Guide to Moving Your Furniture Safely

Why is safety so important when moving large furniture?

Transporting large furniture demands more than just brute strength. It necessitates meticulous planning, using the right tools, and precise techniques to prevent injuries and damage even for professional furniture movers. Imagine going through all the trouble of moving a very large piece of furniture and finding out at the end of the move that it is full of scratches. We can all agree it is NOT going to be a fun experience.

So how do we get it safely to our new home?

Overview of the guide

In this guide, we will cover:

• Preparation
• Disassembly and protection
• Moving techniques
• Navigating challenges
• Loading and transporting
• Reassembly and final placement

Let's dive into each section to ensure you have all the information you need for a successful move.

Preparation is key

Assessing the furniture

Before beginning your move, carefully estimate your move size and examine each piece of furniture. Measure its size, determine its weight, and identify any parts that can be disassembled. This thorough assessment will enable you to execute a more efficient and well-planned move.

Measuring dimensions and weight

Carefully measure your furniture to gauge its dimensions and ensure it can navigate doorways, hallways, and staircases. Assessing the weight is crucial, too, as it will indicate whether you can do it yourself, need extra assistance from a moving company or specialized equipment for the furniture move.

Identifying disassembly points

Identify parts of the furniture that can be disassembled to make it easier to move. This could include removing legs, drawers, or other detachable components.

Gathering what you need

Moving straps and dollies

Invest in moving straps and dollies, which are essential tools for moving heavy furniture. It will certainly help make the process easier. Moving straps distribute weight evenly, and dollies enable you to roll furniture, reducing the need for excessive lifting.

Protective gear and tools

With any job that involves lifting heavy items, you need to make sure you are well protected. Things like gloves and closed toe footwear and even steel cap work boots can protect you from personal injuries. Tools such as electric screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches for bolts and hex keys for those hex screws will your disassembly work even easier.

Planning the way out

Measuring doorways, hallways, and staircases

A smart thing to do is to measure all the pathways your furniture will pass through to ensure it fits without getting stuck. Do this beforehand. If you can identify how the furniture may need to be rotated and angled around tricky doorways, hallways, and staircases you'll be even more prepared.

Clearing obstacles and making a clear path

Walk the path that you plan to take to move the furniture out of the house and remove any obstacles you find in the way. Especially objects or tripping hazards along the route, make sure you clear them so you have a clear path for moving the furniture. This will prevent accidents and make the process more efficient.

Disassemble and protect your items

Disassembling furniture

Removing legs, drawers, and other parts

Carefully disassemble the furniture by removing legs, drawers, any glass parts and other detachable parts. Doing so will help you manoeuvre through tight spaces and also prevent both the furniture and house from being marked or damaged.

Labeling parts for reassembly

Some furniture pieces can be tricky to disassemble so find the original manual if you can, otherwise label each part as you disassemble it and create a set of instructions to make reassembly easier later on. Taking photos and videos can help too! Keep all screws and small parts in labeled bags and attached it to a piece of the furniture so it's altogether and won't get lost.

Protecting the furniture

Wrapping with moving blankets

Use furniture moving blankets to cover and wrap your furniture, this is the best way to protect it from scratches and dents during the move. As these blankets have a thick layer of padding it will help shield delicate surfaces and corners from getting damaged. You can then secure the blankets with moving straps or packing tape so the blanket stays in place while the furniture is on the road and throughout the moving process.

Using bubble wrap and corner protectors

For added protection, use bubble wrap for fragile parts and corner protectors to safeguard edges. Making sure to tape them down with packing tape so they don't fall off easily during transit.

Effective moving techniques

Lifting and carrying safely

Proper lifting techniques

To prevent injuries, practice proper lifting techniques. Bend your knees and maintain a straight back. Use your legs, not your back, to minimize spinal strain. Engage your core muscles for extra support and ensure a solid grip on the object with gloves that provide extra grip. If the load is too heavy, seek assistance or utilize lifting equipment.

It takes a team and communication

When moving with others, keep clear communication and work together by planning and strategizing together beforehand. Synchronize your movements to keep a consistent pace and make sure everyone is safe at all times. Be mindful of each other's physical capabilities and strengths and take short rests often if it's a heavy item.

