How to Move a Couch – Tips for Moving a Couch

14th February, 2017

Moving a couch can be tricky, because you not only need to know how to move a couch, you need to know how to move a couch through a door or even how to move a couch through a narrow hallway. Here’s a step-by-step process that will see you move your couch with ease:

Step 1: Clean and wrap the couch

Step 2: Measure the dimensions of the couch

Step 3: Measure the dimensions of the access points

Step 4: Compare the measurements

Step 5: Make any necessary adjustments to either the access points or the couch

Step 6: Move the couch safely

Step 7: Contact a professional if you’re stuck.

Step 1: Clean and Wrap the Couch

When it comes to knowing how to move a couch, the first step is easy. Begin by cleaning the surface of your couch. If it’s made from fabric, use an antimicrobial cleaner suitable for material. If it’s a leather couch, give it a wipe down with a damp cloth, or a cleaner designed specifically for this purpose. If your couch has detachable legs, now is the time to remove them and pop them in a safe place. Then, make sure you allow the couch to dry completely.

Once dry, wrap each individual couch cushion in heavy duty plastic wrap, and then set them aside. Never try to move a couch with the cushions still in place. Cushions add unnecessary weight and tend to slide around, becoming an annoyance and even a trip hazard.

Finally, wrap the couch itself in the same heavy duty plastic wrap. Make sure this wrap is fastened properly, or taped down for complete protection while moving a couch.

Step 2: Measure the Dimensions of the Couch

Before you even think about moving a sofa, get out your trusty tape measure, and accurately measure and record all of its dimensions. Make sure that you remove the legs of the couch (if you can) before you take its measurements. You need to measure the couch’s:

• Height: using the back of the couch, measure from the very top to the very bottom
• Length: from the very end of one arm to the other
• Width: from the back of the couch to the front.

Make sure you write down all these measurements, because you’re going to need them shortly.

Step 3: Measure the Dimensions of the Access Points

Once you have the measurements of your couch recorded, it’s now time to measure all the access points through which your couch will need to be moved. This includes all the doors, hallways, staircases and any other spaces that you’re trying to manoeuvre it through.

If you want to know how to get a couch through a narrow hallway, then pay close attention to this next tip: You can save time by just measuring the narrowest space, in terms of length and width.

Once again, remember to write the measurements down because you’re going to need them.

Step 4: Compare the Measurements

Now it’s time to compare the measurements and see if the couch is going to fit through all the obstacles. The most important point of comparison is the height of the couch and the width of the access point. If the back of the couch is higher than the width of any door, you need to make sure that the width is narrower than the access point—otherwise you’re in trouble.

Step 5: Make Any Necessary Adjustments to Either the Access Points or the Couch

Hopefully you’ve had a positive result at the end of your measurement comparison. If you haven’t, you’ll need to make a few alterations to either your couch or your access points.

If you need to know how to moving a couch through a door that is quite narrow, the best place to start is removing the door itself. While this may sound daunting, taking a door off its hinges really isn’t too tricky. All you need is a drill or a screwdriver. Just make sure you have someone to help you—you’ll need an extra pair of hands to hold the door, while you remove and replace the screws. Removing a door will usually give you an extra couple of inches. Fingers crossed, this is enough space through which to manoeuvre your couch.

If your couch still won’t fit, or if you’re moving a couch through a space that you can’t alter, like a narrow hallway, you may have to disassemble your couch. This is obviously a last resort. So double, triple and even quadruple check your measurements before you begin this arduous task. Sometimes, you just have to pick up the couch and turn it around in every direction to find that magical, elusive fit.

Step 6: Move the Couch Safely

Once you’ve found the right fit, it’s finally time to move your couch. No matter how strong you think you are, you should always enlist a buddy to help you.

Position one person at either end of the couch. At the same time, both of you should pick up the couch from the bottom, and then slowly tilt the entire couch into the position required to fit through your access points. Once in position, both of you should slowly move towards your destination. Remember not to move too quickly, or the person that is walking backwards is likely to trip. Both people should to keep their eye on the edges of the access point to ensure that couch doesn’t brush up against anything (such as walls or doorways), causing damage along the way.

When lifting heavy items, like a couch, you should always bend your knees and slowly lift with your legs. Never jerk quickly upwards or put all the weight on your back.

Step 7: Contact a Professional if You’re Stuck

If after all of your measuring, twisting and turning, huffing and puffing, you just can’t get your couch to where it needs to be, it’s probably time to call in the professionals. A professional removalist will know how to disassemble your couch and then reassemble it at its new home, all whilst keeping it in pristine condition.

Plus, if your couch is simply too big, professional removalists will be able to figure out alternative access points that just aren’t possible for you, such as roping it down off a balcony.

So, there’s your step-by-step guide on how to move a sofa. All you need is some measuring tape, a lending hand and the willingness to try a couple of angles, and you’ll be well on your way to getting your couch to its new home.