Tips for Handling Large Items When Moving

Moving large items can be one of the trickiest parts of relocating. With a few smart strategies and the right approach, even the most daunting pieces—whether it’s a hefty sofa, an oversized armoire, or a delicate mirror—can make it to your new home safely. In this guide, the best movers Boise area has will walk you through simple yet effective tips for handling large items when moving, showing you how to pack, lift, and transport them without damage or stress. Think of our checklist as your ultimate game plan for handling the biggest pieces on your moving list.

1. Assess and Plan Before the Move

Preparation is key to a successful move, especially when handling large items. Before you begin moving, conduct an assessment of what you need to transport and plan accordingly:

• Take Measurements: Start by measuring the dimensions of each large item and all entryways in both your current and new spaces. Take note of doors, hallways, staircases, and elevators. Knowing these measurements helps avoid surprises and ensures each item will fit.
• Evaluate the Weight and Fragility: Make a list of large items and consider their weight and fragility. Items like sofas, pianos, and glass tables need different levels of attention. Listing your items also helps you plan the type and amount of equipment needed.
• Plan Your Route: Plan how you’ll move each item from its current location to the moving vehicle or use expert moving services Boise ID offers. Identify the most straightforward path and clear any obstacles along the way. If items are too large to move through narrow spaces, consider alternative approaches, like using windows or balconies.
• Consider Disassembly: Some large items can be disassembled, making them easier to move. For example, bed frames, large tables, and sectionals often come apart. Disassemble these items, and keep screws and small parts in labeled bags. Take photos as you disassemble items to make reassembly easier later.

Skipping the assessment and planning stage can lead to unexpected issues that could damage both your belongings and your property. Proper planning helps you avoid these surprises, saving you from potentially costly repairs, delays, and additional stress. Taking a few extra minutes to measure and map your route can prevent these headaches.

2. Gather Necessary Equipment

Having the right tools can make moving large items easier and safer. Before moving day, gather these essential tools and supplies:

• Dollies and Hand Trucks: Use a hand truck or dolly for heavy boxes and flat-bottomed items. Furniture dollies are low platforms on wheels and work well for items like washing machines and refrigerators. Strapped dollies are another option that provides stability for taller items.
• Furniture Sliders: Place sliders under heavy furniture legs to move items smoothly across floors without causing scratches. These sliders reduce friction and make it easier to maneuver large items, especially on carpeted surfaces.
• Moving Straps or Harnesses: Moving straps allow you and a partner to lift heavy items while reducing the strain on your back. These straps distribute weight evenly, making it easier to lift and navigate.
• Protective Gear: To avoid injuries, wear work gloves for a secure grip and protection from sharp edges. Sturdy, non-slip shoes also provide better stability and prevent slips.
• Padding Materials: Use bubble wrap, blankets, or moving pads to cover delicate surfaces and prevent scratches. For fragile or high-value items, consider additional padding, such as foam or specialized packing materials.

Attempting to move large items without the right equipment can lead to injuries and damaged furniture. Without dollies, sliders, or straps, you might find yourself struggling to lift heavy pieces or accidentally dropping them, resulting in broken items or even hurt backs. Having the right tools minimizes physical strain, gives you more control, and reduces the chances of damage to both your belongings and your home.

3. Securely Pack Large Items for Moving

Packing large items well prevents damage during the move. Here’s how to pack common large items effectively:

• Wrap Large Furniture: Use moving blankets, bubble wrap, or furniture pads to wrap large pieces like tables, sofas, and cabinets. This protects items from scratches and keeps fragile parts safe. Secure these coverings with tape or plastic wrap to keep them in place.
• Protect Glass and Mirrors: For glass surfaces or mirrors, apply a layer of packing tape in an “X” pattern to reduce vibrations and keep broken pieces intact in case of breakage. Cover the entire item with bubble wrap and place it in a custom-sized box if possible.
• Appliance Preparation: Empty appliances like refrigerators and washing machines and give them time to dry out. Secure all doors and detachable parts, like trays or shelves, with tape. For washing machines, insert a shipping bolt to keep the drum from moving.
• Remove Loose Parts: Remove drawers, shelves, and any loose parts from furniture and appliances. If you can’t remove certain parts, secure them with stretch wrap to prevent movement.
• Use Heavy-Duty Boxes or Crates: For items that can fit in boxes, choose heavy-duty, reinforced boxes. Place padding at the bottom, sides, and top to absorb any impact. If moving extremely heavy or valuable items, consider wooden crates for extra protection.

Improper packing puts your large items at high risk for scratches, dents, or even breakage during transit. For example, a glass tabletop without padding or an unwrapped wooden dresser could arrive at your new home with irreparable damage. Taking the time to wrap and secure large pieces with padding in Boise moving boxes protects your investment and ensures your furniture arrives in the same condition it was left in.

4. Use Safe Lifting Techniques

Proper lifting methods help you avoid injuries and make handling large items when moving less strenuous. Follow these lifting techniques:

• Lift with Your Legs, Not Your Back: Bend your knees and keep your back straight. Use the strength in your legs to lift, which reduces the risk of back injuries.
• Hold Items Close to Your Body: When carrying heavy items, keep them as close to your torso as possible. Holding items close to your body improves balance and control, reducing the risk of dropping or damaging items.
• Avoid Twisting: Never twist your torso while carrying a heavy item. Instead, use your feet to turn your entire body. Twisting under the weight can strain muscles and lead to injuries.
• Communicate with Your Lifting Partner: If moving with a partner, establish signals for “up,” “down,” “stop,” and any directional changes. Coordinating with your partner prevents sudden movements and keeps both of you in sync.
• Use Your Dominant Side First: When carrying weight unevenly, position your dominant hand and side to bear the brunt of the weight. This helps maintain balance and control, especially when navigating tight spaces.

