How to Move a Couch By Yourself in 7 Steps

Before lifting a finger, measure the dimensions of your couch to ensure it can fit through the doorways of your home. Plus, the exact measurements will help you decide which route to move the couch outside. For example, you might have to move the couch on its side or remove interior doors if it's a tight fit.

Since you’re moving a couch by yourself, you won’t have anyone around to warn you if you’re about to step on a Lego or knock into a table. To avoid any roadblocks, clear a pathway from the couch’s current position to the moving vehicle.

Remove obstacles like decorative plant stands and objects around the doorway, such as a seating bench or coat rack. Avoid accidents by removing kids' toys and pets right before you start the moving process.

You don’t want to move into a new home with a dirty couch, so vacuum and clean the upholstery according to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, you ensure you leave enough time for the fabric or leather to dry, especially if the couch is going to long-term storage. That way, your couch will be fresh and clean when you set it up in your new home.

Now that the couch is clean, it’s time to break it down into pieces. If possible, remove the cushions, unscrew the legs, and separate the sections. Don’t try to remove parts that don’t naturally separate, like sewn-on back cushions. 

Wrap the couch legs in bubble wrap to avoid scratches during transport. Then, place small pieces like furniture clips in plastic bags, and don’t forget where you’ve stashed them during the move.

Next, use heavy-duty plastic wrap to wrap your couch cushions individually. In a pinch, plastic trash bags work for a non-storage, temporary move. 

To secure the couch for moving, cover it with a moving blanket or two and secure them with packing tape. Then, cover the entire couch in plastic wrap, taping it tightly so that it doesn’t rip during the move.

Furniture sliders or a dolly are your back’s best friend when moving, plus they protect your floors. These moving tools are best suited for sliding a couch across hardwood floors.

• Place the plastic sliders under each couch leg (or space where there was once a leg), and position your furniture to head to the exit. 

• If your door is on the same level as the ground, you can push your couch out to the moving truck.

• Another option is to use a furniture dolly. Carefully lift (with your knees, not your back) a portion of your couch onto the dolly, ensuring the wheels are locked. 

• Then, carefully shimmy the rest of the couch onto it once it's stable. You may need to load the couch on its side, depending on the couch’s size. 

• You should secure the couch on the dolly using moving straps before rolling it out to the moving truck.

If you’re moving a couch yourself, you should ensure that your moving truck has a portable ramp. This addition will make loading your couch into the moving truck easier and safer.

If your moving vehicle has a ramp, roll it up to the inside of the truck before removing the moving straps and carefully unloading the couch. If you don’t have a ramp and the truck bumper isn’t too high, incline the couch base onto the truck bed two feet at a time. Then, lift the remaining portion onto the truck.