How To Move Heavy Furniture By Yourself: 12 Easy Ways & Tricks

Furniture is typically considered heavy if it weighs 250 pounds or more. The following are some of the common items that can be quite large.

1. Pianos
2. Large Dimension Glass
3. Entertainment Centers
4. Oversized Dense Furniture made of Oak, Maple or Walnut
5. Dressers and Armoires
6. Pool Tables
7. Exercise Equipment
8. Refrigerators and Freezers
9. Marble, Granite or Stone Furniture
10. Gun Safe/Safes in General

Read more:

• How to move a Pool Table
• Moving an Aquarium: How to Pack and Move a Fish Tank

How to Move Heavy Furniture By Yourself: 12 Tips

1. Collect Essential Moving Supplies and Equipment to Move Heavy Furniture

• Moving Dolly: A dolly can help you transport heavy items as it allows you to roll furniture rather than lift it.
• Furniture Sliders: Placing sliders under the legs or corners of heavy pieces can significantly reduce friction, allowing items to slide.
• Lifting Straps: These adjustable straps designed to assist with heavy furniture lifting can reduce the strain on your back.
• Heavy-Duty Gloves: Wearing these will protect your hands and improve grip.
• Blankets or Furniture Pads: Using these can prevent scratches, dents, or damage to both your furniture, flooring, and walls.
• Stair Roller: Consider using a stair roller, which attaches to heavy items, making it easier to move them down steps securely.
• Ratchet Straps: Use ratchet straps to secure furniture to a dolly or within a moving vehicle to prevent shifting during transit.
• Stretch Wrap: Applying stretch wrap around dressers or cabinets can keep drawers closed and protect the surfaces from scratches or scuffs.

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2. Plan and Clear The Landing Area to Move Furniture Easily

Before you start moving heavy furniture, it's crucial to plan and clear the landing area. Ensure that the path is free of obstacles to prevent accidents and make the moving process smoother. This preparation will save you time and effort, allowing for a more efficient move.

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3. Wear Appropriate Clothing When Moving Large Furniture

When moving large furniture, wearing the right clothing is essential. Opt for comfortable, close-fitting clothes that won't get caught on anything. Sturdy shoes with good grip are also important to prevent slips and provide support. Proper attire can significantly reduce the risk of injury.

4. How to move heavy furniture? Clear Out Loose Items From Shelves and Dressers

Before moving shelves and dressers, remove any loose items. This step prevents items from falling and breaking during the move. It also makes the furniture lighter and easier to handle. Organizing and packing these items separately will streamline the moving process.

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5. Use Proper Lifting Techniques to Lift Your Heavy Furniture

When moving heavy items, it is essential to use the proper techniques to avoid injury. Start by standing close to the furniture with your feet shoulder-width apart, giving you a stable base. Keep your back straight, bend at the knees and hips, and lift using the strength of your legs. Never twist your torso while lifting or carrying heavy items as this can lead to back strain. Instead, pivot with your feet to change direction. Remember to hold the furniture close to your body to increase control and reduce strain on your arms and shoulders. If an item is too heavy, consider hiring professional movers. If you find yourself taking your heavy items on a Long Distance Move, reach out to the professionals at Stewart Moving and Storage. Our team can ensure the safety of you and your items with our long distance or interstate moving services. Moreover, you can read more about Long-distance Move Hacks for a comfortable and stress-free move. 

6. Disassemble Your Heavy Furniture When Possible

Taking the time to disassemble heavy furniture can seem like an annoying task, but it's a crucial step in easy heavy object moving. Not only does it make the furniture lighter and easier to maneuver through doorways, staircases, and onto the moving truck, it also helps minimize the risk of damage to other parts of the home. Start by removing any drawers, shelves, or detachable panels. Keep screws, bolts, and other small hardware in labeled bags so that reassembling your items at your new location is a breeze. You can also look back on furniture instructions to make disassembling and reassembling a breeze.

