If you have an oversized recliner that needs to be moved, then you may have difficulty getting the chair out of your home without some trouble. This can make things a bit challenging and frustrating on moving day. If you want to make things easier on yourself, then make sure you prepare to move the chair. The information below can help you with this.

Remove The Back

If your recliner has a large back that cannot fit through the doorway of your home or through the door of your living room, then you can and should remove the back of the chair. Not only will this make it easier to move, but the chair will be lighter as well. Recliners typically weigh about 100 pounds, and this may be heavy for you if you are moving furniture on your own.

Start by moving the chair into a spacious area where you have room to work. Flip the chair over so the front is lying on the floor. Many recliners will have velcro along the bottom edge that keeps the back fabric flap secured. Gently pull on the fabric to release it from the velcro. You will see the metal parts and pieces across the back of the recliner at this time. 

Look for metal bars across the back of the chair that attach to the arms. Screws or clips will typically secure the back frame to the arm frame. Look for these attachments and use a screwdriver to release the screws or to pry free the clips. Set the hardware aside. Use your hands to pull the recliner back up and back from the chair. 

Purchase Or Rent A Cart

Once you have the back removed from the recliner, you may be able to pick up and move the bottom part of the chair fairly easily. If the chair is still too heavy for you with the back removed, then you may need to place the chair on a moving cart to wheel it out of your home. Before you look for the cart, inspect the bottom of the chair and look for the wooden base. The base will typically be a single pedestal in the middle of the recliner or two separate wooden risers that sit on the right and left sides of the chair. The base will be the part of the chair that will need to rest on the cart, so measure the width and length of the pedestal or the risers.

Go to your local moving supply store and pick out a cart that matches the dimensions of the chair base. A platform dolly or moving cart with a solid base will work well. You can purchase these carts with and without handles. Find one without a handle, or it may get in the way, especially if the chair is quite wide.

Cover The Chair

Once you have the back of the chair and the base ready to move, you should cover both pieces of the chair. This is a good idea to keep the chair from getting wet if it happens to rain on moving day. Upholstered furniture will take some time to dry out, and the cushioning inside the chair can form mildew if it remains wet for some time. Also, the hardware and the mechanisms in the chair are made from steel, and the steel can form corrosion. The rust can make it difficult to recline the chair properly. 

You can purchase plastic moving bags, polyethylene chair covers, or moving blankets. Moving blankets are especially helpful when it comes to cushioning items that are set close to one another in the moving truck or van. Look for blankets that are quilted, tightly woven, and thick with padding for the best overall protection. 

If you're prefer to have professional help with moving your heavy furniture, contact a company like Bekins Van Lines Inc.

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