How to Move Furniture Up the Stairs

If you're storing furniture on the second floor, you'll need to navigate the ultimate moving challenge: getting bulky pieces of furniture up the stairs. At StaxUP Storage – Alpine Tavern, we've helped with enough move-ins and -outs to understand the challenges of moving furniture. Here's your complete guide to conquering those stairs with your furniture intact.

Before You Start: Essential Planning

Measure Everything

Before attempting to move furniture up stairs, grab your measuring tape and note down:

• Furniture dimensions: Length, width, height, and diagonal measurements
• Stairway measurements: Width, height clearance, turn radius at landings
• Doorway dimensions: Both at the bottom and top of the stairs

Create a Moving Strategy

Map out your route and identify potential problem areas. Sometimes the most direct path isn't the easiest one. If you’re planning to store your furniture with StaxUP Storage, now is a good time to reach out to our team – they’ll know the best way through the facility so you can move furniture up the stairs to your unit quickly, safely, and easily.

Essential Tools and Equipment

Having the right moving supplies can make the difference between a successful move and a damaged piece of furniture. When moving furniture up stairs, you’ll want to bring:

• Moving straps or rope: Secure furniture and create better grip points
• Furniture sliders: Reduce friction on flat surfaces before and after stairs
• Moving blankets: Protect furniture from scrapes and dings
• Dolly or hand truck: Essential for heavy items (though limited use on stairs)
• Screwdriver set: For disassembling furniture

Step-by-Step Moving Techniques

1. Disassemble When Possible

Remove legs from tables, take apart bed frames, and separate modular furniture. Take photos of the pieces disassembled and placed next to each other, and – if possible – label each piece with its correct position and a number. By doing this, a king-sized bed may not be so impossible to get up the stairs!

2. Use Moving Straps Effectively

Wrap straps around the furniture to create better carrying handles and distribute weight more evenly across your body.

3. The Two-Person Carry Method

For most furniture pieces, you'll need at least two people: one at the bottom, to carry the weight and guide the piece, and a person at the top to help lift and navigate around corners. Communication is key! Establish clear signals for “stop,” “lift,” and “turn.”

4. The Pivot Technique

For L-shaped furniture like sofas:

• Start with the piece vertical
• "Pivot" or rotate it as you navigate the turn at the landing

This technique often works for moving furniture up stairs when straight carrying fails.

Specific Furniture Types

Mattresses and Box Springs

• Carry mattresses vertically when possible
• Use mattress bags to protect from dirt and damage
• Box springs can often be more challenging due to their rigid frame

Sofas and Sectionals

• Remove cushions and legs if possible
• Try the "pivot method" at corners
• Rotate the sofa vertically to fit it through smaller doorways

Dressers and Heavy Furniture

• Remove drawers to reduce weight
• Use a dolly to get to the base of the stairs
• Consider hiring professionals for extremely heavy pieces

Safety First: What Not to Do

• Never move furniture alone: Even small furniture can become dangerous on stairs
• Don't rush: Take breaks and move slowly
• Avoid lifting with your back: Use your legs and core muscles
• Don't ignore pain: Stop if you feel strain or discomfort

When to Consider Professional Help

Some situations call for professional movers:

• Furniture worth more than the cost of professional moving
• Extremely heavy items (over 100 pounds)
• Valuable antiques or delicate pieces
• When you lack sufficient help or experience

The Ground Floor Advantage

While moving furniture upstairs is certainly possible with the right approach, there's something to be said for ground-floor convenience. At StaxUP Storage – Alpine Tavern, our ground-floor storage units eliminate the stair challenge entirely – no stairs, no hassle, no risk of damage from difficult maneuvers.

For those who don't mind the extra effort, our upstairs units often provide excellent value and are perfect for lighter items or when you're comfortable with the moving process.

Moving furniture up stairs doesn't have to be a nightmare. With proper planning, the right tools, and careful execution, you can get your belongings safely to their destination. And remember, if you're looking for storage solutions in San Diego's East County, StaxUP Storage - Alpine Tavern offers units on the ground floor and upstairs to match your comfort level and moving capabilities.

Ready to store without the stair struggle? Contact StaxUP Storage – Alpine Tavern today to learn more about our convenient storage options and see how we can help you make your move-in easy.