. To aid in carrying, thread a rope through the handles and tie it to a piece of PVC pipe for a more comfortable grip. Ensure the sling is at the bottom, and then you can start moving the mattress.
9. Protect the furniture
It is essential to protect your furnishings during the move. Certain problems are likely to occur if you move large items. Cover your stuff with plastic or bubble wrap to avoid nicks, indentations, or destruction. Buying protective plastic covers will be a good solution if you carry items like couches or chairs. An old blanket or sheet can also work in place of these items. Position furniture pads beneath the furniture to protect your floors and walls, and attach cardboard to the walls to prevent scrapes and dents.
Moving heavy furniture can be challenging, but you can make it easier and safer with these tips. To ensure a smooth move, it is crucial to be prepared in advance and remain patient throughout the process. Map out a thoughtful plan and take things slowly. Remember to use proper lifting techniques, get help when needed, protect your furniture, and everything will go perfectly.
