Tips for Maneuvering a Sofa Through a Tight Doorway

Diane E. Schmidt is a relocation specialist drawing from her extensive personal experience. Having relocated more than 28 times, she has resided in four different countries, ten cities, two towns, and a seaside village.

Navigating a couch through a tight doorway can be a challenging task due to factors like attached cushions and sticking out legs. Nevertheless, with some strategic thinking and preparation, you may successfully maneuver your sofa through a challenging entrance. Here’s what you should consider when attempting to move a couch through a narrow door.

Tip

This project requires two individuals, since even a lightweight couch can weigh around 100 pounds. Sleeper sofas and many standard sofas can exceed 350 pounds.

Essential Tools and Materials Required

• Tape measure
• Notebook and writing instrument
• Battery-operated drill and screwdriver attachments
• A pointed object like a nail or something similar.
• Hammer
• Protective eyewear
• Box cutter
• Crowbar
• Pliers
• Labor gloves
• Oversized towel
• Lifting belts

Instructions

Take off the cushions and additional components.

If the legs can be detached without difficulty, start by removing them. If they cannot be taken off, keep them in place. Take off any cushions, throw pillows, and any other loose items from the sofa.

Determine the measurements of the couch.

Using a measuring tape, take note of the external dimensions of the sofa. To determine the sofa’s maximum size, use the outer edges as reference points. For the height, stretch the tape from the ground to the tallest point of the sofa’s back. For the width, measure from one arm of the sofa to the arm directly across from it, ensuring you identify the outermost points. For the depth, measure from the front to the back of the sofa.

Assess the dimensions of every opening.

If you’re planning to maneuver your sofa through tight areas like doorways, hallways, staircases, or elevator entrances, it’s essential to be aware of the measurements of these spaces. Grab your tape measure to check the height and width of the openings. Make sure to jot down the measurements in a notebook.

Relate the dimensions of the couch to the sizes of the openings.

Evaluate the dimensions of your couch in relation to the dimensions of the doorways and openings. It’s essential to sketch out your plan beforehand, before attempting to move the couch. This preparation can help prevent injuries and protect your home from damage.

A couch that measures under 80 inches in width is typically suitable for vertical movement, as most interior and exterior door frames are around 80 inches in height, factoring in door stops. Additionally, if the couch is 29 inches in height or depth, it is generally possible to maneuver it horizontally through doorways, since the width of interior door frames is typically 29 1/4 inches and exterior door frames are 35 inches wide, including door stops.

Take off the doors.

Typically, it’s advisable to take off interior doors prior to relocating the couch. These doors are relatively light and can be easily detached without the need to unscrew the hinges from the door or the frame.

To take off a door, use a nail or a similar pointed tool to gently tap the hinge pins upward from the bottom. Once the pins are completely removed, slide the door to the side to detach it from the hinges.

If you prefer not to take down the door or believe it isn’t required, you should measure from one doorstop to the nearest edge of the door when it is fully opened. Keeping the door in its position can decrease the width of the opening by up to 1 1/4 inches.

Take off the door stops and hinges (if desired).

If you require additional space to maneuver the couch through the entrance, consider taking off the doorstops and hinges.

Doorstops are the trim pieces located on the interior of a door frame that secure the door when it is shut. By taking out the doorstops on the sides, you can achieve an additional 1/2 inch of space with the removal of one, or 1 inch if both are taken out. Additionally, removing the top doorstop can provide an extra 1/2 inch in height.

Taking off the door hinges can provide an additional half inch of width for the door. Furthermore, this action can protect snugly fitting couches from potential damage. Utilize a cordless drill along with the appropriate driver bits to unscrew the hinges, and then place them to the side.

Shift the sofa either side to side or up and down.

All movers should don gloves and lift the couch by its frame whenever feasible. For particularly heavy couches, it may be essential for both movers to utilize lifting straps. If it has been established that the couch can be transported vertically, position it on its end with a towel placed underneath to safeguard the fabric. Slide the couch towards the entrance, then maneuver it through the doorway either straight on or with a hooking motion, allowing either the back or the seat to enter first. If the couch can be moved horizontally and remains level, carry it straight out while keeping it in a flat position.

Tip

Make sure to maintain a firm and stable hold on the sofa, and use the strength in your legs to lift it. Avoid using your back muscles for the lift.

Position the sofa at an angle (optional).

When other techniques don’t work, it may be possible to shift a couch diagonally. Initially, both individuals lifting the couch should grasp it at either end. Next, the couch is angled forward at a 45-degree angle, allowing the first person to maneuver the front arm of the couch around the door frame. The remainder of the couch then moves in a corkscrew-like fashion. This approach demands significant physical strength and may be unfeasible for many, as it involves a considerable amount of back-and-forth adjustments.

Extra Tips for Moving a Couch

• If you’re in a tight spot and your home features wall-to-wall carpeting, but you require additional vertical space, you can carefully remove the carpeting near the door. Start by taking off the baseboards, and you may also need to separate the carpet seams.
• You can frequently engage a moving service or a furniture specialist to either completely or partially take apart your sofa, transport it, and then put it back together in the room of your choice. Additionally, if the sofa proves to be too cumbersome, it’s advisable to enlist the help of professionals to handle the task.
• Having a third person available can be beneficial for clearing a path while you and another individual maneuver the sofa.

What steps can you take if your sofa is too large to pass through the doorway?

If your sofa can’t pass through the doorway, experiment with rotating it in various angles, taking it apart, or even taking the door off its hinges. If none of these options work, think about whether there might be an alternative entrance available.

Is it possible to take apart a couch?

Indeed, certain sofas can be taken apart. Gently detach the primary sections of the sofa, as this can facilitate maneuvering it through a doorway.

What are the best methods for maneuvering furniture through narrow corners?

With a bit of patience and time, you can maneuver furniture through narrow corners. Experiment with shifting the furniture in various directions, and in some cases, disassembling it can simplify the process of fitting it through.