How to Move a Sectional Couch Without Losing Your Marbles

Moving and learning how to carry a big sectional sofa can feel like a logistical nightmare. However, it’s really just a puzzle waiting to be solved. The secret to moving your couch is a solid game plan. This guide will help you move your couch safely and securely.

Always remember the two golden rules of lifting any heavy furniture: use your legs, not your back, and get a good grip with some sturdy straps. 

Learning how to move a sectional couch is essential, as it’s a large piece of furniture. Teamwork is key. Of course, if you’ve got one of our ridiculously easy-to-move modular sofas, you’re already halfway there to moving your sectional couch. 

Contents

• Measure for Tight Spaces

• Disassemble Your Sectional Sofa

• 4 Simple Steps to Protect Your Couch

• 3 Ways to Handle Tricky Moving Spots

• How to Lift and Load Like a Pro

• What's Your Next Big Move?

Key Takeaways

Measure everything before you move. Grab your tape measure and check every doorway, hallway, and stairwell on your exit route to avoid getting your couch wedged in a tight spot.

Disassemble and protect like a pro. Break your sectional into separate pieces, label everything clearly, and wrap each module to protect the fabric and keep it looking great.

Use the right gear and technique. Furniture sliders on flat surfaces, sturdy lifting straps, and proper leg-based lifting will save your back and make the whole job more manageable. Call in a moving company if you need backup.

Measure for Tight Spaces

There’s nothing worse than getting a hefty sofa module wedged in a doorway. It’s one of the most common mistakes on moving day. 

To avoid this soul-crushing scenario, grab your measuring tape and get familiar with every inch of your exit path. This is the single most important step to prevent damage to your couch, your walls, and your sanity, especially in tight spaces. Your sectional furniture deserves care.

1. Measure Each Module

Break down your sectional and measure the height, width, and depth of every single piece of the couch. Write all the dimensions down carefully.

2. Map Your Path

Measure the width and height of every doorway, hallway, and stairwell on the exit route. Don't forget to account for light fixtures or tight corners. This will help you navigate tight spaces.

3. Check the Elevators

If you’re in an apartment building, measure the elevator doors and the internal diagonal space. This is a classic rookie mistake when moving a large sectional couch.

4. Sketch it Out

Draw a quick floor plan of your exit path with all the measurements. It sounds like overkill, but it helps you visualize the move and spot potential bottlenecks before your couch is stuck.

Disassemble Your Sectional Sofa

Now for the fun bit: taking it all apart. How you do this depends entirely on your sofa. Some are held together with chunky bolts, others with hidden clips. The key is to be methodical and organized, so reassembly on the other end is a breeze. Think of it as a grown-up LEGO set.

1. Disconnect the Modules

Find the connection points between each section. For most couches, this means flipping them over to access bolts. For a modular Koala couch, you just lift and unclick the sofa pieces, no tools needed. It’s absolutely brilliant and makes moving this sectional furniture so much easier.

If you’ve ever wondered why Koala is one of the best online furniture brands in the US, this is a perfect example. Our sofas are cleverly designed for hassle-free assembly, easy moving, and long-term comfort.

2. Label Everything

Once a module is free, grab some masking tape and a permanent marker. Label each of the sofa pieces clearly (e.g., "Left Arm Piece," "Corner Module," "Ottoman"). This eliminates guesswork later on when you have to put the sectional back together.

3. Bag Your Hardware

Unscrew any legs or feet. Place all screws, bolts, and washers for a specific module of the sectional couch into a labelled bag and securely tape it to the underside of that same piece of the couch. Keeping track of loose parts is crucial for easy reassembly.

4. Keep Connectors Safe

If there are separate connector pieces or brackets, like alligator clips, pop them all into a small, clearly labelled hardware box. If you ever lose a Koala part from your sectional, just give our spare parts hotline a call.

Taking that extra step to dismantle as much as possible and create separate pieces makes all the difference when navigating tight spaces with a sectional couch.

4 Simple Steps to Protect Your Couch

Your beautiful sofa is now in separate pieces, making your furniture vulnerable to the bumps and scratches of moving day. It’s time to wrap each module of the section up, like it’s heading off on a long vacation. 

1. Plastic Wrap First

Tightly wrap each sofa module in several layers of plastic furniture wrap. This protects the fabric from dirt, moisture, and snags. For fragile wooden legs, bubble wrap can provide extra cushioning.

