Moving Bulky Items: How to Handle the Heavy Stuff Without Losing Your Mind
Every move comes with its headaches—packing dishes without breaking them, making sure every box is labelled, or figuring out where the heck the charger for your phone went. But one of the biggest challenges? Dealing with the bulky stuff.
Think sectionals, treadmills, pianos, wardrobes, fridges, or that king-sized mattress that felt like a dream when you bought it but now feels like a nightmare to move. These oversized pieces are awkward, heavy, and often just plain stubborn.
The good news is: with the right prep, tools, and a bit of strategy, you can move even the bulkiest items without throwing out your back—or your patience. Let’s break it down.
Why Bulky Items Are So Tricky
Bulky doesn’t always mean heavy. The real issues usually come down to three things:
Size vs. space: A couch might not weigh much, but good luck twisting it around a tight staircase or through a narrow doorway.
Awkward weight: Heavy items like appliances or dressers aren’t always balanced, making them hard to carry safely.
Damage risk: Oversized pieces can easily ding walls, scratch floors, or dent themselves if you’re not careful.
That’s why moving the big stuff takes more than muscle—it takes a plan.
Prepping Bulky Items Before Moving Day
If you spend a little extra time prepping, moving day will go a whole lot smoother. Here’s what helps:
Measure first: Check the dimensions of your furniture against doorways, hallways, and staircases at both your old and new place.
Take things apart: Remove table legs, bed frames, fridge doors—anything you can disassemble, do it. Smaller pieces are always easier.
Protect everything: Wrap furniture in moving blankets or shrink wrap. Use cardboard to protect doorframes and corners.
Empty appliances: Unplug, clean, and drain your fridge, freezer, or washer before moving. They’ll be lighter and less messy.
Tools That Make a Huge Difference
You don’t need to be a professional mover to use the same tricks they do. A few basic tools can make moving bulky items much less painful:
Dollies/hand trucks for appliances and stacked boxes.
Furniture straps to give you leverage and save your back.
Sliders that let you glide furniture across hardwood or carpet.
Moving blankets to protect furniture and walls.
Stair rollers if you’ve got multiple levels to tackle.
If you don’t have these on hand, many rental centres or moving supply stores rent them out.
How to Handle Common Bulky Items
Sofas & Sectionals
Take off the legs and cushions, wrap the frame in a moving blanket, and tilt it vertically if you need to squeeze through narrow spots.
Appliances
Fridges, washers, and dryers are heavy and fragile. Tape down cords, secure doors, and keep them upright during transport to avoid damaging the mechanics.
Pianos
Pianos are in a league of their own. Between their weight, value, and fragility, most people hire pros for this. If you’re DIY-ing, get lots of helpers, heavy-duty equipment, and padding.
Mattresses
They’re not heavy but they’re awkward. Mattress bags help keep them clean and dry, and straps will stop them from sliding around in the truck.
Exercise Equipment
Disassemble as much as you can. Tape moving parts and keep screws and bolts together in a labelled bag.
Safety First
This is where a lot of people get hurt. Moving bulky items is tough on your body if you don’t take precautions:
Lift with your legs, not your back.
Never move big items alone—always team up.
Wear good shoes and gloves for grip.
Clear your pathways before lifting.
Pace yourself—take breaks to avoid fatigue.
DIY vs. Hiring Movers
So, should you tackle bulky items yourself or call in the pros?
DIY
Pros: Cheaper, more flexible.
Cons: Risk of injury, higher chance of damaging furniture or your home, takes longer.
Hiring movers
Pros: They’ve got the experience, the equipment, the insurance, and the muscle.
Cons: Costs more.
For valuable, fragile, or oversized items, hiring movers is almost always worth it.
Weather and Moving the Big Stuff
Bad weather can make a hard job even harder.
Snow and ice: Shovel and salt your pathways to avoid slipping.
Rain: Use plastic covers or tarps to keep items dry.
Cold: Don’t leave electronics or wood furniture sitting in a freezing truck for too long.
Even mud in spring can turn moving heavy pieces into a slippery challenge. Plan ahead for whatever the forecast throws at you.
Tips for a Smoother Move
Start planning for bulky items early—don’t leave them for the last minute.
Keep screws, bolts, and small parts in labelled bags.
Protect floors and walls with mats or cardboard.
Decide in advance where each bulky piece will go in your new place.
Be realistic—sometimes a piece won’t fit. Have a backup plan to sell, donate, or store it.
Final Thoughts
Bulky items are usually the most stressful part of moving, but they don’t have to be. With the right prep, a few handy tools, and maybe a couple of strong friends (or professional movers), you can get them moved safely and without too much drama.
Remember—it’s not just about strength. It’s about working smarter, protecting your stuff, and making the process as easy on yourself as possible.
