Do you ever look at a piece of furniture, such as a large piano, and wonder how someone lifted it and moved it into the room? Having a concrete strategy is crucial when it comes to moving heavy items.
Whether moving furniture for the first time or the fifth time, it’s important to know that moving heavy items requires brains, brawn, and a plan.
It’s tempting to go over to the couch, bend down, and show off the results from your time at the gym. Unfortunately, this impulsive moving behavior can lead to serious injury.
If you’re tasked with moving heavy items, then you’ll want to consider these strategies for an efficient and safe experience.
Useful Tips When Moving Heavy Items
Whether you’re just two people or a group of friends moving into a new home, these strategies for moving heavy items will keep you safe and may even speed up your move.
Think Before You Lift
Before you even try to lift a heavy piece of furniture, truly examine it and consider the best way to move it. Create a strategy of where you will place your hands, at which angle you’ll carry it, and how you’ll get it through the door.
Picturing yourself moving the heavy item before actually doing it will make your move faster and more successful.
Eliminate Weight
If pieces of the furniture are removable, then it’s a great idea to eliminate some of the weight. This includes drawers in dressers and nightstands, cushions on couches, the backs of recliners, and legs on a table.
The less weight you have the carry, the more manageable your move will be. Plus, you won’t have to exert yourself as much, leaving you feeling more energized after the move.
Consider Pushing or Pulling
Sometimes, the best way to move heavy items isn’t to lift them, but to push or pull them in and out of the room.
While pushing and pulling still require muscle and energy, it is a safer option than lifting something that is too heavy.
If you decide to use this method, try to add something smooth under the item, such as a blanket or furniture sliders, to protect your floor and the item while also making it easier to push or pull.
Lift with Your Legs
It’s the oldest tip in the book when lifting heavy items, but it’s essential. Always lift with your legs, never with your back.
When you use the strong muscles in your legs, you protect yourself from pulling a muscle in your back. If you’ve ever had debilitating back pain, you know that it isn’t for the weak of heart and can put you out of commission for days.
Install a Ramp
If you’re moving heavy items up or down stairs, you may want to consider installing a ramp. Stairs can be the most difficult and dangerous part of moving furniture, and installing a reliable ramp will be a total game-changer.
Always be sure that the ramp is installed correctly, sturdy, and doesn’t have too steep of an incline.
Rely on Professional Movers
Hiring professional movers is the easiest and best way to ensure a smooth and stress-free move.
They have the tools and strategy to effectively and safely move heavy items, such as pianos, couches, tables, armoires, and bookshelves. Don’t put yourself in a dangerous position when you have a new home to look forward to living in.
Make the smart choice and let the professionals do the heavy lifting.
Mike Hammer Moving: Moving Heavy Items in the Kansas City Area for 30+ Years
Reading about the best strategies for moving heavy items may seem easy and simple until it comes to the physical labor of moving.
That’s where Mike Hammer Moving can lend a helping hand.
For more than thirty years, we’ve been helping families and companies move in and out of spaces throughout Kansas City. With the right equipment and strategies, our professional and licensed movers can easily move heavy items.
Are you ready to experience a smoother move?
Contact us today to get a free quote for your move.
FAQ’S ABOUT MOVING HEAVY ITEMS
What’s the safest way to move a heavy item down stairs?
Use a ramp or stair-climbing dolly whenever possible, and always have a second person spotting from below. Never carry a heavy item down stairs without a clear sightline to your footing. For specialty items like pianos, professional equipment makes a meaningful safety difference — see our piano moving service page for what that looks like.
When should I hire help instead of moving heavy items myself?
If an item requires more than two people to lift safely, involves stairs, or is a specialty piece like a piano, safe, or gun cabinet, professional movers are worth the cost. Our labor-only movers option is a flexible way to get trained hands for just the heavy lifting.
