How to Move a Sofa

Despite being most homes' most used pieces of furniture, the sofa is also one of the largest, unwieldiest-shaped pieces of furniture to move, and (unless it's just being pushed to another place in the same room) it will need a little planning to move it, even if in the same home.

Whether you have decided against using professionals to help you move it or are simply preparing for the move, the following are some tips to help you avoid problems and hazards.

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

It’s important to plan the route out of the sofa’s current spot, and into it´s new spot, whether that´s moving to a new home or new room.

The more you plan and prepare, the more likely you are to be able to relax and enjoy your couch in good condition in its new home.

Plan your Route

No, we don´t mean the removal van´s route, although that´s also pretty important.

Taking into consideration the weight and dimensions of the sofa, look at the route you´ll take to move it:

• Will you need to go upstairs? Downstairs? <
• Are there obstacles in the way that will need clearing/moving before the move?
• Where might you need to pivot or rotate
• Is the route straightforward or are you better going a longer but easier route? Sofas are usually heavy furniture so the easier you can make it, the more likely it is that the couch or its movers will arrive at the destination in good condition.
• look at any surface that might be slippery or a trip hazard and do whatever you can to make this as safe as possible during the move.

Measure

The sofa came in, so there's every chance it will go out. In theory.

The mantra for sofa moving is 'measure, measure, measure' – the sofa (measure its width, length, height/depth), the doorways, stairwells and passageways at both ends of the move, and ensure that there is space in the vehicle being used to transport the sofa. (Yes, measure – or ask for the measurements of - the van!)

Consider the possibilities of tipping the sofa on its side, breaking it down, or even removing doors to move it.

Taking down a door frame from a doorway is difficult, but doable with the right tools. It will take around  an hour, and will need reassembling once the sofa is moved, so be sure to schedule that time (and skill) into any moving plans.

In summary, make sure there is space at every stage to move the couch through and into the spaces it needs to pass through (and arrive in!). That means depth, width AND even height in many cases.

Make sure there is room to turn the sofa when needed - space to do this is often overlooked. Hallways are often at angles to doors, creating tight corners to navigate. Some of the suggestions here may help make the move easier, but one person will always need help - as much as possible.

Whether moving from the living room or bedroom, the hallway or dining room, every space should be measured for access - at both ends of the move!

Find the Helpers: Choose a Moving Buddy (or Four!)

As noted above, there's a difference between moving a sofa in a room, when it can often be pushed about (slide across the floor), to removing it. Removing it will need more people, depending on the shape and size of the sofa, to lift it.

Sofas are usually heavy lifting and awkwardly shaped. The weight of the sofa is usually too much for one person alone to carry comfortably. How many you actually need will depend on the weight and size of the furniture, but any extra can be used to give others a break or act as scouting parties, walking ahead and making sure obstacles are cleared and shifting any passing people (especially children) or animals out of the way, allowing a smoother move.

Particularly if you are moving property, book helpers plenty of time in advance, and  have an extra pair of hands booked to help in case someone drops out last minute.

Professional movers will know what to do, but if using friends and family , the more they can do to learn how to move safely, specifically to lift correctly to protect backs and knees, the more likely things are to be hassle free.

Furniture Dollies or Furniture Sliders

A furniture dolly can be invaluable for moving bigger pieces of furniture. It's a platform (usually metal, wood or plastic) with wheels, designed specifically for moving heavy items.

They can be hired by the day from many places across the UK.

(A dolly doesn't have handles - it is just a platform with wheels. Trolleys, by contract, are the same thing but with handles. They are also available for rent for removals.)

Using the equipment is easy: lift the sofa onto the dolly and use moving straps to secure it; and then simply roll it to the vehicle.

Consider the practicality/implications of this if the sofa has to go downstairs - remove the dolly and add some pairs of hands.

If the stairwell is too narrow, or an impractical shape like a spiral staircase, consider taking the sofa out another way, like a window, if the sofa can´t be broken down to smaller parts.

The Furniture Slider Alternative

Furniture sliders are also available, but are primarily useful for sliding sofas across flat floors like tiles or hardwood rather than carpet.

