Our tips for moving heavy furniture safely

To move heavy furniture safely:

• Empty the furniture, take it apart whenever possible or tie up any moving parts

• Ask friends and family for help

• Wear suitable clothing

• Adopt good handling techniques and postures

• Use furniture glides, straps, trolleys or dollies.

Preparing for a move is never easy.

You have to consider quotes, contact various authorities, transfer your contracts, and many more things to think about (fortunately, our special moving checklist is here to help).

Packing and boxing your belongings is probably the most time-consuming and delicate part of moving.

And after you’ve wrapped your crockery and packed your books, the toughest task is left to come: moving heavy objects and furniture.

But don’t worry! From pianos and freezers to wardrobes and washing machines, there are some tricks and tools you can use to protect your belongings and your back.

Let’s find out how to move even the bulkiest pieces of furniture with ease.

This famous quote is particularly relevant when you want to move a heavy object.

A lack of preparation can make the whole thing trickier and more dangerous.

Before moving, you need to prepare your furniture to make it lighter and easier to handle:

• Completely empty it of its contents

• Remove as many drawers, legs and doors as possible

• Tie or tape down any moving parts that could open, be ripped off or injure someone during transport

The same applies to furniture that will be moved to a self-storage facility. Renting a storage unit is a great option when you have bulky items that you don’t want to part with.

Moving a heavy object is not without risks.

If you have decided to move without professional help, we highly recommend that you ask at least two people for help.

Indeed, two people can lift the furniture, while the third guides you up and down stairs, open doors and make sure the walls aren’t scratched.

Make sure you wear clothes that you’re not afraid of damaging, and don’t forget to buy non-slip gloves to:

• Protect your hands

• Give you extra grip

No one wants to damage their family china cabinet.

That’s why you need to protect it with a blanket before transport.

But be careful! Never cover a piece of furniture until it’s in the back of the moving truck, as it could slip out of your hands. The only exception to this rule relates to bedding, but that’s a special case.

So remember, always move your furniture uncovered!

Take care not to strain your back unnecessarily, and bend your knees if you have to get down: your leg muscles are a lot more powerful than your back muscles!

Finally, carry the piece of furniture as close to your body as possible, so that the weight is distributed evenly, rather than just your biceps.

In addition to the tips listed above, there are tools available to make handling bulky objects safer and easier.

Furniture glides are made out of Teflon, usually self-adhesive, and can be placed under the corners or legs of heavy furniture to make it easier to move.

Lift the furniture using a lifter, for instance, place the soft edge of the glides on the floor and then push the furniture down to prevent it from tipping over.

These inexpensive little things can usually be found in furniture shops, hardware stores or online.

Moving straps are an ingenious solution that enables two people to lift heavy furniture with little effort.

Simply lay two straps across on the floor and place the furniture’s centre of gravity in the middle.

Then attach the straps to your wrists or shoulders and lift.

Just like glides, moving straps can easily be purchased online.

Simple yet incredibly effective, the dolly consists of a plate mounted on four wheels on which the furniture can be placed. All that’s left to do is push!

Dollies are often available for hire from professional dealers and moving companies.

A classic in the moving business, this tool is ideal for getting from the front door to the truck.

If you’re not familiar with the hand trolley, it’s a manual lifting system equipped with two or more wheels, handles and a platform that makes it easy to carry furniture at an angle.

It is especially suitable for moving washing machines and refrigerators.

Just like with dollies, you’ll find trolleys for hire at very affordable prices from professional dealers.

One of the best investments you can make when moving house!