To make furniture easy to move, utilize specialized tools and supplies like dollies, sliders, lifting straps, and protective wraps and blankets, along with appropriate transportation.
Moving heavy or bulky furniture doesn't have to be an overwhelming task. By using the right equipment and techniques, you can significantly reduce the effort and risk involved, making the process much smoother and safer. The key is to protect the furniture, make it easier to lift or slide, and secure it properly for transport.
Essential Tools and Supplies for Easy Furniture Moving
Making furniture easier to move relies on having the right tools on hand. These items help protect both your furniture and your home, while also providing mechanical advantages for lifting and transporting.
Based on recommendations, essential supplies include:
- Moving blankets: For padding and protecting furniture surfaces from scratches and dents.
- Stretch wrap: To secure drawers, doors, and loose parts, and keep padding in place.
- Dollies: Flat platforms with wheels, ideal for moving large, heavy items like dressers or appliances.
- Lifting straps: Designed to leverage your body weight and reduce strain when lifting heavy objects.
- Hand trucks: Upright carts with wheels and a platform base, perfect for moving boxes or furniture that can be tilted and strapped on.
- Tie down straps: To secure furniture in the moving truck, preventing shifting during transit.
- Furniture sliders: Small pads placed under furniture legs or bases, allowing them to slide easily across different floor types.
- Packing tape: Useful for securing protective materials or bundling smaller items attached to furniture.
If you are planning to move the furniture on your own without a professional service, you will also need a truck for transporting.
Protecting Your Furniture and Home
Before you even lift or slide, protecting your furniture is crucial. This prevents damage during the move.
Using Protective Materials
- Moving Blankets: Wrap furniture entirely in moving blankets. These thick pads provide a cushion against impacts and prevent scratches when sliding or carrying items through doorways. Secure the blankets with packing tape or stretch wrap.
- Stretch Wrap: Use stretch wrap generously around padded furniture. It holds the blankets in place, secures doors and drawers shut, and protects fabric surfaces from dirt or snags.
Lifting, Sliding, and Transporting
Reducing friction and bearing weight correctly are key to making furniture easy to move.
Tools for Effortless Movement
- Furniture Sliders: For non-carpeted floors, place furniture sliders under each leg or corner of the item. On carpet, use hard plastic sliders. This allows you to slide even heavy pieces with minimal effort, protecting your floors from scratches.
- Dollies and Hand Trucks: For very heavy items like refrigerators, wardrobes, or chests, a dolly or hand truck is invaluable. Tilt the furniture slightly, slide the dolly or hand truck underneath, strap the item securely, and then you can easily roll it. Hand trucks are particularly useful for items that are taller than they are wide.
- Lifting Straps: When carrying heavy items up or down stairs or over obstacles, lifting straps can distribute the weight across your shoulders and legs, reducing strain on your back and arms. Work with a partner and ensure clear communication when using straps.
Securing Furniture for Transport
Once you're ready to load the furniture into a truck, securing it properly is vital to prevent shifting and potential damage during transit.
- Tie Down Straps: Use tie down straps to firmly anchor furniture items to the walls of the moving truck. Position items strategically, placing heavier items towards the front and bottom. Loop straps around sturdy parts of the furniture and truck anchors, pulling them tight to eliminate movement.
- Packing Tape: While primarily for boxes, packing tape can also be used to secure padding or hold ropes in place around furniture items before strapping them down.
Transporting Your Furniture
Finally, having the right vehicle is essential.
- Truck: If moving furniture yourself, a suitably sized truck (rental or owned) is necessary to safely transport items from one location to another. Ensure items are packed tightly and secured with tie down straps to prevent them from shifting and getting damaged during the journey.
By using this combination of protective materials, lifting aids, and securement tools, moving furniture becomes a manageable task rather than a daunting challenge.
