Moving furniture through doorways is not something most of us are eager to do; upon first thought, we worry about damaging the furniture piece, the walls, or both! And if it's a sectional couch--perhaps the most essential of your home belongings--you may feel extra apprehensive about this daunting task. While that's understandable, you've come to the right place. We gathered all the information you'll need to move your sectional couch through doorways and remain worry-free!
The sizes of both your couch and doorways are your most critical factors. Both exterior and interior doorways are 80" tall, with the average width being 30" to 32". To ensure that a sectional will fit through a narrower doorway of 24" to 28", at least ONE dimension of the sectional--be it the depth, height, o`r diagonal distance--must be less than 24" to 28". Even if some pieces are still connected with a few tips, a sectional couch can indeed pass through a narrow door. And to simplify things, we've compiled a list of sectional couches that will easily pass through smaller-sized doorways:
- The HONBAY Convertible Sectional Sofa Couch
- T35 VIG Black Leather Sectional
- Girardi Modular Chaise Sectional Sofa
- Christopher Knight Home Sectional Couch
If you are looking for directions to move your sectional through a narrow door without damaging the sofa, doorframe, or walls, keep reading. We've got step-by-step instructions, professional movers' tricks, and smaller-sized sectionals outlined below. All you have to do is keep reading!
Sectional Configurations
First, you might wonder what makes a sectional different from a standard couch. Unlike sofas and loveseats, sectionals have at least three or more independent pieces that can be arranged in a variety of shapes, most commonly in an L or U-shape.
Do sectional sofas attach?
Yes, that's the beauty of sectionals; they are modular pieces, attaching seamlessly to each other with unseen hooks and latches to look just like a couch. Conversely, sectional pieces can also detach from each other to be rearranged in any configuration you'd like.
How to move a sectional through a narrow doorway
Step 1: Measure and Plan
Before you begin moving anything, grab a pencil, paper, and measuring tape; getting the correct measurements of your door and sectional will determine how successful your move will be.
Carefully measure your sectional's width, height, and depth. Professional movers also suggest calculating the sectional's diagonal distance, which means measuring from the bottom of one corner to the top of the couch's opposite top corner. Now measure the door's inside height and width, keeping in mind to measure from jamb to jamb.
As long as the door's width is larger than either the couch's depth, height, OR diagonal distance, the piece will fit through a door. So to move a sectional through a narrow 24" to 28" door, only one dimension of the piece must measure 24" to 28".
Also, consider the actual door if there is one. Will it open wide enough to allow the pieces through? If not, don't worry; removing a door is easy. Just tap the pin in the hinges upward with a hammer, and pull it out. Finally, plan your route to the door, noting any sharp turns, potential obstacles, or decor that could fall off the walls during the move.
Step 2: Prepare the pieces for movement
Remove cushions, pillows, or any other features that can be removed from the couch, as well as frames or wall decorations. If necessary, remove the sectional's legs, an expert's most common recommendation to add an inch or two of door space.
As noted above, sectionals' pieces are intended to be attachable and detachable, so separating the couch's pieces is a smart idea; smaller pieces make for an easier move, right? Most of the time, the answer is yes; however, if two pieces are connected in length, and their weight is manageable, it may be fine to keep them attached and save yourself an extra trip. It is unlikely, though, that you can move a fully assembled sectional through a doorway.
After determining which parts of the sectional should be separated, protect each piece by wrapping a blanket, towels, or furniture pad over the couch, securing it with straps or bungee cords. This step will help prevent damage to the walls and/or sectional should you accidentally bump against them.
Step 3: Make the move
Moving furniture through a door is really a two-person job. Ideally, it's best to have a third person keep an eye on the couch, doors, angles, and turns, effectively guiding the movers to their destination.
In a perfect world, each sectional piece's depth or height is smaller than the door's width, and two people can simply lift the couch, moving it easily through the doorway either vertically or horizontally. However, with a narrower door space, you'll probably need to maneuver the sectional's pieces via a few different angles.
Turn the piece so it is standing on its end. Have one mover at each end lift and tilt the piece forward at a 45-degree angle. If there is an arm on the section you are moving, lead with that end, hooking it through the opening. Walk slowly through the doorway, tilting, adjusting, and rotating the angles as necessary. Professional movers do warn that moving furniture in this corkscrew fashion requires significant strength, so make sure that both people moving the sectional have strong bodies and good health.
These 4 sectionals will fit through nearly any doorway:
The HONBAY Convertible Sectional Sofa Couch
Click here to see this sectional on Amazon.
This sectional is one of the smaller-scaled options perfect for smaller spaces, especially in apartments. With its measurements being 78.5" x 30.3" x 35", it will easily slide through a standard-sized 30" to 32" wide doorway. What's special about this product is that the ottoman, pulled to either the right or left, creates the chaise option, or if preferred, the ottoman can serve as a movable footrest wherever you are sitting.
T35 VIG Black Leather Sectional
See this luxurious leather sectional on Amazon.
This contemporary leather sectional has all the unique pieces to create a large U-shaped seating area. When assembled, it is large, but the sections have only a 30" height measurement, so while there are many pieces, they will each be able to move through a smaller, standard-sized doorway.
Girardi Modular Chaise Sectional Sofa
Click here to see the Girardi Modular Chaise Sectional Sofa on Amazon.
With a height measurement of just 29", a sectional from Girardi is sure to glide through your standard doorway. What's more, the piece that creates the L shape is reversible, allowing you to create a right or left L shape.
Christopher Knight Home Sectional Couch
Click here to see this classic sectional on Amazon.
With clean lines and a compact structure, this six-piece sectional will compliment any living area without any concern of overwhelming size. Its height is 27.5", the easiest size that can be pushed through even a narrower doorway.
What do you do if your couch doesn't fit through the door?
This is a scenario no one wants to find themselves in, but it can happen. Professional movers suggest these tips and tricks add even just an inch or two of precious doorway space.
We've already discussed removing any pieces from the couch and trying multiple angles through trial and error, but you can also remove the door, its hinges, and the door jambs, which could open up at least an inch or two. Pulling back any carpet and removing the threshold, or, in a worst-case scenario, removing the door's frame are last-resort options.
How do you measure if the furniture will fit up stairs?
Maneuvering furniture upstairs may be the least desirable task when moving, but after removing protruding rails, all you really need to measure is the width of your staircase at its narrowest point. If this distance is wider than the height of your furniture, it will fit.
How do you move big furniture by yourself?
It is possible that you can move some pieces such as a table, chairs, or even a dresser, by yourself. You'll still need to measure all your pieces and plan your route as described above, as week as using the tools and safety tips listed below.
Use floor slides, flat, plastic pieces to slide under the item you are moving, and slowly push the item across smooth flooring or carpeted surfaces to its intended location. If moving furniture over hardwood floors, use a mat or towel instead.
Click here to see these on Amazon.
If your route includes stairs, you'll need a ramp, which you can rent from any moving company. You might also need furniture straps or bungee cords to secure your pieces as you move them. For tall and narrow items, use a two-wheel hand dolly by slipping the lip gently under your piece, carefully tilting it toward yourself, and wheeling it to its destination.
And remember, when lifting items, bend with your knees, not your back, never twist your back while lifting, and know your limit. Some furniture pieces simply require two or more people to move.
Summary
Sectional sofas pieces are cumbersome to move through narrow doorways, but it's not impossible. Do your prep work by carefully measuring doorways and furniture sections, lift and move items slowly, and remain patient as you and your moving partner twist, tilt, and maneuver the pieces through the doorway. It's not a fun process, but it is worth it.