Moving a few standard boxes is one thing. Moving a piano, large wardrobe, American-style fridge freezer, oversized sofa, antique cabinet or valuable piece of artwork is quite another.

Large, heavy and awkward items can create problems because of their weight, dimensions, shape, fragility or limited handholds. They may also need to be moved through narrow hallways, around tight staircases or across surfaces that could easily be damaged.

The safest approach is to plan the move before lifting anything.

That means understanding the item, checking the route, preparing the correct protection and deciding whether the job needs specialist equipment or more than one person. For particularly bulky household items, using an experienced furniture removals company can reduce the risk of injury and damage during the move.

Assess the Item Before You Move It

Before attempting to lift or shift anything, take time to understand what you are dealing with.

Look at:

• The approximate weight
• The overall dimensions
• The balance of the item
• Whether the weight is evenly distributed
• Whether there are useful handholds
• Whether anything can move or swing during transport
• Whether any part is particularly fragile

A tall wardrobe may be manageable when empty but much harder to control if drawers or shelves are still inside.

A washing machine may look compact, but its weight is concentrated low down.

A large framed picture may not be especially heavy, but its size and fragility can make it awkward to carry safely through a doorway.

Testing one side carefully can give you an indication of how difficult an item will be to move before committing to the lift.

Measure the Route in Advance

Many difficult moves become difficult because the route has not been checked first.

Measure the item and compare those measurements with:

• Doorways
• Hallways
• Staircases
• Landings
• Lifts
• Tight corners
• Gates
• Entrances
• Vehicle access points

Pay particular attention to turns rather than simply measuring doorway width.

A long sofa may fit through a door but still fail to make the turn immediately afterwards.

It is also worth checking ceiling height and stairwell clearance when moving tall furniture.

Where possible, plan the full route before the item leaves its original position.

Clear Hazards Before Lifting

The route should be completely clear before any heavy lifting begins.

Remove anything that could cause someone to trip, slip or lose balance.

This may include:

• Rugs
• Shoes
• Boxes
• Children’s toys
• Loose cables
• Doorstops
• Wet leaves
• Cleaning equipment
• Small furniture
• Other household items

Doors can also be secured open where appropriate so nobody has to stop midway through carrying a heavy object.

Good lighting is just as important.

Dark hallways, staircases or external paths make it much harder to judge steps and clearances while carrying something bulky.

Remove or Secure Loose Components

Reducing the weight of an item can make a significant difference.

Where appropriate, remove:

• Drawers
• Shelves
• Detachable legs
• Cushions
• Glass panels
• Doors
• Removable fittings

Keep screws, bolts and fittings together in a clearly labelled bag so they are easy to find when the item is reassembled.

Anything that cannot be removed should be secured.

Appliance doors, cupboard doors and moving components should not be left free to swing while the item is being carried.

Protect the Item Properly

Heavy items can still be delicate.

Furniture blankets, suitable wrapping materials and protective padding can help prevent scratches, dents and impact damage.

Particular attention should be given to:

• Corners
• Polished surfaces
• Glass
• Painted finishes
• Decorative edges
• Handles
• Protruding sections

Bubble wrap may be useful for some fragile components, while heavier furniture often benefits from quilted moving blankets or padded protection.

The wrapping should not interfere with safe grip points.

More delicate possessions need an approach based on their construction and vulnerability rather than simply their weight. The same principles used when moving delicate items safely can be particularly useful for artwork, ceramics, mirrors and older furniture.

Use Good Lifting Technique

Poor lifting technique is one of the easiest ways to cause injury during a move.

Before lifting, position your feet around shoulder-width apart and make sure you are stable.

One foot can be placed slightly forward to improve balance.

Lower yourself by bending your knees and hips rather than folding forward at the waist.

Try to keep your back in a neutral, upright position throughout the lift.

The force should come primarily from your legs rather than your lower back.

Keep Heavy Loads Close to Your Body

The further a heavy object is held away from your body, the greater the strain.

Where the size and shape of the item allows it, keep the load close to your torso and around waist height.

Avoid carrying a heavy item with your arms fully extended.

This reduces control and places additional pressure on your shoulders, arms and spine.

Awkward objects may not allow a perfect carrying position, which is one reason some items should be handled by two or more people.

Never Twist While Carrying

Twisting the upper body while carrying a heavy load can place unnecessary stress on the back.

If you need to change direction, move your feet.

Take small controlled steps and turn your whole body rather than twisting at the waist.

This is particularly important around:

• Corners
• Staircases
• Narrow corridors
• Doorways
• Vehicle ramps

A slow, controlled turn is usually much safer than trying to pivot quickly.

Lower Items Carefully

Putting an item down deserves the same attention as picking it up.

Do not simply bend forward and drop the item into position.

Reverse the lifting movement by bending your knees and lowering the load under control.

Once the item is fully supported by the floor, trolley or other surface, you can make smaller adjustments to its final position.

Avoid trying to reposition a very heavy object while still supporting most of its weight.

