How to move a sofa

Measure more than the doorway

Measure the sofa with and without removable feet, then check door openings, hall turns, stair landings and elevator clearances. Allow space for your hands and protective padding. Sketch the narrowest turn. Do not assume a sofa that entered through a balcony can leave through the front door.

Prepare the room and the sofa

Remove loose cushions and bag them separately. Empty storage compartments. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for detachable legs, recliner sections or modular connectors; photograph their positions and put labeled hardware in a sealed bag. Disconnect powered furniture before work. Never cut a frame or force a mechanism.

Protect the surfaces

Use clean, dry furniture pads over the frame and vulnerable corners. Secure padding around itself with moving stretch film or suitable straps. Keep tape off upholstery and finished wood. Do not tightly seal damp fabric in plastic; trapped moisture can damage it.

Move as a coordinated team

Choose enough capable helpers for the actual weight and route. Agree on a leader and stop signal. Lift from sound structural points, not arms, cushions or mechanisms. Keep fingers away from pinch points. Use a rated furniture dolly only on a suitable clear, level route; a standard dolly is not a stair solution.

Load and settle it carefully

Keep the padded sofa stable in the vehicle and secure it to appropriate anchor points without crushing the frame. Do not pile heavy boxes onto cushions. At the destination, reverse the disassembly steps and check that feet and connectors are secure before use.

Get the supplies. Get the right help.

Choose boxes, paper, mattress bags, pads and stretch film in our Southeast Elite Moving Store. Request supplies with your moving crew, a separate team delivery, or parcel shipping. The team confirms availability, delivery and your final total before payment.

Need help with lifting or packing? Explore packing services or tell us about your move. Follow manufacturer instructions for your specific furniture and equipment; arrange specialist help when the route, weight or construction makes the task unsafe.