2. Blanket for Padding

Next, cover the plastic-wrapped module with a thick moving blanket. These pads are your best cushion against impacts. Use plenty of blankets for each couch section.

3. Secure the Blanket

Use packing tape to secure the blanket, but make sure it only sticks to the plastic wrap underneath, never directly on the upholstery or timber of the couch. This protects the sofa's surface.

4. Protect Your Home

Drape drop sheets over your floors and tape rolled-up towels or pieces of cardboard to sharp door frames and corners along your exit path to prevent damage.

3 Ways to Handle Tricky Moving Spots

Even with the best plan, you can run into a tricky spot. A ridiculously narrow doorway, a tight staircase, or a friend who bails at the last minute can throw a spanner in the works. Here’s how to tackle the most common challenge of getting a sectional couch through tight spaces.

Narrow Doorways

If a couch module won’t go through straight, try the "hook" technique. Tilt the piece on its back and angle it so the back corner goes through the doorway first. Then, pivot or "hook" it around the door frame. Getting a sectional sofa through a small door is a common challenge that requires patience.

Tip: Sometimes, removing the door from its hinges can give you a crucial few extra inches of clearance and extra space.

Tackling Stairs

Getting a couch upstairs is a two-person job, no exceptions. The person at the bottom has the most weight, so they should be the stronger lifter and carry the load while walking backwards slowly. The person at the top guides and controls the angle of the sofa upward. Navigating stairs with a heavy sectional couch requires great care.

Tip: For very heavy pieces of a couch, consider renting stair-climbing rollers or a hand truck. If the job feels too big, hiring a moving company can save you stress and potential injury.

Flying Solo

We don’t recommend moving a sectional alone, but if you absolutely have to manage solo, you’ll need some specialized gear. A dolly is essential for moving sectional pieces on flat ground, and forearm forklift straps can help you leverage your body weight to lift manageable pieces short distances. Moving a whole sectional couch alone is not safe.

Tip: For short distances on carpet or smooth floors, you can place a piece of the couch on a moving blanket and simply drag it.

How to Lift and Load Like a Pro

With everything prepped, it’s time for the main event. Moving and handling heavy furniture pieces requires teamwork, good technique, and a healthy dose of common sense. Rushing this stage is how injuries happen, so take your time, communicate with your moving partner, and have a clear plan for getting from Point A to Point B.

Don't be a statistic when moving heavy things, lift smart!

1. Slide, Don't Lift

Whenever possible, use furniture sliders to glide the modules across the floor to the exit. This saves a massive amount of energy and protects your spine from unnecessary strain before the real lifting begins. Furniture sliders work best on flat surfaces like hardwood or tile.

2. Lift Like a Pro

When it’s time to lift, position yourself and the second person at each end of the module. Loop your furniture straps underneath, get a firm grip, and communicate clearly ("Lifting on three... one, two, THREE!"). Bend at your knees, keep your back straight, and let your legs do the work.

3. Load the Truck

Plan your truck or pickup load. The largest, heaviest modules should go in first, placed against the front wall. Distribute the weight as evenly as possible from side to side to ensure a stable ride.

4. Secure for Transit

Use ratchet straps to hold everything firmly in place. The goal is to prevent shifting during transit, not to squash your sofa into a pancake. Tighten them until they’re taut, but don't overtighten.

5. Stay Safe

This is hard work that'll make you thirsty. Make sure you stay hydrated, wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and wear some gloves for better grip and to avoid splinters. Take regular breaks.

What's Your Next Big Move?

And there you have it. You’ve measured, dismantled, wrapped, and lifted your sectional couch like a seasoned pro. Give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy a well-deserved beverage on your perfectly placed sofa in its new room. 

Moving big furniture is all about preparation and patience, and now you’re armed with all the knowledge you need for a stress-free move of your couch.

If all that hard work has you thinking about an upgrade, we can help. Koala’s modular sofas are designed for real life, which means easy moves, easy cleaning, and easy comfort. 

With fast delivery, no-tool assembly, a 120-day trial, and over 50,000 five-star reviews, finding your perfect sectional sofa is a walk in the park. Tag us in your moving day pics with #KoalaLife! We love seeing our sectional couch family grow.