Besides hiring professional Wilmington moving companies, the secret to any successful move is time and planning. It’s always the days before a move that are the most hectic: downsizing the things you don’t need, packing all your belongings, changing the address for all your utilities, and more.
While all these tasks can be challenging, some are more challenging than others. Disassembling and moving large furniture, for example, can be considerably tasking—especially if you don’t know how.
5 Tips for Moving Large Furniture by Yourself
1. Disassemble When Possible
The biggest challenge with large furniture isn’t only the weight, but also its size. More often than not, objects don’t fit through the door without proper disassembly, first. Additionally, moving parts can become a risk during the move, so try to remove them whenever possible.
Remove legs, drawers, cushions, and any detachable parts to reduce weight and bulk. Make sure to keep the screws and small parts in labeled bags, though, so you can easily reassemble them later.
2. Use Sliders or Furniture Glides
Equipment is your best friend when attempting to move large objects on your own. Instead of carrying that big sofa on your own all the way, get furniture sliders to place under the corners and simply glide heavy items across floors without damaging them. Furniture glides work especially well on hardwood, tile, or low-pile carpet.
Even cardboard or towels can work similarly in a pinch.
3. Use Lifting Straps or a Dolly
These furniture-lifting straps connect to your shoulders and excel at taking the main weight of the furniture piece off your back and transferring that weight to your much stronger muscle groups. This helps prevent strains. You can buy one set online, or rent or purchase them from a local moving company.
A furniture dolly or hand truck is also great for large upright items like dressers, bookcases, or appliances.
4. Use the “High-Low” Carry for Stairs
When going up or down stairs, tilt the item so one end is higher than the other—this helps with balance and maneuverability. Remember to keep the heavy item close to your waist; that way it is centered in relation to your body. This helps you maintain more stability.
Just be extremely cautious; if the item is too heavy or awkward, get help. It’s important to keep a cautious mindset to minimize any risks.
5. Plan Your Path and Clear Obstacles
Before lifting anything, map out your route and remove rugs, door stoppers, and clutter. Don’t act: Think things through before you go ahead and lift any heavy furniture items. Doing things hastily can result in injuries and property damage.
Measure doorways and hallways to avoid getting stuck mid-move. Ensure the floor is solid and keep a wide and stable base with your feet before you try to lift any heavyweight items. When your feet are about shoulder-width apart, the weight of the heavy furniture piece will be distributed evenly across your body, thus not exerting too much pressure on one specific point.
Move Large Furniture Safely with Wilmington Moving Companies
Moving large furniture by yourself can be tough and even risky, so it’s important to be cautious. Besides getting the right equipment and clearing the way, you must always understand the risks of lifting heavy items on your own, and plan strategically how to move each object.
If you’re in doubt, hiring professional movers like Pink Zebra can help. Most offer furniture disassembling and packing services, which means you, your former home, and your furniture will be safe throughout the process. If you’d like to learn more about this, find a location near you and reach out!