Use Moving Equipment Where Appropriate

Professional moving equipment can greatly reduce the amount of manual handling required.

Depending on the item, this might include:

• Sack trucks
• Furniture dollies
• Platform trolleys
• Moving straps
• Protective sliders
• Ramps
• Lifting equipment
• Specialist piano equipment

The correct equipment depends on the item, access and surfaces involved.

A trolley that works well on a flat hallway may be unsuitable on a staircase or uneven outdoor surface.

Push Heavy Items Rather Than Pulling Where Possible

Where an item can safely be moved along a suitable surface, pushing will often place less strain on the body than pulling.

Furniture sliders or suitable protective material underneath an object can sometimes allow it to move without being fully lifted.

However, dragging heavy furniture directly across the floor can cause significant damage.

Wooden floors, tiles, laminate and carpets should all be properly protected.

Never assume that a heavy item can simply be pushed because it moves slightly when tested.

Use More Than One Person for Bulky Items

An item does not have to be exceptionally heavy to require two people.

Large objects can be difficult to control simply because of their shape.

Examples include:

• Mattresses
• Sofas
• Wardrobes
• Dining tables
• Large mirrors
• Tall cabinets
• Artwork
• Appliances

Team lifting should always involve clear communication.

Before moving, agree:

• Who is leading the lift
• Which direction you are travelling
• Where the item will be placed
• Who will call for stops
• How corners and stairs will be handled

Everyone involved should understand the plan before the item leaves the floor.

Moving Pianos

Pianos are among the most specialist household items to move.

Even smaller upright pianos can be extremely heavy, while much of the weight may be concentrated in one part of the instrument.

They can also contain delicate internal components and polished surfaces that are easily damaged.

A piano move normally requires:

• Multiple people
• Appropriate lifting equipment
• Heavy-duty protective covers
• Secure transport
• Careful route planning

Stairs, steps and tight access can make the job considerably more complex.

Trying to move a piano with insufficient equipment or manpower risks injury as well as serious damage to the instrument.

Moving Large Wardrobes and Furniture

Wardrobes, cabinets and other tall furniture can often be made safer to move by removing drawers, shelves and detachable components.

In some cases, complete dismantling may be the better option.

Before lifting, check whether the item is:

• Solid wood
• Flat-pack construction
• Glazed
• Antique
• Structurally weak
• Top-heavy

Flat-pack furniture in particular may not be designed to withstand being moved while fully assembled.

An experienced removal team can determine whether an item should be transported intact or dismantled first.

Moving Large Appliances

Washing machines, tumble dryers, cookers and fridge freezers can be deceptively difficult to move.

Before transport, appliances should be disconnected correctly and prepared in accordance with their requirements.

This may involve:

• Draining water
• Securing hoses
• Protecting cables
• Securing doors
• Removing detachable shelves
• Using transit bolts where required

Large fridge freezers can be particularly awkward because they combine significant weight with height and limited handholds.

Washing machines present similar challenges, and preparing a washing machine for moving properly can help prevent damage to the appliance and surrounding property.

The route should always be carefully checked before attempting to move large white goods.

Moving Fine Art and Antiques

Fine art and antiques present a different challenge.

The primary concern may not be weight, but value, age and fragility.

Items such as paintings, antique furniture, sculptures and decorative pieces may require specialist packing and handling.

This can include:

• Acid-free tissue
• Protective wrapping
• Corner protection
• Purpose-made crates
• Foam protection
• Waterproof outer layers
• Individual inventory records

An item that has survived for decades or centuries should not be treated in the same way as everyday furniture.

Professional antique and fine art removals can involve different packing materials, lifting methods and transportation arrangements depending on the condition and construction of each piece.

Know When Not to Attempt It Yourself

There is a point where moving an item yourself stops being practical.

If you are unsure whether an object can be moved safely, that uncertainty is usually a good reason to stop and reassess.

Large items become particularly risky where there are:

• Multiple flights of stairs
• Very narrow access
• Significant weight
• High monetary value
• Fragile construction
• Difficult lifting angles
• Limited parking
• Long carrying distances
• Uneven ground

It is better to use additional manpower or specialist equipment than to risk injury or damage.

The same considerations apply to local house moves. When arranging removals in Calne, for example, identifying pianos, large furniture and other awkward items in advance allows the right equipment and number of movers to be planned before moving day.

Specialist Handling Makes a Difference

Moving large or unusual items safely is mainly about preparation.

The correct technique matters, but so does having the right people, equipment and protection.

A professional removal team can assess the item and route before moving begins, identify potential problems and determine the safest method of getting the item from one property to another.

For particularly difficult or valuable belongings, this planning can make the difference between a straightforward move and an expensive accident.

Now We’re Moving regularly handles household furniture, large appliances, specialist equipment, antiques, artwork and other difficult-to-move items.

Whether an item needs additional manpower, protective wrapping, dismantling, specialist lifting equipment or secure transport, careful preparation should always come before lifting.