Generally, moving heavy furniture is considered a troublesome job. You'll be sweating, maybe a backache, and you'll have to turn to friends for help. Buying new furniture can feel complicated and unprofitable because you know you have to drag it to where you want it. In fact, if you use the right technique, moving heavy furniture can be done easily.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Moving Heavy Furniture Using Sliding Bearings
Step 1. Purchase sliding bearings for furniture
You can purchase a sliding bearing of the right size at your local hardware or furniture store. Large retail stores like Ace Hardware usually sell this kind of product. If you plan to move furniture through carpet or grass, choose a special pad for this purpose.
If you don't have a sliding bearing, you can also use a Frisbee
Step 2. Place sliding pads under each corner of the furniture
Lift each corner and place the sliding pad underneath so the soft end is pointing toward the floor. This will reduce friction so that movement becomes easier.
Step 3. Push the furniture
After placing the sliding pads under each corner of the furniture, you can start pushing them. Seeking someone else's help will help ensure the furniture doesn't topple over. Push the furniture from the lower section instead of the top to reduce the risk of toppling over. With bearings, friction is virtually non-existent so furniture should move smoothly.
Method 2 of 3: Using Additional Equipment to Move Furniture
Step 1. Use the shoulder dolly (shoulder belt to lift things)
It comes in the form of a wide shoulder strap that fits over your shoulders and helps you move weight off your back. The shoulder dolly helps you use your strongest muscle groups while giving you added lift. You can buy a shoulder doll on the internet.
It is not recommended to use the shoulder dolly to move furniture up or down stairs. The burden will shift almost entirely to the person in the lower position
Step 2. Use a moving blanket
Instead of using a sliding pad, you can also have the option of using a duvet pad which is usually designed to keep the furniture secure while it is being moved. Duvet pads work the same way as sliding pads, although you'll need to place the entire blanket under the furniture. Once the entire blanket is under the furniture, you can start pulling the blanket in the desired direction. The furniture will move with the blanket. This trick is easier than trying to lift the whole piece of furniture.
If you need to move heavy furniture upstairs, try folding up some duvet covers and placing them on each step to turn them into makeshift ramps. After that, you can place another blanket under the furniture and pull the ends to move the furniture through the stairs. If the condition of the stairs is very steep, you should ask a friend for help to hold the back of the furniture steady
Step 3. Use the goods cart
Hand trucks (standing trolleys) or goods trolleys can be good alternatives, depending on the type of furniture you are moving. Hand trucks are metal equipment for moving goods that are standing upright with wheels at the bottom. The handle is at the top and the platform for placing the furniture is at the bottom near the wheels. The goods trolley is a small square platform with four wheels. Trolley goods are available in various sizes.
- Use a hand truck to move furniture by pushing a platform under the furniture to be moved. Hand trucks are more suitable for moving bookshelves, desks, chests of drawers that are smaller in size. Position the furniture on the hand truck and tilt the handle toward you. The furniture will rest on the hand truck and you can move it easily. This step is easier than pushing furniture.
- Be careful when using this equipment. If you try to move furniture that is too large, it may fall and fall on you. Your strength should be able to keep the furniture upright.
- The goods cart is very easy to use. You simply place the furniture on the trolley, then you can push it anywhere. Make sure you use a trolley that is large enough for the furniture to be moved.
- Asking a friend to help lift the furniture will make the process of placing it on the trolley easier.
Step 4. Place glossy magazines under the corners of the furniture
Glossy magazines can help reduce friction with the floor and allow you to slide across furniture. This way, you won't damage the floor and barely feel the weight of the furniture. However, the magazine may be damaged.
Asking someone for help as you lift the corners of the furniture to place the magazines will make the job easier. You can also place the magazine on the floor, then lift the corner of the furniture yourself and push the magazine under it with your feet
Method 3 of 3: Manually Moving Heavy Furniture
Step 1. Use the high-low method
This method requires two people, but is effective for manually moving large pieces of furniture, such as bookshelves or large chests of drawers. Tilt the furniture back so that one person is holding the top while the second is holding the bottom. Maintain this incline as you move.
This way, you don't have to lift the furniture all the way up when you're ready to straighten it. In addition, this method allows you to go up or down stairs more easily
Step 2. Bend at the knees and hips as you lift the furniture
Use your core and leg muscles to lift heavy furniture instead of bending at the waist or using your back. You could seriously injure yourself if you try to use your back. The thighs are quite strong and less prone to injury.
Step 3. Overturn the chair as it passes through the corner
Turn the chair to the side so that it forms an “L” shape. This allows you to move the sofa or chair more easily through doors or sharp corners. Moving heavy furniture is hard enough especially if you have to maneuver through trial doors many times.
- Move the back of the chair through the door or corner first, then twist it around the doorway so the chair can pass through it easily.
- If you don't know how to bend your hips, start by squatting. Then lift the furniture from a squatting position using your legs to push your body up.
Step 4. Remove the heavy table legs and drawers from the chest of drawers
If you can make the furniture as light as possible, the better. Removing the heavy table legs will make moving them easier. If the table can be split into sections, move each section individually.
Separating furniture into sections is always an excellent tactic. Remove each drawer from the cupboard before moving it. This way, you can move the drawers separately and then move the cupboard itself
Step 5. Remove all items from the bookshelf before moving them
Trying to move a bookshelf full of books would be a very complicated task. The shelves will be much heavier and you'll also have a hard time balancing the bookshelves to keep the books from falling.
Take time to move books. This step will save you time and energy in the long run
Step 6. Consider hiring a professional
If you can't find someone to help move a large wardrobe down the stairs, don't even try. You could damage the house, damage the furniture, or injure yourself. Hiring a professional is relatively inexpensive if you only want to move a few items.
Look for information about companies that offer this kind of service and contact them for a quote
Tips
- Another way to move heavy objects is to place the broom handle under it and you just push it over the top.
- Be careful not to lift using back strength. Use your legs and keep your torso and torso relatively straight and nearly vertical. When lifting heavy furniture, use leg strength first, then back and arms.
- Sliding pads are designed for use on carpets.
- If you move furniture without stopping halfway, it will be easier for you to push it. Friction will increase significantly if the object stops.
- If you have hardwood floors, place a piece of old carpet under each leg before moving them. That way, the furniture will be easier to move and won't scratch the floor.
- The best way to move bookshelves is to remove all the books first.
