Sometimes moving furniture can be considered one of the hardest aspects of moving homes. Big sofas, bulky tables, dressers and cabinets may be hard to pick up, move and transport through doors. If you don’t do your homework, you can easily ruin your furniture, your walls and even the floor.
However, moving furniture doesn’t necessarily have to be hard. With enough preparation and planning, the process will be easy for you.
No matter if you’re moving to a new place, re-arranging your property or just clearing out some old stuff, you’ll find these Tips on Moving Furniture helpful.
1. Measure Everything Before You Start
Before you try to move any bulky furniture item, it is wise that you spend a couple of minutes measuring the dimensions of the item.
For instance, a couch can easily fit within the interior of a house but it won’t be able to get out of the door to the exterior of the house.
Measure Your Furniture
Check the height, width and depth of larger furniture pieces. Pay particular attention to items such as:
- Sofas and lounges
- Wardrobes
- Dining tables
- Bed frames
- Bookcases
- Large cabinets
Write the measurements down so you can compare them with the available spaces.
Check Your Moving Route
After that, you need to take the measurements of all doorways, hallways, and any other small spaces on your proposed route. In case you are moving to a new location, ensure you do the same at that place too.
Stairs, elevators, narrow entryways, and removal truck loading/unloading space should also be considered in the process. Planning the route in advance can be considered as one of the most practical Tips for Moving Furniture.
2. Prepare Furniture Before Moving It
Trying to move furniture exactly as it is can make the job much harder. Preparing each item first can reduce its weight and make it easier to handle.
Empty Drawers and Cupboards
Ensure that you strip the furniture of any belongings such as clothes, books, kitchenware and others. A little bit of additional weight could make it difficult for you to manage your furniture.
Clearing out the drawers prevents the contents from shifting or falling out while transporting the furniture.
Remove Detachable Parts
If possible, remove parts that make furniture larger or heavier.
For example, you may be able to:
- Remove table legs
- Take shelves out of bookcases
- Remove drawers from cabinets
- Separate bed frames
- Take cushions off sofas
- Remove detachable doors
Place all screws, nuts and bolts in labeled bags and store them in a safe place such that you can easily access them during the assembly process.
The disassembly of furniture where possible is one of those Tips for Moving Furniture that can have a huge impact, especially when dealing with large furniture.
3. Protect Your Furniture and Property
Furniture can easily get scratched, chipped or dented during a move. At the same time, walls, floors and door frames can also suffer damage.
Taking a few precautions before moving can help prevent these problems.
Wrap Delicate Furniture
Use moving blankets, protective covers or suitable wrapping materials for furniture that needs extra care.
Pay special attention to:
- Glass tables
- Mirrors
- Polished timber
- Painted furniture
- Wooden corners
- Delicate surfaces
Secure the protective material properly so it does not come loose while you are carrying the item.
Protect Your Floors
Different flooring types can be vulnerable to damage during furniture removal. Timber, tiles and polished floors can all be scratched if heavy furniture is dragged across them.
Use suitable protective coverings along the moving route. If you need to move an item across the floor, use appropriate furniture sliders or lifting equipment rather than dragging it.
Protect Doorways and Walls
Corners and door frames are easy to damage when moving large furniture.
If an item is a tight fit, slow down and check the position before turning it. Having another person guide you can make it easier to avoid walls and door frames.
These Tips for Moving Furniture can help protect both your belongings and your property from unnecessary damage.
4. Use Suitable Equipment and Get Help
Heavy furniture can be difficult to move safely without the right equipment. Instead of relying only on physical strength, use tools that can make the job more manageable.
Useful Moving Equipment
Depending on the furniture, you may need:
- Furniture dollies
- Moving trolleys
- Lifting straps
- Furniture sliders
- Moving blankets
- Protective gloves
- Strong packing tape
Make sure the equipment can safely handle the weight of the furniture you are moving.
Work as a Team
Never try to move a large wardrobe, solid wood table, or any other bulky item alone.
Prior to lifting, you should discuss and make clear instructions about whose job is to lift from each end. One person can be the leader and the rest will follow his instructions.
Communication is especially important during the process of moving furniture up or down the stairs.
In case the item is too heavy or hard to move, it is always better to hire professional movers instead of putting your health at stake.
When to call professional movers is one of the main Tips for Moving Furniture.
5. Decide What You Really Need to Move
Moving house gives you a great opportunity to sort through your furniture. You may find that some items are no longer useful or do not suit your new property.
Instead of spending time and money moving everything, decide what you actually want to keep.
Sort Your Furniture
Separate unwanted items into different categories:
Keep:
Furniture you want to take to your new home.
Sell or Donate:
Items that are still in good condition but are no longer needed.
Remove:
Broken, damaged or unusable furniture that you do not want to keep.
This can significantly reduce the amount of furniture you need to transport.
Plan Unwanted Furniture Removal
In case there are a few items that need to be disposed of, you should find out about the regulations for disposal of bulky waste and furniture from your local council, because they may vary depending on different councils in Australia.
Do not just put those items that you no longer need on the kerb unless you have been told that they would be collected.
It is also helpful to arrange the removal of furniture prior to the moving day, as this will provide some additional space for moving.
This can be added to the Tips for Moving Furniture as sorting unnecessary items beforehand.
Common Furniture Moving Mistakes to Avoid
Even a well-planned move can become difficult if you make a few common mistakes. Try to avoid the following:
Moving Without Measuring
Never assume that a piece of furniture will fit through a doorway. Measure first and plan your route.
Carrying Furniture That Is Too Heavy
Do not try to prove you can lift something on your own. Heavy furniture can cause serious strain if handled incorrectly.
Dragging Furniture Across Floors
Dragging heavy items can leave scratches and marks. Use suitable equipment instead.
Forgetting to Protect Corners
Furniture corners can easily hit walls and door frames. Take extra care when turning large items.
Leaving Drawers and Doors Unsecured
Loose drawers and doors can open while furniture is being carried. Remove them where possible or secure them properly.
Rushing the Job
Quick movement when relocating items may lead to the risk of accidents and damages. Be patient and communicate clearly with those assisting you.
Failure to do so will be avoided if some easy things are done correctly.
When Is Professional Furniture Removal a Better Option?
Some furniture can be moved easily with help from friends or family. However, certain situations call for professional assistance.
You may want to consider professional furniture removal if you have:
- Very large or heavy furniture
- Multiple bulky items
- Furniture on upper floors
- Narrow staircases
- Difficult access
- Limited time
- Large amounts of unwanted furniture
Professional removal teams have experience handling awkward and heavy items. They can also use suitable equipment to make the job more efficient.
This can be especially useful if you are moving several pieces at once or clearing furniture from a property.
Final Thoughts
Furniture relocation will be so much easier with proper preparation. Measure your furniture, measure your moving path, remove heavy items and protect your possessions before starting.
Don’t forget about your safety too. In case the furniture is too heavy to move safely, consulting professionals is the best way to avoid any trouble and injuries.
These Tips for Moving Furniture will help you to feel more prepared when the moving day comes.
If you also have unwanted furniture that needs to be cleared from your home or property, A Load Of Rubbish can help. For reliable furniture removal sunshine coast, get in touch with the team to discuss your furniture removal requirements and find a suitable solution.