Summary
A bed is challenging to move around, especially when you have a large-size frame in a small space. Knowing how to move a bed could help you determine which components will need to be disassembled, which can be moved initially, and with whom you might require help. This guide includes the work starting off with the bed preparation and ending with the reassembling of the bed at its new location.
A bed is one of those furniture items that appears to be easy to move around, but when you attempt to do it, it turns out to be rather difficult. The weight is just one of the problems; the frame, size, staircases, and door frames can be challenging. Then here comes the question: how to move a bed without making it hard work? A lot of it is knowing what you have to deal with prior to starting. There are beds that can be disassembled and then moved, and others that may require two individuals to move them. Anyway, the fact that you should know what needs to be disassembled and where the bed go makes a real difference.
8 Useful Tips For Moving A Bed Without Damaging The House
The manner in which to relocate a bed will be determined by its construction, size, as well as its destination. When a bed is to be moved in the same room, it may require practically no preparation, but when it is taken down the stairs or to another house, it will have to be disassembled.
The following are important points to consider before you begin.
1. Plan The Route Before You Start Moving
You should always plan the route when considering how to move a bed for relocating. The stairs may not be wide enough, the door may not be big enough, or the turn may be too difficult to allow moving the bed without breaking it down first.
You need to check:
- Doorway widths
- Hallway space
- Staircase turns
- Low ceilings or lights
- Furniture along the route
Remove small obstacles out of the way before beginning. Familiarity with the narrow areas will also indicate the extent to which the bed will need to be taken apart.
2. Remove The Bedding And Mattress
Don't try to move a complete bed with the mattress and bedding still on it.
Start by taking off the duvet, pillows, sheets, and any topper. The mattress should then be lifted away from the bed and put somewhere dry and clean while you deal with the frame or base.
Before moving the bed itself:
- Strip off all bedding
- Remove the mattress
- Take away loose cushions
- Empty nearby floor space
- Keep bedding together
Removing these items reduces the weight you're dealing with and gives you a better view of how the bed is put together.
3. Empty Any Storage Before Moving The Bed
For storage beds, they require an additional task before they can be relocated.
Empty all the drawers or storage areas under the mattress. Items placed inside create weight and can move around during transport of the base.
Remove things such as:
- Bedding
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Towels
- Boxes and other stored items
It is especially crucial for an ottoman divan bed because the base and lifting mechanism should be taken care of. The bed will be easier to manage once the storage area is cleared, and there will be less risk of items shifting when handling a move.
4. Take Apart The Sections Designed To Come Off
A large bed does not necessarily have to be moved as a single entity.ย
If you are not sure how to move a bed through a small doorway or up stairs, look at the frame of the base and learn its construction.
You may be able to remove:
- The headboard
- Bed feet or castors
- Side rails
- Slats
- Separate base sections
Don't force anything that doesn't appear to come apart. If you still have the bed's assembly instructions, use them to work backwards. Taking off the right sections can make doorways and stairs access much easier to deal with.
5. Organise Screws And Small Parts
When the bed gets to another room, it can sometimes be a real challenge to locate a few screws. When the components detach, place the fittings in a safe area, not on the ground or left unlocked in a toolbox.
You should keep track of:
- Screws
- Bolts
- Washers
- Nuts
- Small brackets
A labelled bag or container works well. If several types of fittings are used, separate them according to the part they came from. A quick snap before dismantling an area that you haven't seen before can also assist you when installing things again.
6. Keep Bed, Wall, and Floors Safe
Corners and edges are usually the parts most likely to catch something while a bed is being carried.
A blanket or appropriate covering around areas can contribute to the safety of the bed and surrounding furniture. Floors can also require a certain amount of attention, especially if there is a wood, laminate, or other type of floor that could get marked while moving across it.
Before lifting, consider:
- Covering exposed corners
- Protecting upholstered sections
- Clearing wall decorations
- Covering vulnerable flooring
- Keeping doorways fully open
Dragging the bed across the floor is not recommended. It can still leave scratches behind on the floor, and dragging can cause added stress to the bed itself.
