Moving house
Top tips for moving large furniture safely without damaging walls or doorframes.
Carefully plan, measure openings, protect surfaces, and coordinate teamwork to prevent scrapes, bumps, and injuries while relocating bulky items through tight spaces or stairwells.
Published by
Daniel Cooper
July 30, 2025 - 3 min Read
When you start planning a move that involves large furniture, the first step is to measure every doorway, hallway, and stairwell path the piece must traverse. Create a simple map that shows the route from origin to destination, noting any tight corners or low ceilings. A tape measure, pencil, and a simple sketch help you visualize potential bottlenecks before the actual move. Consider alternative routes or disassembly options if doors are too narrow. Don’t rush; take your time to verify clearances. This upfront preparation reduces the risk of last-minute scrapes or damage to walls, doorframes, or the furniture itself.
Before any lifting begins, assemble a capable crew and assign clear roles. Two people are often enough for smaller items, but larger pieces demand more hands and a designated spotter. The spotter’s job is to guide the movers, monitor obstacles, and shout reminders about height limits and corner turns. Use sturdy, non-slip gloves and footwear with good grip to improve control and minimize injury. Clear the route of pets and bystanders to avoid distractions. Consider using moving straps or a wheeled dolly to distribute weight evenly and maintain balance as you maneuver through doorways and down stairs.
Disassemble strategically, pad surfaces, and communicate clearly.
Start by removing accessories, legs, and hardware that can snag on walls or doorway frames. Place soft pads or blankets over the furniture surfaces to cushion potential contact with walls during tight turns. If possible, slide pieces rather than lift them to reduce leverage demands and protect floor surfaces. When lugs, legs, or protruding parts must pass through narrow gaps, take a moment to rotate the item so its widest side moves first. This technique minimizes scrapes and preserves paint or finish on both the furniture and the architectural elements. Always keep a close watch on timing to avoid impatient, jerky movements.
Protect walls, railings, and doors with padding that won’t slip or leave residue. Secure blankets with painter’s tape at inconspicuous points to avoid creating tripping hazards. If you encounter a stubborn corner, use a wedge or wooden shim to adjust the angle rather than forcing the piece through. Communicate continuously with teammates to coordinate each step, especially on stairs where balance is precarious. Slow, measured movements are safer than rapid shifts. After you clear the threshold, re-check alignment and adjust the route as needed to prevent future friction or unexpected contact with the frame.
Equipment choices and careful handling reduce risk and damage.
When possible, disassemble large items into lighter modules to simplify handling. Take photos of assembly before you start, so you can re-create the exact configuration later. Keep all screws and hardware organized in labeled bags or containers, and tape them to the corresponding parts to prevent loss. Refrain from underestimating the influence of weight distribution; even heavy pieces can be rotated with planning and careful leverage. As you break items down, label each component with a quick reference to its origin. This practice streamlines reassembly and reduces the need for extra tools in constrained spaces during the move.
Use the right equipment for the job—dollies, moving straps, and lifting aids save backs and shoulders. AFurniture dolly with wide tires handles uneven thresholds better, while a hinged tilt cart makes it easier to manage low door frames. Straps distribute weight across your strongest muscle groups and offer controlled lifting options. For tight corners, consider pivoting the load rather than forcing it straight through. If a piece is exceptionally heavy, recruit a helper for the final lift rather than attempting a solo maneuver that could lead to injury. After every transfer, inspect the surrounding area for ruts, nails, or loose floorboards.
Pad, pace, and coordinate to minimize friction and damage.
When you must negotiate through a narrow doorway, angle the item so its widest dimension faces the opening. If you encounter a choked hallway, remove any obstructions temporarily and widen the corridor by shifting furniture pieces in a deliberate sequence. Practice the move with lighter substitutes first to build confidence and reveal any hidden obstacles. Personal safety should guide every decision; never lift with your back bent or bent knees, and keep your spine neutral during lifts. Hydrate your crew and take short breaks to maintain focus. A calm, practiced team moves more predictably than a hurried, improvised one.
Preserve floor finishes and avoid creating new scuffs by using soft, non-marring sliders under the furniture legs. If you don’t have sliders, place thick folded towels or foam pads under contact points to reduce friction. When transitioning from room to room, cover thresholds with extra padding to minimize abrupt changes in slope. Clear verbal cues help maintain rhythm and alignment, especially when multiple people are guiding different sides of a long sofa or armoire. Document any tricky sections and tackle them step by step to build a repeatable process for future moves.
Reflect on the process, learn, and prepare for future moves.
Staircases present the highest risk for accidents, so approach them with an extra layer of caution. Carry heavy items upright where possible and keep the load close to your body to maintain balance. People at each step should place hands on the load or use handles to distribute weight evenly. Use the third person as a guide to announce each step and ensure no one misses a critical turn. Check for loose carpeting, loose railings, or sticky treads that could compromise traction. If any issue arises, stop immediately and reassess the best path or alternative route.
Finally, protect your walls during the finish phase by adding corner guards along every angle you expect to contact. Recheck door frames after the move to ensure no new scuffs or small dents have occurred. If damage does appear, address it quickly with matching touch-up paint or removable wall covers in the moment. Consider documenting the process with photos before and after to help verify that you followed the agreed route and precautions. Post-move, inspect both the furniture and the traversed spaces for any hidden issues that could worsen over time.
After the furniture is in place, take a moment to evaluate how the route performed. Note where friction occurred, where padding helped, and which moves required extra hands. Use this information to refine your game plan for future relocations. Consider small improvements like better door spacers, additional padding, or an extra set of hands for particularly risky items. A proactive approach reduces anxiety for subsequent moves and helps you protect both your possessions and your home. Share insights with others who may be planning similar tasks, so the knowledge contributes to safer practices in the community.
Finally, celebrate a successful move with a calm, organized unloading sequence. Reassemble items in their destined spaces, verifying that each piece fits as intended. Return tools to their storage locations and store spare padding for next time. If you encountered any imperfections or new scuffs, repair them promptly to preserve the home’s finish and character. Maintaining a careful, methodical mindset during every stage not only protects walls and doorframes but also reinforces safe habits for future projects, large or small. This disciplined approach elevates confidence and reduces fear surrounding complex relocations.
