Moving can seem straightforward until it’s time to deal with the heavy items. While having a friend or two around makes things easier, that might not always be possible. If you didn’t hire movers and your friends are unavailable you’ll have to figure out how to manage everything on your own—including the couch.
Although moving a couch by yourself can seem challenging, it’s certainly possible. Instead of leaving it behind take a deep breath, gather your strength and get ready to tackle the task. Here’s a simple guide to help you move a couch on your own without too much hassle.
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
Equipment You’ll Need to Move a Couch by Yourself
Got two arms? You’re almost ready! Here’s the rest of what you’ll need to move your couch from one place to another:
- Plastic wrap
- Moving blankets
- Large furniture sliders or a flat furniture dolly (if you live in a managed building, you might be able to borrow a dolly or you can rent one from a hardware store)
- Furniture straps
If you’re not confident about moving the couch on your own, even with this equipment, consider getting some extra help. You can use websites like Taskrabbit or Thumbtack to find someone for one-time furniture moves.
Break It Down Into All Its Parts
The first thing you should do is prepare the couch for moving by taking it apart as much as possible. Start by removing the cushions and legs. If it’s a sectional, separate the sections. However, don’t try to force anything that isn’t meant to come off. For example, if the legs are fixed and can’t be unscrewed, leave them on to avoid damaging the couch. If you take out any screws, nails or small parts put them in a small bag and remember where you store them.
Wrap It Up
After taking your couch apart, it’s time to prepare each piece for the move. Wrap cushions and pillows in plastic wrap or place them in a large garbage bag. If you removed the legs, either wrap them separately or put them in the same bag with the cushions to keep things organized.
For the couch base, you have two options: If you’re concerned about damage, wrap it in plastic first then cover it with a moving blanket. Or, you can skip the plastic and just use the blanket—whatever works best for you. To protect armrests or sharp corners consider covering them with cardboard and securing it with packing tape or extra plastic wrap.
Get to Sliding
- If you’re using sliders: Furniture sliders are a great tool for moving heavy furniture. Not only do they protect your floors but they also make it much easier to slide your couch from one room to another with less effort.
Depending on the size of your couch and your own strength it might be easier to tip the couch vertically and place the sliders under one end. This can help you balance the weight but only do this if you’re sure you can keep the couch steady while it’s upright.
- If you’re using a flat furniture dolly: A flat furniture dolly is built for moving large furniture. Don’t try to use other types of dollies (like those for moving appliances or luggage) because they’re not designed for this. If you don’t have a flat furniture dolly, a hand truck (also known as a utility dolly) can work as well.
To move the couch with a dolly, tip it onto its end and carefully move it onto the platform. Use furniture straps to secure it in place then push and let the dolly’s wheels handle the heavy lifting.
Getting Your Couch Into the Truck
Once your couch is outside, the final challenge is loading it into the moving truck. If you rented a truck, it likely came with a ramp that you can use to wheel the couch up with either sliders or a dolly. When you reserve the truck be sure to ask for a ramp and double-check that it’s included when you pick up the truck on moving day.
If you don’t have a ramp, you’ll need to get a bit creative. Push the couch up to the truck bed and if it’s not already standing upright, position it on its side. Carefully lift from the bottom and tilt the couch onto the truck. If it’s too heavy don’t try to lift it alone—ask for some help instead.
General Heavy Lifting Tips
Whenever you’re lifting something heavy it’s important to take precautions to avoid injury. Here are a few tips:
- Know your limits: Don’t overdo it! If something feels too heavy, switch to another plan. It’s not worth risking injury just to move an item.
- Squat, don’t bend: When lifting, bend your knees into a squat rather than bending over at your waist. This helps protect your back.
- Use your legs & core: Your legs and abs should do the work when lifting, not your back. If you feel strain on your back put the item down, adjust your position or get some help.
What If You Have Stairs?
If you need to move a couch up or down stairs it’s best to get help. It’s too risky to do it alone and sliders or dollies won’t work on stairs. Your safest option is to hire someone just for that part—it’s much cheaper than hiring full movers and gives you the extra help you need.
No couch is worth risking injury. Be honest about what you can handle. If the task is too much, don’t hesitate to bring in professionals to help.
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FAQs
How to move a couch upstairs by yourself?
Moving a couch upstairs by yourself is risky and not recommended. It’s best to have someone assist you, as handling the weight and size alone can be dangerous. If you must, try to use furniture straps to secure the couch and lift with your legs not your back. However, hiring help for just this task is the safest option.
How to move a heavy couch by yourself?
To move a heavy couch by yourself, follow these steps:
- Break down the couch as much as possible by removing cushions, legs and any detachable sections.
- Use furniture sliders or a dolly to reduce strain when moving it across the floor.
- Wrap the couch in blankets or plastic to protect it from damage.
- If possible, tilt the couch upright to manage its weight better while sliding or rolling it.
How to move a couch through a door by yourself?
To move a couch through a door, first, measure both the couch and the door frame to ensure it will fit. Remove any legs or cushions to make the couch smaller. Tilt the couch at an angle and try to fit the longer side through the door first. If needed, rotate it carefully to find the best position for it to pass through.
How to easily move a couch downstairs by yourself?
Moving a couch downstairs by yourself is tricky and should be done with care. Use furniture straps for better grip and control. If possible, tilt the couch upright to manage its weight more easily. Slowly and carefully guide it down the stairs, keeping the weight focused on your legs and core. If it feels too difficult it’s safer to get help rather than risk injury.
