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10 Tips for Moving Large Items

Wondering how to move large items into your new apartment or home safely? Whether you’re moving heavy objects like furniture, a refrigerator, or exercise equipment, large items need to be handled with extra care and require additional safety measures. Check out our tips for moving large items below!

 

Gather Moving Supplies

When moving heavy items or other large objects, it’s important to collect the proper moving supplies first. This will not only ensure you have the tools you need to transport your items, but also help protect your items, your space, and your body. Certain types of moving equipment are especially convenient for moving large items, as they can help reduce the physical strain on your body. Here’s a list of supplies that can help you move large objects:

  • Dollies or stair rollers
  • Lifting straps
  • Furniture sliders
  • Moving blankets
  • Plastic furniture wrap
  • Bubble wrap
  • Measuring tape
  • Rope

Ask Family & Friends to Help

To help with both safety and efficiency, ask for assistance from family and friends when moving large items rather than attempting to move them by yourself. This is especially important if you plan to move tall, heavy items or have any stairs to navigate. When moving large items up and down stairs or transporting tall items, it’s best to carry them in a high-low direction—where one person manages the top and the other carries it on the bottom—for more stability. With two people, you can also more easily use the “L” method, turning chairs or sofas sideways to hook them around tight doorways or corners.

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Prepare Your Path

Preparation is one of the most important parts of a stress-free move, especially when dealing with oversized objects. Plan out your moving route in advance, keeping turns and stairs at a minimum. Remove obstacles like rugs or cords from the moving path to eliminate tripping hazards and allow for safe, smooth movement. Take steps to protect your floors and create a path by laying down moving blankets, plastic, or cardboard. By taking these precautions, you can help avoid accidents that could damage your items or endanger someone.

Measure Items & Doorways

Before you pick up any items to move, be sure to measure them and any doorways they will need to pass through. This will give you time to troubleshoot issues before starting, saving you time, energy, and potential frustration later on. Remember to measure both the height and width of your furniture, as well as the dimensions of any doorways, staircases, and hallways in your moving path. Then, figure out the best way to carry your items so they’ll fit through without any hiccups.

Disassemble Items If Possible

If you’re moving heavy furniture or other items that come in parts, disassembling them before the move can make transportation more manageable. Removing legs and cushions on couches or separating drawers from dressers can make the items easier to transport, helping to protect your furniture from damage. Plus, breaking items down into smaller components will allow you to more easily navigate narrow doorways, hallways, and staircases.

Protect Your Items

Take time to wrap furniture and appliances in moving blankets, plastic wrap, and bubble wrap for extra protection during moving. These materials can provide a barrier to help absorb impact and prevent scratches, dents, and other damage that can occur during transportation. Wrapping items also keeps them clean and free from dust, dirt, and other debris that can accumulate while moving.

Use Sliders & Lifting Straps

Looking for an easy way to move furniture and other large, heavy items? Don’t forget to use tools like furniture sliders and lifting straps! Instead of trying to lift every item and straining your back, use furniture sliders to simply push heavy objects across the floor. Sliders make the move easier on you while also protecting your floors from scratches, dents, and other damage. Similarly, lifting straps help distribute the weight of large items more evenly across your body, allowing you to lift and carry large pieces with reduced effort and risk of injury.

Lift with Your Legs

Learning how to lift heavy objects with proper form can help you more easily and safely transport large items. Bend your knees, keep your back straight, engage your core, and lift with your legs—not your back—to avoid injury. By using your legs to lift, you distribute the weight more evenly and reduce the strain on your back. This form also allows for more stability, giving you more control over the heavy object you’re moving.

Carefully Pack the Truck

Packing your moving truck efficiently is crucial to ensuring your items arrive at your destination safely. Many trucks come with a ramp, which makes it easier to load and unload large items—especially if you’re using a dolly. Haul in the heaviest items first—such as a washer and dryer set, treadmill, or piano—and place them against the wall of the truck to prevent shifting during transit. As you fill the rest of the truck, avoid leaving any large gaps, as this can cause items to shift and damage each other. Before taking off, use straps, ropes, or other tie-downs to secure large items and prevent them from tipping.

Consider Hiring Professional Movers

Though you can move large items without them, if you’re moving a significant amount of heavy items or have physical limitations, you should consider hiring movers. Movers can be especially helpful if you’re navigating a complex space with multiple floors or narrow hallways and doorways. Professional movers are also trained to lift and carry heavy objects safely, and they can load and unload moving trucks quickly and efficiently, reducing the time and effort you have to spend on the move. However, hiring movers can be pricey—so make the choice that’s best for both your budget and health.

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