Home alone? It’s still possible to move your couch with the right tools.
Moving a couch by yourself requires measuring doorways first, clearing pathways, and using furniture sliders or a dolly to protect your floors and back.
Expect to pay $25 to $50 for moving supplies like furniture sliders, straps, and blankets when transporting your couch without professional help.
You should remove cushions and legs, wrap the couch in moving blankets, and secure everything with heavy-duty plastic wrap before lifting or sliding.
Hiring a local moving company provides reliable help when you need to move a large or bulky couch, especially on stairs or into a truck.
It's not ideal to move furniture alone, but if you need to move your couch in a pinch, there are ways to complete this task on your own. If learning how to move a couch by yourself is on your to-do list, you’ll need preparation suggestions and step-by-step directions. Follow this guide to learn how to move a couch by yourself safely and efficiently.
Use furniture sliders to move a couch or other heavy items within your home to protect your floors from scratches and dents.
Before lifting a finger, measure the dimensions of your couch to ensure it can fit through the doorways of your home. Plus, the exact measurements will help you decide which route to move the couch outside. For example, you might have to move the couch on its side or remove interior doors if it's a tight fit.
Since you’re moving a couch by yourself, you won’t have anyone around to warn you if you’re about to step on a Lego or knock into a table. To avoid any roadblocks, clear a pathway from the couch’s current position to the moving vehicle.
Remove obstacles like decorative plant stands and objects around the doorway, such as a seating bench or coat rack. Avoid accidents by removing kids' toys and pets right before you start the moving process.
You don’t want to move into a new home with a dirty couch, so vacuum and clean the upholstery according to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, you ensure you leave enough time for the fabric or leather to dry, especially if the couch is going to long-term storage. That way, your couch will be fresh and clean when you set it up in your new home.
Now that the couch is clean, it’s time to break it down into pieces. If possible, remove the cushions, unscrew the legs, and separate the sections. Don’t try to remove parts that don’t naturally separate, like sewn-on back cushions.
Wrap the couch legs in bubble wrap to avoid scratches during transport. Then, place small pieces like furniture clips in plastic bags, and don’t forget where you’ve stashed them during the move.
Next, use heavy-duty plastic wrap to wrap your couch cushions individually. In a pinch, plastic trash bags work for a non-storage, temporary move.
To secure the couch for moving, cover it with a moving blanket or two and secure them with packing tape. Then, cover the entire couch in plastic wrap, taping it tightly so that it doesn’t rip during the move.
Furniture sliders or a dolly are your back’s best friend when moving, plus they protect your floors. These moving tools are best suited for sliding a couch across hardwood floors.
Place the plastic sliders under each couch leg (or space where there was once a leg), and position your furniture to head to the exit.
If your door is on the same level as the ground, you can push your couch out to the moving truck.
Another option is to use a furniture dolly. Carefully lift (with your knees, not your back) a portion of your couch onto the dolly, ensuring the wheels are locked.
Then, carefully shimmy the rest of the couch onto it once it's stable. You may need to load the couch on its side, depending on the couch’s size.
You should secure the couch on the dolly using moving straps before rolling it out to the moving truck.
If you’re moving a couch yourself, you should ensure that your moving truck has a portable ramp. This addition will make loading your couch into the moving truck easier and safer.
If your moving vehicle has a ramp, roll it up to the inside of the truck before removing the moving straps and carefully unloading the couch. If you don’t have a ramp and the truck bumper isn’t too high, incline the couch base onto the truck bed two feet at a time. Then, lift the remaining portion onto the truck.
Follow these tips for moving a couch by yourself:
Where possible, always try to slide the couch rather than lift it.
Place furniture sliders or gliders under the legs of the couch to make it easier to move and prevent damage to your floors.
Wrap the couch in moving blankets or plastic wrap to protect it from scratches and damage during the move.
Remove any cushions, pillows, or removable parts from the couch to make it lighter and more manageable.
Take breaks when needed to avoid overexerting yourself.
If you need to lift the couch, consider using moving straps to secure the couch to your body, distributing the weight evenly and reducing strain. If you are moving the couch into a vehicle, make sure to secure it properly to prevent shifting or damage during transportation. If you’re not confident that you can safely move the couch on your own, always ask for help or hire professional movers near you.
Moving some couch styles alone is manageable, especially if it’s a small couch, like a love seat. The benefit of moving a couch yourself is saving money on labor costs. However, you risk injuring yourself if you attempt to move a large couch on your own without the right equipment. On the other hand, hiring pro movers costs about $25 to $50 per mover per hour, so it’s worth considering if you need to move a large or bulky couch.
Showed up on time and cleaned carpets well, but didn?t move furniture.
Voda Cleaning & Restoration of ColumbusA reliable team for moves across state. My switch to a new place needed careful lifting through tight hallways. The movers checked the doorway first, then carried heavier pieces with slow, controlled movements. Their patience helped prevent damage, and I?d choose them again.
**Would rate a 0 if i could** NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!!!!! They shattered my tv console and dresser, lost a mirror, and never finished the move. The broken furniture cost me over $600 to replace. They left me with 6+ hours of personal labor moving my 1BR apartment, when I was quoted a FULL...
All My Sons Moving & StorageI could not have moved without the help of Jen Stover! I was in my house for nearly 20 years, so the thought of clearing it out while working full time was overwhelming. Jen takes great joy in sorting and organizing while asking the hard questions with patience and compassion. Jen is...
Go and Stow Home OrganizingExcellent experience for me! They helped me a lot with my move. very reasonable price. Good communication with the office manager is excellent.
Goodview Moving and StorageI was concerned about my possessions safety throughout the move but Bridge View Van Lines took all necessary security measures to make sure everything arrived in mint shape I am really appreciative of their effort and commitment They made my long distance move seem simple
Bridgeview Van LinesThis moving company is the best in Columbus, Ohio! They rescued me when my movers didnâ t show up. Do not ever use Plane Movers! They never showed up for my move, claiming that I never signed the contract. They didnâ t call me to follow up, communication was awful. The people that work for...
All My Sons Moving & StorageOzie and Tyquese were great and worked fast. It was a good move
All My Sons Moving & StorageJust moved from PA to Columbus in a studio apartment and needed help with some heavy furnitures because I couldn't do it alone. I called Hyremovers and they did a great and timely job and also left my apartment walls intact. Great service!
I will forever recommend Moving Head Services. The guys that came out for us were incredibly professional, they finished faster than expected, and were very pleasant.
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