How To Safely Move Heavy Furniture?
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How To Safely Move Heavy Furniture?

Apr 15, 2024

Do you need to relocate beds, dressers, a dining table, or a pool table? Packing and lifting heavy and oddly shaped furniture can be strenuous.

Mishandling of bulky objects or recklessness could lead to potential physical injuries, including back strain, spinal cord compression, hamstrings, knee injuries and numbness. Plus, there is always a risk of damaging valuable household pieces and the surroundings. Scratches, dents, scuffed floors and broken doors are common repercussions of DIY furniture removals.

Thus, many people consider hiring cheap removalists Adelaide to avoid damages, injuries and inconveniences. However, if you are planning a DIY move, follow these useful tips to safely move heavy furniture pieces. This guide includes a proper plan, lifting techniques and important points to ensure a smooth and stress-free moving experience.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Prepare a Customised Furniture Moving Plan

Planning is one key aspect of determining the success of your home relocation, especially when bulky objects are involved.

So, begin by taking an inventory of all the large furniture items you might need to pack and relocate. Check room by room and jot down the list of pieces you want to discard, sell or donate to the local charity.

Also, set up a safe and sound route for taking those pieces out of the home and onto the vehicle. Ensure you precisely address the issues like compact hallways, straight stairs, and small door frames. This will help you streamline the process while preventing the risk of potential injuries.

2. Take Measurements of Doorways and Furniture

It is imperative to measure heavy furniture pieces, such as beds, dressers, a pool table, etc. Also, measure doorways, hallways, and stairways to ensure your objects fit comfortably through the doors.

Doing this can also help you determine whether you need to disassemble any items. Moreover, setting up a proper floor plan will make arranging furniture in a new home easy.

3. Remove Potential Obstacles

If you want to ensure a safe furniture moving experience, paying attention to detail and removing potential obstacles from the path is one way to do so. Clear the hallway and doorway by removing clutter, toys, bubble wrap, boxes, and shoes from the floor. This can prevent trips and falls. Make sure you pack all your clothes and other items before dismantling your large pieces.

Get rid of dust, dirt, and soil, as these could cause falls and trips when carrying or shifting heavy pieces.

4. Dismantle Large Furniture Pieces

cropped picture of a person with some furniture items

Disassembling heavy and large furniture pieces, such as beds, desks, dining tables, bookshelves, dressers, and sofas, makes it easy to pack, lift and transport without causing any damage. It can also prevent the risk of injuries and muscle strains. So, have a look at some basic furniture dismantling tips:

  • Assess the pieces that can be dismantled easily.
  • Arrange screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches and hammers ready.
  • Follow the instructions and remove the legs and glass frame from the pieces (if any)
  • Remove drawers and shelves of your bookshelves and dressers.
  • Securely pack the loose parts, nuts and bolts in a Ziploc bag.

Use labels and add numbers to the loose pieces to reassemble pieces easily. This will help you arrange and organise a new home in a breeze.

5. Carefully Wrap Your Heavy Objects

Once you have dismantled furniture, protect them using quality packing materials, such as bubble wrap, packing paper, etc.

Pack each piece carefully using multiple layers of packing paper, bubble wrap, and a moving blanket. This will help prevent scratches and dents.

Make sure you pack and take items with sharp edges using cushioning materials, such as towels, bed sheets, etc.

6. Follow Proper Lifting Techniques

You must adhere to proper lifting techniques when moving large furniture. Mishandling can put you at risk of serious injuries. So, here is a quick guide on lifting techniques, which is also followed by professional removalists Adelaide:

  • Firmly grip the heavy furniture pieces
  • Keep your back straight when lifting bulky items
  • Lift the object by bending your knees instead of your back
  • Keep the item close and centre to your body. This ensures stability and prevents injuries.
  • Do not twist or turn your back when carrying heavy objects.
  • Seek voluntary help from friends and relatives.

7. Use Specialised Moving Equipment & Prevent Injuries

This is one of the most important hacks to save your big day from lifting injuries and damages. You can rent the following moving equipment:

  • Moving Dollies: This tool can help you move bulky items. You can choose between a two-wheeled (upright dolly) for taller items or a four-wheeled (horizontal dolly) for wide furniture. Use it to take your large pieces from the room to the moving truck.
  • Furniture Sliders: Also known as gliders, these are rubber or hard plastic pieces placed under the legs of heavy furniture. You can use them and slide your couch or tables on the floor without leaving scratches behind.
  • Lifting Straps: These sturdy weightlifting accessories are made with leather and canvas. They can help you relieve weight from your back and arms during the lifting process.
  • Ramps: This will help you glide heavy objects onto the bed of moving trucks, preventing damages and injuries.

8. Carry Tall Furniture High and Low

Most people face challenges in moving tall furniture pieces like shelving units, filling cabinets, and tall dressers. So, it is good to ask your friends for assistance, place the item backward at an angle, and have one person carry it from the top and the other from the bottom. This will centre the weight and make lifting and carrying your tall furniture pieces easy.

9. Dress Appropriately: Proper Clothes and Shoes

Wearing loose clothes or shoes can lead to trips and falls. So, dress properly for the moving day, especially shoes or boots.

Wear comfortable and breathable clothes and gloves before lifting your furniture pieces.

10. Hire Professionals

Nothing is more relaxing than letting expert removalists Adelaide lift and move your heavy furniture. They follow safety measures when packing, lifting, and loading your precious bulky objects for a safe and sound move.

Do proper research, ask relevant questions and get accurate removals quotes before making the final decision.

Useful Tips to Safely Move Heavy Furniture:

tips for moving heavy furniture

Wrapping Up

These are some easy yet effective strategies for moving heavy furniture without potential challenges or injuries. Follow these safety tips to ensure hassle-free and seamless home relocation.