7. Lift The Bed With Enough Help
Though the bed may appear easy to handle, it can be quite challenging to move beds. If a section is bulky or heavy, don't try to do it yourself.
Before lifting:
- Decide who will take each end
- Agree on where you're going
- Lift together
- Move slowly around corners
- Put the section down if anyone loses grip
If the bed is heavy and extremely difficult to break down, or you need to move it up or down a difficult staircase, perhaps you should hire a professional moving company.
8. Put The Bed In Its New Position
Once the separate parts reach the new room, decide where the bed is going before rebuilding it. Check the available space and leave enough room for nearby furniture to work properly.
Before reassembling, check:
- The bed's final position
- Wardrobe and drawer clearance
- Access around the bed
- Nearby sockets
- Space for the headboard
Use the fittings you set aside to assemble each section, and test it to make sure it is secure. When the frame or base is stable, bedding or mattresses can be put on, and it's ready for you to use.
What Not To Do When Relocating A Bed?
The majority of issues occur when you are rushed. You can make a simple job tricky if you pull a loaded frame across the floor, or if storage is filled, or if you have to fit a frame together in a small doorway.
A few things are best avoided from the start.
-
Don't drag the bed along the floor
Depending on the distance to travel, it may be easier to drag the bed than to lift it.
The problem is that it is under the surface. Bed feet can scratch hard floors, catch on carpet or become strained as the frame is pulled sideways.
Instead:
- Remove as much weight as possible
- Ask someone to help
- Lift manageable sections
- Protect delicate flooring
- Move one section at a time
For a small change within the same room, suitable furniture sliders may help with some beds, provided they're appropriate for the floor and the bed can be moved safely.
-
Don't Force A Large Frame Through A Tight Space
If a frame clearly won't pass through a doorway, pushing harder isn't likely to solve the problem.
You could mark the wall, damage the frame or get the bed stuck halfway through. Stop and look at which sections can be removed instead.
Check whether you can:
- Take off the headboard
- Remove the feet
- Separate frame sections
- Turn the piece safely
- Use a different route
A few minutes spent taking off another part can be much easier than dealing with damage afterwards.
-
Don't Rush The Reassembly
After the bed is ready in the newly built room, the work isn't done yet.
ย When restoring the mattress, re-check for fitting and that the bed is stable before placing the mattress. If the item was loose, you need to make sure to tighten its parts before using it at night.
Pay attention to:
- Loose bolts
- Misaligned sections
- Slats sitting incorrectly
- Headboard fittings
- Feet or castors
If everything doesn't fit correctly, it is recommended to avoid using the bed. Go back over the assembly and check whether another section needs adjusting first.
Conclusion
Once the job is divided into smaller stages, the answer to how to move a bed becomes much easier to work through. Start by checking the route and clearing the bed, then remove the mattress, empty any storage and take apart the sections that are designed to be separated.
Keep the fittings somewhere safe, protect the bed and surrounding surfaces, and get another person to help with bulky sections. Once the bed is relocated to its new room, determine where it will fit and place it before assembly. A few minutes invested at the start of the job can save lots of unnecessary lifting along the way.
FAQs
Will the bed require disassembly prior to being moved?
Not in every case. It may depend on:
- Bed size
- Doorway width
- Staircase space
- Frame construction
- Distance being moved
Do you need to take the mattress out of a bed when moving it?
Yes. Removing it can provide:
- Less weight to carry
- Better access to the frame
- Easier handling through doors
- Less chance of mattress damage
What should you do with bed screws when moving?
Keep small fittings organised using:
- Labelled bags
- Small containers
- Separate bags for each section
- Photos for assembly reference
When should you consider professional help?
Extra help may be sensible for:
- Very heavy bed sections
- Narrow or difficult stairs
- Large frames that won't dismantle easily
- Moves where safe lifting isn't possible