Using moving equipment

Operating dollies and hand trucks

Learn how to operate dollies and hand trucks correctly. Always secure the furniture on the dolly and if the furniture is too heavy or awkward, make sure you use straps to keep it in place and having another person to brace the furniture can help you get it to wherever it needs to go in one piece without damage.

Utilizing moving straps

Moving straps can help distribute the weight evenly and make it easier to lift heavy items. They usually come with a maximum load capacity and ideal for moving furniture. Follow the instructions carefully and only move the item once it is securely fastened.

Navigating the challenges

Moving through tight spaces

Angling and manoeuvring techniques

There will come a time when your spatial geometry skills will be put to the test and you need to angle and rotate your furniture through narrow and tight spaces. Tilt and pivot the furniture as needed to fit through narrow openings. Have a plan and communicate it with your helpers rather than going in blindly.

Detach handles and legs

Remember every inch counts when you are moving furniture through tight spots so look at your furniture and remove what you can to give yourself that extra inch of space to play with. The most common being refrigerator door handles, doors and furniture legs and cushions.

Handling stairs and elevators

Safe practices for stairs

When moving furniture up or down stairs, take it one step at a time. Have your moving team keep the furniture balanced and upright at all times. Use a dolly or moving straps for added control and stability. Having more helpers where it make sense to do so.

Elevator use and precautions

When using an elevator, make sure the furniture fits within the elevator before trying to move it in, some apartment blocks need you to follow weight restrictions and maybe even block out the time where you plan to use an elevator, so keep that in mind when moving.

Loading and transporting furniture

Loading into the vehicle

Positioning and securing furniture

Position the furniture strategically in the vehicle to maximize space and prevent damage. Maybe tucked into the corner of the truck or the side walls. Start by placing larger pieces first, followed by smaller items to fill gaps. Use straps and padding to secure it in place to avoid movement during transit.

Balancing weight distribution

Having all the weight on one side can cause the truck to overturn, so think about how you want to distribute the weight evenly as you load the furniture to maintain balance and stability during transport. Proper weight distribution also makes for easier truck handling on the road for long- distance driving and it's also a lot safer and manageable.

Transporting the load safely

Driving tips for transporting your furniture

If you're the one doing the driving when moving large furniture, drive slowly and carefully and maintain a clear distance between you and vehicles around you. A heavier load requires a longer stopping distance and remember the best way to avoid shifting and damage is to steer clear of sudden stops and sharp turns. Secure your furniture well with straps or ropes, and periodically check your load during the trip to ensure everything stays in place.

Unloading procedures

Follow similar steps as when loading the furniture. Take your time and ensure the path is clear before unloading.

Reassembly and final placement

Reassembling furniture

Following labels and instructions

Unload all furniture parts in the designated area of the room where they will be finally assembled before beginning the reassembly process. Use the labels and instructions you prepared during disassembly to reassemble the furniture fully. It's a good time to refer back to the photos and videos from earlier on when you disassembled the furniture.

Ensuring stability and functionality

Make sure all parts are securely fastened, and check that the screws and bolts are tightened properly. Check that all moving parts operate smoothly and the furniture is stable and functional by testing it for any wobbling or instability before you position it in place.

Final placement

Positioning furniture in the new space

You can now position the furniture in the desired location in your new space. There are lots to think about when arranging furniture, for an inviting arrangement think about the layout and flow of the room. Where's the source of the natural light coming from and what's the functionality and purpose of each piece, including how they interact with one another. A well thought out arrangement creates a comfortable and inviting atmosphere you'll no doubt keep using.

Don't be afraid to change and adjust

You may not get it right the first time and don't be afraid to make adjustments over time. Give it a week, have a sit and feel the new space you've created and if it doesn't work or feel right, switch it up until you achieve the best arrangement and functionality for your space.

Conclusion

Moving large pieces of furniture is not as unachievable as you think. If you have the right tools, right movers and team of people willing to help, you can make sure your large and bulky furniture pieces are moved from one house to another intact and safely without a scratch. Remember to prioritize safety, use the right equipment, and plan your route carefully.

If you ever feel overwhelmed or unsure, don't hesitate to seek professional help. The moving experts here at KZ2 Moving Company have the experience and tools to handle even the most challenging furniture moves.

By implementing these tips and techniques in this guide, you'll be well-prepared to tackle your next move with confidence and ease. Good luck!