How to Move Heavy Furniture By Yourself
Moving can be a pain – especially when it comes to large furniture. If you are looking to save money by not using movers or live on your own and do not have help, moving heavy furniture by yourself can be a very difficult task. You run the risk of damaging the furniture or other items in your home. More importantly, improperly moving heavy furniture by yourself can result in injuries. Luckily, there are a few different things you can try to make moving large furniture by yourself a lot easier. Below you can learn how to move furniture by yourself in a safe and effective way!
Clear the Area
Before lifting any heavy furniture by yourself, make sure the area is decluttered of any tripping hazards. You’ll also want to clear out anything that could get damaged by the furniture piece. Additionally, make sure all children and pets are safely in another room. This ensures that you won’t accidentally run into anything or anyone, and if you do need to drop the furniture, you’re safe to do so.
Dress Safely
The next most important thing to do when moving any large furniture by yourself is to dress safely. Wearing safe, closed-toed shoes with no heel is the most vital thing you can do. Flip-flops, sandals, or heels are an easy way to trip and get an injury. You’ll also want to wear comfortable, well-fitting clothing. You won’t need anything super tight, but loose or baggy clothes can easily get caught on the edges and may make you lose your balance or grip. If you can get your hands on a pair of work gloves, they will help protect you from sharp edges, dirt, and any nails or staples hanging off of the furniture.
Protect Your Furniture
To protect your walls and furniture, you will need to wrap any edges with moving blankets or bubble wrap. Depending on what the piece is, you can also buy plastic covers for things like couches and armchairs. Old blankets, towels, and sheets also work nicely in a pinch to keep your furniture safe. To protect your floors, use furniture pads on the bottoms of the pieces.
Utilize Equipment
There are plenty of options for equipment to help solo movers handle any heavy pieces of furniture on their own. Look into your options and try to get at least one, if not a few, of these equipment options.
Sliders
These are a lifesaver and require very little heavy lifting on your end. You simply lift up the sides of your furniture and slide the sliders underneath. From there, you can push your furniture around the room with ease without having to worry about your flooring getting ruined.
Dollies
If you are renting your own moving truck, look into whether or not the company offers equipment rentals for a small fee. Dollies are great for moving large furniture without having to exert too much energy. To use your dolly, you will place your item on the platform and lean back to get it up on two wheels.
Moving Straps
Also called lifting straps, these can help you lift items by distributing weight and preventing strain on your back and knees.
Ramps
If you need to carry your furniture down stairs or lift it to a raised surface, consider using a ramp. This can help you either slowly lower or raise your furniture without having to struggle.
Make Sure to Stretch
Lastly, when learning how to move heavy furniture by yourself, many people skip the most important part. Make sure to stretch before and after moving. Even if you’re used to lifting heavy items, moving furniture is never straightforward and you’ll likely have to lift in some off positions. Having your body loosened up can prevent cramps and pulled muscles. Make sure to also stretch after moving to avoid some of the soreness you’ll experience the next day.
Learning how to move heavy furniture by yourself can help ensure a safe move! For more tips on moving, make sure to sign up for our once-monthly blog newsletter.
