How to Pick Up Your Ashley Furniture So You Don’t Hurt Yourself
Redecorating your home doesn’t have to be a pain—Ashley Furniture’s high-quality designs and affordable style makes changing up your home a snap. But when you’re moving new pieces into your place, it’s important to learn proper techniques or you could be in for a world of hurt. So how can you protect yourself while moving your furniture? Before you bring home your new sofa or bedroom set from Ashley, read up on these tips to safely move your pieces without hurting yourself in the process.
Invest in the Right Tools
Before you get started, make sure you have a few moving accessories. A shoulder dolly or lifting straps can make moving bulky objects easier and take some pressure off your back, making it less likely that you’ll get hurt. These tools are great for moving heavy pieces over flat surfaces and finding just the right spot for a new couch, bookcase, or chair.
Take your Time
It can be tempting to rush through the moving process to get to the more exciting parts of redecorating, but when you’re moving furniture, it’s important to remember that it’s not a race. Take your time, discuss your plan of action, and decide where you want the furniture to go ahead of time. Don’t be afraid to take breaks—it’s better to set aside a whole day for getting your new pieces settled in than waste the week in bed recovering from a preventable injury.
Partner Up
Even if you have the right tools, trying to move furniture alone can be difficult and dangerous. Recruit your partner or roommate to help when you bring your new Ashley furniture home. If you live alone, call some friends over to lend a hand or hire professional movers to get the job done.
Lift with the Legs
We hear this all the time when talking about proper lifting techniques, but what does it actually mean? In essence, it means you should bend your knees instead of your back when lifting furniture. Keep your back straight and your shoulders squared. Make sure to keep your legs about shoulder-width apart to keep your base stable and distribute weight evenly across your body. Your legs have a lot more lifting strength than your arms or your core, so make use of them and protect your back from potential injury.
Keep It Simple
Always look for the simplest possible way to move your Ashley pieces. Once your furniture is inside, use furniture sliders, a dolly, or a moving blanket to slide—rather than carry or drag—your pieces into place. Frisbees and glossy magazines can also be placed under furniture edges in a pinch, to reduce friction between the furniture and the ground.
Use the High-Low Method
When moving long or tall furniture, tip it backward and carry it at an angle instead of holding it level. That means one person will hold the top of a sofa or bookcase, while someone else lifts from the bottom. This method makes it easier to carry furniture up stairs and helps keep you from losing your grip on the furniture.
Slow and Steady
Never try to lift quickly or rush to move a furniture piece. Moving slowly helps your muscles adapt to the extra strain. Keep your feet planted and hold items low, near your center of gravity, to keep from losing your balance. When moving around corners, don’t twist at the waist, but move your whole body to face the new direction of the furniture. Take it one step at a time—your body will thank you!