How to Move a Sofa 🛋️

How to Move a Sofa

Moving a sofa can be deceptively tricky.

While it’s not as fragile as a piano or as bulky as a treadmill, its size, weight, and awkward shape make it a challenge to get through tight doorways, hallways, or staircases.

At Packhorse Moving, we know that moving a sofa requires the perfect blend of muscle and precision.

Here’s how you can ensure a smooth and damage-free sofa move.

---

Know Your Sofa

Before you even start thinking about lifting, it’s important to understand the size and weight of your sofa.

Sofas come in all shapes and sizes — sectionals, sleeper sofas, loveseats — and each presents its own set of challenges.

For example, sleeper sofas are significantly heavier due to their metal bed frames, while sectionals may need to be disassembled before moving.

---

Prepare the Sofa for Moving

Just like with any heavy item, preparation is essential before you start the actual move:

• Remove cushions and pillows: Taking off all removable parts makes the sofa lighter and less cumbersome to move.

  
  

• Disassemble if possible: If your sofa has removable legs or sections, disassemble them. This will make the sofa easier to maneuver through narrow spaces.

  
  

• Wrap it up: Cover your sofa in moving blankets or plastic wrap to protect it from scratches, dirt, or damage. Pay extra attention to corners and armrests, as they are most likely to get scuffed or torn during the move.

---

Map Out Your Route

Plan your path before you start moving the sofa.

Measure doorways, hallways, and staircases to make sure your sofa will fit.

If the space is tight, you may need to tilt or angle the sofa to get it through without damaging walls or door frames.

For especially narrow spaces, removing doors or temporarily taking off the hinges can provide extra clearance.

---

Lifting and Moving with Precision

When it’s time to lift, make sure you’ve got enough hands on deck.

Most sofas require at least two people, but larger or heavier models may need more.

It's crucial to use proper lifting techniques to avoid injury:

• Lift with your legs, not your back: This classic rule is especially important when handling bulky items like a sofa. Use moving straps if available to help distribute the weight more evenly.

• Tilt and angle: Many times, you won’t be able to move a sofa through a space by simply carrying it upright. Tilting the sofa vertically or angling it as you move it can help squeeze through tight spots.

---

Navigating Stairs

Moving a sofa up or down stairs is one of the most challenging parts of the process.

For large sofas, it’s best to have one person on each end and one or two people guiding from the sides to ensure the sofa doesn’t tip or hit walls.

Move slowly and communicate with your team to ensure everyone is coordinated.

---

Loading into the Truck

Once you’ve successfully navigated your home, the next step is getting the sofa into the moving truck.

Load the sofa upright against a wall or flat on the truck bed, depending on how much space you have.

Secure it tightly with moving straps to prevent it from shifting during transit.

---

Reassembly

When the sofa arrives at its new home, reassemble any parts you took off and give it a quick inspection for any damage.

Replace cushions and pillows, and you're good to go!

---

Moving a sofa requires more than just strength — it demands careful planning, precision, and teamwork.

At Packhorse Moving, we specialize in moving large, awkward items like sofas, ensuring that they get from Point A to Point B without damage.

Let us handle the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to.

Stay tuned for the next part of our "How to Move..." series!