Moving a couch may seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. With some planning and preparation, you can make the move go as smoothly as possible.

First, take the time to clean up the couch and remove any items that could get in the way during transport. If your couch has detachable legs, try taking them off for a lighter and more efficient move.

Take it apart

Couches are large and bulky pieces of furniture that may be challenging to move. That is why it is essential to take the time to disassemble your couch before transporting it into a new home. In addition to keeping it safe from damage, taking out cushions and loose pillows reduces the weight required for transporting the couch.

Be sure to remove any books or magazines that are on the sofa before moving them into your new residence. Doing this will prevent them from being accidentally brought with you.

Before packing up the couch, it is wise to wipe down its upholstery with a cleaner or vacuum. Doing this prevents dirt and grime from getting on the couch and makes unpacking much simpler when moving into your new home.

Once you’ve taken out any loose hardware, it’s time to begin taking apart the couch piece by piece. For this job, you will need a box cutter, hand saw and screwdriver.

Some couches can be tricky to take apart, requiring you to use multiple tools or even a handsaw. Check your couch manual for specific instructions on how to disassemble each major component in order.

Before you begin, measure the width and height of all doors and passageways where you plan to move your couch. This will give you an accurate measure of how much room it will need.

Once you’ve taken all your measurements, write them down on a notepad. Then plan your route and determine how you’re going to get the couch through each doorway or hallway.

Once you’ve decided how to move the couch, it’s wise to add a floorboard beneath for extra support. Doing this can help avoid injuries when maneuvering through doorways or down stairs.

Ideal, you should have at least one person assist with the move; however, this may not always be possible. In such cases, a dolly is an ideal solution for getting the couch through narrow passageways. Additionally, it will enable you to lift the couch vertically and slide it through a doorway or up stairs with ease.

Get a dolly

If you’ve chosen to move your sofa yourself rather than hiring professional movers, the right tools and techniques are essential. In order to avoid damage during transit, make sure that it arrives undamaged at its new home.

Thankfully, a dolly is the ideal solution for this task. Not only is it lightweight and maneuverable, but it can help lift the couch without damaging it or your back.

Furniture dollies can be purchased online or from your local hardware store. These tools are ideal for moving heavier items and feature wheels that make dragging them across uneven terrain easy. Not only are these useful for moving couches in and out of your home, but they’re also great at transporting other bulky furniture pieces as well.

Before you begin lifting your couch, use a measuring tape to check its height, width and length. This will let you know whether it can pass through doors, corridors and staircases. If it’s too tall or wide for you to handle on your own, then it may be time for professional assistance.

Once you’ve identified your options, recruit the necessary help and communicate everything to keep everyone safe. This is especially critical if moving a sectional sofa as one person should be at each end.

Once you’re ready to begin, secure the sofa on a dolly with straps or rope and strap it securely in place. This will prevent it from sliding during transportation and make life much simpler as you won’t have to worry about shifting it in the back of a truck or van.

Next, you must safely transport the item onto the loading ramp of your moving truck. This may be a little challenging so take extra caution.

It’s best to wear comfortable, flexible clothes and closed anti-slip shoes when walking up and down this ramp frequently. Additionally, take time to think each step through so you don’t accidentally bump into something or slip.

Plan your route

When moving a couch by yourself, it’s essential to plan your route carefully. Doing so will help eliminate any obstacles along the way that could make it difficult for you to successfully transport the sofa.

Start by measuring the dimensions of your couch, as well as any openings where it must fit – such as doorways, hallways, staircases, elevator doors or tight corners. Once those measurements have been taken take measurements of all these places accordingly.

Plan your route and determine what lifting equipment you’ll need. A flat furniture dolly is the most straightforward tool for this job, but larger furniture sliders could also come in handy.

A dolly with a wide platform and wheels that can glide over most surfaces will help keep the couch steady while being moved efficiently. To use, lift one end of the couch, slide it onto the dolly, slowly guiding it into position with tie-down straps. Finally, roll the dolly to your vehicle or stairwell for transport.

One option is to tarp or blanket the couch before moving it. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a tarp, use cardboard or plastic wrap on its base; this will protect it from getting dirty or soiled and allow for reuse once in its new home.

Once you’ve decided the best method for moving the couch, enlist the assistance of friends and family members to get the job done safely. Depending on how big your couch is, you may need two or three people per side for assistance.

Next, lift the couch from the bottom up (not from the back), squatting to bear weight on it instead of bending at your waist. This technique will enable you to work in a more balanced manner and help protect you against injury.

Once your couch is upright, you can load it into your SUV or truck with ease if your vehicle has either a loading ramp or dock. However, remember that moving such large and heavy furniture alone requires considerable strength so be sure you’re in good health before beginning this task.

Lift it up

When moving a large piece of furniture, it’s wise to plan out your lift in advance. Doing so helps avoid injuries and ensures the job gets done quickly and efficiently.

When lifting something heavy or having kids or pets around the house, it’s best to enlist the help of other people. This goes double if you need extra strength for each lift.

Communication is key when managing any project, so be sure to keep everyone updated. A great way to do this is with a checklist outlining each step you plan on completing.

Ideally, you’ll need at least three people to assist with couch lifting. This is especially critical if working with larger furniture pieces like sofas or sectionals.

Once you have some helpers, it’s time to plan your lift. Doing this will guarantee that the couch can be moved quickly without damage or risk of injury.

Before beginning, measure the path your couch must take. This may be difficult, but it’s a great way to decide where your best chances are for getting over any obstacles in its way.

When performing actual lifting, you’ll want to focus on proper technique. For instance, when lifting something too large for your shoulders, squat at your knees; this helps protect your back from becoming injured while doing heavy duty work.

When lifting, use your arms to spread the weight as evenly as possible. Not only will this assist with lifting up the couch, but it’ll also keep it from tipping over.

When using a dolly, it’s wise to tip the couch vertically so you can slide it on. Additionally, tie-down straps can help hold the dolly securely during transit.

You might need to play a bit of tetris with your couch if you need to fit it through an awkward corner or doorway. This may be especially challenging if the elements such as legs or the sofa seat protrude from the frame, but not impossible.