Moving furniture within your house involves planning, using the right techniques, and utilizing helpful tools to make the process safer and easier.
Moving furniture can be challenging, but employing the right strategies and tools simplifies the task significantly.
Essential Steps for Moving Furniture
Before you start lifting and pushing, taking a few preparatory steps can prevent damage and injury.
- Plan Your Route: Clear the path you intend to take. Remove obstacles like rugs, decor, and small furniture. Measure doorways and tight corners to ensure the furniture will fit.
- Prepare the Furniture:
- Empty drawers and cabinets to reduce weight. Secure doors and drawers with tape or shrink wrap.
- Remove detachable parts like legs, shelves, or cushions if possible.
- Protect the furniture itself by wrapping it in blankets or furniture pads, especially corners and edges.
- Protect Your Home: Lay down floor protection (cardboard, moving blankets, or plastic runners) if you are concerned about scratches, especially on hardwood or delicate flooring. Protect walls and door frames, particularly around tight turns.
Smart Techniques and Tools
Conserving your strength is key. Instead of relying solely on brute force, shift the load onto tools designed for moving heavy objects.
Leverage Moving Tools
Using the right equipment dramatically eases the burden of moving heavy furniture.
- Dollies and Hand Trucks: Whenever possible, conserve your strength and shift the load onto a dolly or hand truck. These wheeled tools are perfect for moving boxes and some types of furniture across flat surfaces.
- Furniture Sliders: Place furniture sliders under the legs or corners of large furniture. These plastic or felt discs reduce friction, which will allow you to slide heavy objects easily over smooth floors like hardwood, tile, or laminate. Be sure to use the correct type for your flooring.
- Lifting Straps/Shoulder Dollies: Use lifting straps or shoulder dollies to distribute the weight of heavy furniture. These straps go under the item and over your shoulders or arms, allowing you to use your legs and core strength more effectively while keeping your back straighter. They also free up your hands for balance.
Proper Lifting and Moving Techniques
Even with tools, proper technique is vital to avoid injury.
- Lift with Your Legs: Bend at your knees, keep your back straight, and lift using the powerful muscles in your legs.
- Communicate: If moving with another person, communicate clearly about when you're ready to lift, where you're going, and any obstacles.
- Push or Pull, Don't Drag (Unless using sliders): Once an item is on wheels or sliders, push or pull it smoothly. Avoid dragging heavy items without sliders, as this can damage both the furniture and the floor.
- Pivot: When navigating corners, stand the furniture upright (if safe and possible) and pivot it on one corner or edge.
Getting Help
Don't hesitate to ask for assistance. Many hands make light work, and having another person (or two) can make moving large or awkward items much safer and more efficient. Assign roles and ensure everyone understands the plan.
Moving furniture within your house can be done safely and effectively by planning ahead, using proper lifting techniques, and leveraging tools like dollies, furniture sliders, and lifting straps as highlighted.