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7. Turn Chairs and Sofas Sideways to Hook Them Around Doorways and Corners

Moving large furniture like chairs and sofas can be challenging, especially when navigating through narrow doorways and tight corners. By turning these items sideways, you can hook them around obstacles more easily, preventing damage and making the process smoother.

Read more: 36 Moving & Packing Tips: A Stress-Free Move Checklist

8. Use Furniture Sliders to Move Heavy Furniture or Heavy Objects

After successfully placing furniture sliders under the corners of your heavy item, you’re ready to glide it across the room easily. Slides are effective for moving big furniture on carpet, but if you’re dealing with hardwood, laminate, or tile, opt for soft, use felt-based sliders to prevent scratches and damage when sliding heavy furniture. Gently push the piece of furniture from the lower section, allowing the sliders to minimize friction and distribute weight evenly. Not only does this method protect your floors, but it also significantly reduces the strain on your body.

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9. Considerations When Moving Heavy Objects Up Stairs

Before moving heavy items up stairs, always assess the weight and dimensions of the furniture, and the width and shape of the stairwell. It’s recommended you measure doorways, landings, and ceiling heights to avoid getting stuck midway. If possible, disassemble any parts of the furniture to make it lighter and easier to manage. Using moving straps or a dolly can greatly assist in distributing the weight and providing handle points. Always keep the heaviest end of the furniture going up first to reduce the risk of it tipping backward. Communicate clearly with your moving partner, taking slow steps. If the task proves too daunting, don’t hesitate to consult professional movers for heavy furniture who are trained furniture lifters. Even though it may seem easy to do in Short Distance Moving, heavy furniture can be difficult at any time. At Stewart, we can assist with the proper techniques and materials.

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10. Moving Heavy Furniture Down Stairs

When going the other direction, make sure to clear the path of any obstacles to avoid tripping or damaging the furniture. Using moving straps or a furniture dolly can drastically reduce the burden of weight and help maintain a controlled movement. It’s also essential to take slow steps and communicate with your partner. Make sure to place the lighter end facing down the stairs and the heavy portion at the top so it will not slide down quickly and put too much strain on one person. 

11. Protect Your Furniture & Home with Blankets and Plastic

When moving heavy furniture, using blankets or plastic safeguards your home's walls, floors, and door frames from scuffs, scratches, or dents. Moving blankets, often made from thick, quilted fabric, provide a barrier against bumps and jolts during transportation, effectively preventing damage to both your furniture and home surfaces. Secure these blankets with high-quality plastic wrap. Not only does the plastic shield your items from moisture and dirt, but it also helps you maintain a grip on slippery surfaces. Don't forget to cover high-traffic areas in your home with non-slip floor protectors to prevent scuffs and allow easier maneuvering of heavy items. 

12. Consider Hand-Carrying for Valuable Items

When you're traveling or moving, protecting your most valuable possessions is extremely important and it's wise to hand-carry certain items. Hand-carrying valuable items means they stay with you at all times, reducing the risk of theft, loss, or damage that can occur with checked luggage or shipped goods. Whether it's expensive jewelry, family heirlooms, or sensitive documents, keeping these items on your person helps you maintain control over their security. You'll be able to monitor these items throughout your travels, giving you peace of mind.

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13. When to Consider Hiring Professional Heavy Furniture Movers?

Professionals are equipped to handle large, bulky items with care and expertise, ensuring nothing gets damaged—including your back! If you're dealing with particularly heavy pieces, if you have to navigate narrow passageways, if you own valuable or antique furniture that requires special handling, or if you simply lack the necessary equipment and manpower, get some extra help. Professional heavy furniture lifters and sliders have the training and tools to move heavy furniture efficiently. Hiring professionals is the best way to move furniture easily. Whether you’re looking for help with a local move or need Cross Country Movers, the experts at Stewart Moving & Storage can help you create a moving plan that meets your needs.

Read more: How to choose the best moving company

FAQ’s About Heavy Furniture Moving