The plastic sliders go under the sofa legs, or their normal position. Using furniture sliders makes it easier to push the sofa.

Cleaning ready to move your couch

It seems madness to clean a sofa just at the point of moving, putting it in a dusty van etc. But whilst it may also need cleaning on arrival, particularly if it's not going directly to its new home, a good clean now will allow a good inspection and assessment of whether it's worth moving, any repairs that may be needed, and prevent stains fixing or mould developing.

The basics of this clean are:

• vacuum and clean any upholstery;
• wash and dry, or dry clean, any loose covers;
• polish/wax and wood;
• clean leather with an appropriate cleaner.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions, of course and make sure everything is thoroughly dry before the move. Mould loves damp. It´s the first step to help protect your couch.

Disassemble the Sofa

Sectional sofas seem to have the most impossible shapes, but it's normal to be able to separate the sections from each other, making removal easier

For sofa beds, remove the mattress and pack it separately in a mattress bag.

If cushions come off (are not sewn on) wrap them, and any arm rests, separately for the move. If the move is a quick one, it's possible to use plastic for wrapping, but if the cushions will be any time in wrapping beyond a short move, use a natural fabric to wrap them to avoid mould but keep off dust and dirt. An alternative is a packing box.

If they come off, unscrew the legs. This makes the sofa smaller to move, and less likely to catch on door posts or other furniture/obstacles. Wrap the legs to protect them. Put them, along with any screws or fittings in a separate plastic bag, into a bag or box and mark it well. As far as possible, try and keep this with the sofa during the move.

Use moving blankets secured with packing tape to cover the main body of the sofa, making sure the blankets are clean. Cover it in thick plastic wrap, or a tarpaulin, taped securely in place to avoid catches and rips. If the sofa is broken down, wrapping pieces individually will make it easier to move.

Create extra padding for the armrests, and for any corners, with cardboard, extra furniture blankets or even an old (but clean) quilt.

Protecting Sofa Parts for Moving (and Storing)

A few handy hints include:

• plastic covering will help protect rain and damp if moving in the rain or damp, and from any beverages the movers need. However, it is not recommended for any length of time;
• make sure all detachable parts are covered for protection;
• eep any screws, bolts etc from detached parts in plastic bags, ideally taped to the covering so as not to be parted;
• any pillows or cushions should be taken out last for loading onto the removal van, so that nothing gets put on top of them. They too need wrapping well.

On the move: How to Move a Couch

Make sure the sofa, as a larger piece of furniture, is one of the first pieces to be moved.

As the way has been measured, the moving team should know the route and what's needed to pass the sofa through, be it tipping the sofa vertically, taking off doors etc.

Make sure this exit route is clear of obstacles such as furniture, vases, boxes, toys. Ensure children and animals are safely out of the way. Keep an eye out for hanging ceiling lamps, and remove pictures from walls.

Where possible, try to slide rather than lift the couch. Warn helpers to take breaks whenever needed, to avoid strains and injuries. For the same reason, remind them to lift with legs (squat), using their core, and not bend or lift with their backs. (Yes, we know we´re repeating ourselves, but this is important. Couches are replaceable. Backs aren't.)

Lifting straps may prove helpful.

Loading Onto the Removal Van

If the moving truck or van has no ramp, tip the sofa in by inclining it a few feet at a time and then lifting the remaining part onto the truck.

Avoid moving the sofa whilst placed upright (on its arms), or leaving it that way during the move to avoid damage to its inners. There will be a temptation to put things on top of larger couches. Avoid this to avoid breakages/damage.

Once onboard, ensure it´s properly secured - tie-down straps are ideal - so it doesn't move and get damaged during transportation to its new location.

Self-storage

There are numerous reasons to use self-storage during a move, including storage to cover delays between moving out and moving in or storing anything not immediately necessary.

To store the couch properly, don´t leave it stood on one end - that position should be strictly reserved to help you manoeuvre it when you need to navigate small spaces and tricky obstacles like tight corners.

For storage in the North West of England or  in Wales, Pink Storage https://www.pinkstorage.co.uk/ offers good quality, reasonably priced, clean, secure storage.