How to Lift Heavy Furniture When Moving

Plan Your Move

Before we leap into the lifting process itself, take a moment to think about your moving process. Moving companies vary across the country—some offer full teams of movers while others allow you to simply rent a truck or container and handle the loading yourself.

But opting to skip the team of movers doesn’t mean you can skip your homework when choosing the best moving company. You still want to make sure the company:

• Guarantees your rental
• Guarantees your delivery window (if they’re handling the driving)
• Meets federal standards
• Offers additional insurance
• Provides a clear contract

If you opt for the DIY approach, make sure you have enough people helping to move heavy furniture within a reasonable timeframe. Couches, loveseat, dining room tables, and large bookshelves require at least two people. Professional furniture movers typically provide more than two people so that all the heavy lifting doesn’t fall to one pair.

Lastly, be sure to measure your door frames and hallways in both your old and new homes before starting the move. You may need to disassemble certain items for a clean fit.

Purchase or Rent Moving Equipment

Even if you’re looking to cut costs, buying or renting professional moving tools will save time and energy as well as protect your safety. These items are ideal for carrying large pieces of furniture, heavy boxes, or awkwardly shaped items. Moving equipment can also protect your floors, walls, and stairways from damage on the way out or into a home.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common pieces of equipment. The majority of these can be rented from your mover or at a local hardware store.

Dollies and Hand Truck

Add a set of wheels to your moving process with a set of dollies or hand trucks. Moving dollies tend to have a wider base, making them ideal for transporting boxes, large items, or even appliances like washing machines.

Hand trucks tip backward, adjusting the weight of the item back toward your body. You can also specifically rent an appliance dolly with industrial-strength handles and straps for heavy loads.

Furniture Sliders

If you have a clear path from your home to the door, sliders will save you crucial time and energy. These small tools come in many shapes and sizes but all work the same way. Sliders fit under the legs of large chairs, tables, or sofas to easily push them along floors without damage.

Even if you have to eventually head down a flight of stairs, sliders can help while rearranging your furniture for the moving process.

Lifting Straps

Lifting straps—also known as shoulder dollies—redistribute the weight to different muscle groups in your body when lifting a heavy piece of furniture. The straps fit over your shoulders and under the large item to make it easier to pick up without straining your back or arms.

The system also keeps your arms relatively free so you can maneuver through doors and head to the moving truck.

Similarly, a mattress sling wraps around larger items to safely carry a mattress to and from a moving truck with ease.

Moving Blankets

Professional movers use moving blankets or large sheets of plastic wrap to keep furniture in place during transitions. These versatile tools can:

• Protect the item from nicks and scratches
• Provide a safer grip
• Assist in moving heavy items across the floor or carpet

Packing Supplies

Lastly, make sure you check off all the common packing supplies before attempting a move on your own. All fragile items should be protected with bubble wrap, newspaper, or protective blankets. 

Arrange Your Home

Before sending the first box out to the truck, make a plan for emptying out your home. Large and heavy items should always go into the truck or container first. Be sure that there are no boxes or obstructions between the doorway and your largest pieces of furniture before starting.

Arranging your items from lightest to heaviest can significantly save time on moving day, especially if you are charged by the hour for the rental.

Disassemble Furniture

Does your bed frame, bookcase, or futon come apart? Professional movers break down as much as possible before fitting it all out the door. 

Spend the day before the move disassembling items that will take up unnecessary space in the truck. Remember to store and clearly mark all hardware from each piece of furniture so you can safely reassemble them when you arrive at your new home.

Practice Proper Lifting Techniques

Now that you have your home and equipment in order, it’s time to tackle the big question: how do you lift heavy furniture safely? Follow these general techniques to get started.

Bend at Your Knees

Never lean over from the hips and lift with your back muscles. The weight of the items can lead to injury when your back is placed in this position. Instead, bend deeply at the knees with your hands in front of your body.

Keep Your Back Straight

Once you have a strong grip on the edge of the item, keep your back straight and push up from your knees without leaning over. Engage your core and hip muscles to stay upright.

Carry Close to Your Body

Keep the piece of furniture as close to your body as possible when walking. Hanging it too far away will place the weight on your shoulders or forearms instead of your hips and legs.

Be Mindful Moving Down Stairs

Handling stairs is a skill of its own, especially when making several trips with heavy items. We recommend using the high and low method in this case. One lifter carries the item by their chest while the other lets it drop below their hips. This method can distribute uneven weight in a safer way, particularly when moving down steps.

Recruit a Lookout

You should always be able to see where you’re moving next, even if you have to move backward when carrying. For extra safety, ask a friend to help guide your path. They can alert you of tight corners, low ceilings, fitting through small doorways.

Turn Chairs as You Go

Large chairs and sofas may not first appear to fit through a small door frame, but there may be more options if you use the hooking method. Fit the larger half of the chair through the door first (typically the seat and cushions) and turn the chair as you push, fitting the backrest through second.

Be Mindful of Height

When using a furniture dolly, never load an item higher than your eye level. Not only does it obstruct your view, but the weight can throw off your balance and become dangerous.

Moving heavy furniture is possible on your own when you take the right precautions. Above all else, put your health and safety first. Many companies will also offer last-minute moving team services if you’re concerned about heavy objects a few days before the big move.