Incorrect lifting techniques are a top cause of moving-related injuries, particularly back strain and muscle tears. When you lift a heavy item improperly, you risk not only hurting yourself but also dropping and damaging what you’re carrying. Using proper lifting methods protects your body, and prevents accidents. Also, booking heavy equipment movers helps you keep control over bulky items, making the move safer for everyone involved.

5. Maneuvering Around Tight Spaces

Bulky belongings often present challenges in handling large items when moving in narrow doorways and hallways. To maneuver effectively, try these techniques:

• Pivot and Tilt Large Items: For long items, like sofas or mattresses, tilting them vertically may help navigate narrow doorways or hallways. Have a partner assist to keep the item balanced.
• Take Doorways and Corners Slowly: Move inch by inch when turning large items around tight corners. Consider angling one end through the doorway first while your partner pivots the other end.
• Protect Walls and Doorframes: Tape cardboard or place towels over sharp corners of furniture. Adding padding to doorframes and walls also protects surfaces from scratches and dents.
• Consider Temporary Door Removal: For extremely tight spaces, remove doors from their hinges. This provides a few extra inches, which can make a difference when moving large items.

Large items can easily damage walls, doorframes, or floors if you’re not careful when maneuvering through tight spaces. Misjudging angles or moving too quickly can lead to scrapes, dents, or even broken items.

6. Loading Large Items into the Truck

When loading a moving truck, rely on a trustworthy freight shipping Boise company or follow specific steps to ensure items are stable and secure:

• Load Heavy Items First: Start by placing the heaviest items, like appliances and large furniture, at the back of the truck, closest to the cab. This distributes weight evenly and creates a solid base.
• Use Straps to Secure Items: Use ropes or straps to fasten large pieces to the sides of the truck. Secure items to prevent shifting during transit, especially if the road is uneven or you need to make sudden stops.
• Place Lighter Items on Top: Stack lighter boxes and items on top of heavier items, making sure they’re stable. Avoid stacking items too high, as this can cause them to topple.
• Distribute Weight Evenly: Arrange items on both sides of the truck to prevent it from tilting to one side. A well-balanced truck is safer and easier to drive.
• Keep Fragile Items Accessible: Place fragile or valuable items near the front of the truck or on top of other boxes. This prevents heavy items from crushing them during transit.

Improperly loading the moving truck can result in items shifting, falling, or being crushed during transit. Heavy furniture that’s not secured might tip over, damaging other items or even injuring you when you open the truck doors. Having a loading plan and securing items ensures everything stays in place, protecting your valuables and creating a safer unloading process at your destination.

7. Unloading and Setting Up Large Items

Unloading large items requires similar care to loading. Here’s how to manage handling large items when moving efficiently and safely:

• Reverse the Loading Order: Start by unloading the largest and heaviest items first, working your way to lighter items. This approach gives you more room to move around.
• Position Large Items First: Set large items in their designated spots immediately to avoid moving them around multiple times. For example, place beds, sofas, and tables in their respective rooms before bringing in smaller items.
• Reassemble as Needed: Use the labeled hardware bags you created earlier to reassemble any disassembled items. Follow photos or notes you took to make this process smoother.
• Double-Check Pathways and Walls: Confirm there are no obstacles along your path before you start unloading. If necessary, reapply protective padding on walls and doorframes to prevent any scratches.

Rushing through the unloading process can lead to dropped items, scraped floors, or damage to furniture. Without a structured approach to handling large items when moving, you may risk damaging newly moved-in pieces before they even find their place in your new home.

8. Know When to Hire Professional Movers

For extremely large, heavy, or valuable items, consider hiring professional movers who specialize in handling specialty items. Here are some examples:

• Pianos: Pianos are both heavy and delicate, requiring specialized equipment to prevent damage. Professional piano movers Boise recommends will know how to disassemble, move, and reassemble pianos without damaging sensitive components.
• Antiques and Art: Moving fragile and valuable antiques requires special packing materials and handling techniques. Professional movers offer additional protection and experience to transport such items safely.
• Oversized Appliances: Moving large appliances requires knowledge of their inner workings. Professional movers have the equipment to keep these items upright, secured, and protected during the move.
• Pool Tables: Pool tables have delicate surfaces and components, including felt and slate. Movers with experience in pool table transportation can disassemble and reassemble these items to avoid damage.

Handling highly valuable or particularly delicate items without professional help can result in costly mistakes. Specialized items like pianos, antiques, or pool tables require expert handling to avoid damage that could decrease their value or make repairs impossible. Hiring professionals with the right skills and equipment for these pieces is often a worthwhile investment that safeguards items you couldn’t easily replace.

Master the Move and Enjoy the Unpacking

You’ve tackled the big stuff—now it’s time to make your new space feel like home. With all the heavy lifting and handling large items when moving behind you, you can dive into the fun of unpacking and arranging each room just how you like it. Every precaution you took—every tool, technique, and plan—has brought you to the finish line with your belongings intact and ready for a fresh start. So, roll out the rugs, hang up those pictures, and settle in with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for what comes next.