Moving bulky furniture is an art. You need to know how the piece must be disassembled, moved, and reassembled again. The professionals make it look smooth and easy as they have mastered the required expertise of dismantling and assembling. The snooker table, wardrobe, bed, and of course, our good old cushy recliners are in this category. Here we will focus on moving the recliner, the right way to deconstruct, pack, and lastly, re-join the parts meticulously.
The most widely used method for moving a recliner is first removing its back. A well-explained, detailed text is convenient for a few tedious tasks. It also makes it easy to do a DIY task if your budget does not permit you to hire professionals. Remember that different recliners have different sets of thumbscrews, clips, and locking clasps. Identifying the order and process of unlocking and unscrewing is difficult if procedures are followed well.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get through this technical task. We plan to break down each step for better understanding:
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Before beginning to dismantle your recliner, the first task is to take proper measurements. With this first step, you will better understand how to move the recliner without damage from your current house to the right spot in your new home. You can also decide whether or not the size will be right, especially if you are moving to a smaller house.
Compare the measurement of your doors with the recliners to check if the recliner can pass through them smoothly. Wrong sizes can create a last-minute stall in the move.
The best thing to do first when moving the recliner is to detach its back. This will make it easier for you to move and protect the recliner from damage. Not all recliners have the same backs, and they vary in style, size, and installation. Let’s break down how to work with different recliners with different backs.
Find out which kind of back your recliner has– for the most common types of backs.
Bolted on Back: Few recliners have this kind of back function. The backs are secured with bolts in the bolted backs kind of system. They are attached to the posts of the seats to hold the weight. You need to unbolt and lift the panel. You need to unbolt the back after lifting the board.
Locking Levers: In this system, metal posts are connected to the seat on each backside. The poles slide into the brackets of the recliner and are well secured. It would help if you flipped the chair to lock the back in the required position.
Locking Tab or Catch: Tabs hold the back into place securely. You can use a screwdriver to remove the tabs, though some can even remove them with their hands. On the other hand, Catches automatically snap or lock themselves when you slide the back of the recliner. This technique is mainly used in Lazy Boy recliners.
Let’s go through this procedure step by step:
Step 1: To work upon the recliner, place the recliner in an open space so you can easily maneuver it.
Step 2: Roll the recliner onto its front to give you more accessibility for removing the back.
Step 3: After you roll out the recliner, locate the loop and hook tape. Peel the tape attached to the leather/fabric.
Step 4: Remove the leather/ fabric from the chair carefully.
Step 5: Keep folding and removing the leather/fabric until you see the recliner’s mechanism.
Step 6: Once you can visually locate the mechanism, start searching the metal tabs. Or else look for thumbscrews near the lowest point close to the recliner’s arm.
Step 7: Keep a flat-headed screwdriver handy to remove screws of the mechanism. Keep them safe in a box, as they will be required while putting the chair together.
Step 8: Hold the metal locking tabs and firmly press them towards you. Continue to gradually pull the recliner’s bottom upwards and unlock the mechanism.
Step 9: Safely pull the back straight in an upward direction once the mechanism is unlocked.
Step 10: Move the brackets sideways if removing the back from the brackets seems complicated. Your back will slowly come out due to friction.
Ensure that all the screws and other small equipment come out of the recliner while dismantling. Losing even the smallest piece will be disastrous when you are reassembling. Label them all with descriptions. This will be extremely helpful while assembling the chair back again.
After dismantling the chair, let us now identify how to move it. The key to moving a recliner successfully is proper planning. It is essential to look for a creative way to contain the general bulkiness of the chair while trying your best to prevent damages to your walls and floors when moving the chair. Below is a guide to safely move your recliner:
Wrap the recliner well with plastic sheet covers and pack it with industrial tape. Keep the base upright and straight when packing. This will be helpful to carry and transport without any hassle and breakage.
Also Read: How to Use Moving Blanket
It is essential to mark the pathway as you will be moving the bulkiest piece of furniture. It helps you and your team mentally to form a path and keep the way clean and clutter-free.
Arrange for a team of movers or friends to shift the recliner onto the truck. You should arrange for a cart dolly to simplify the move as this is very bulky. One person can incline the back of the chair, and the other person can lift and hoist the front. Remember to place the back of the chair carefully sealed and packed alongside. You should attach the packet of all the screws and other components to the back.
Keep the recliner base safe by tying or clasping it to the dolly/two-wheeler. It should carefully be secured in the corner of the loading truck with minimum friction or movement. Any fall with a jerk will be very harmful.
Once the loading truck reaches your new destination, it is time to unload the recliner from the truck. You will need extra hands and a moving dolly too. Be as prudent and meticulous while un-loading as you had been while loading the chair in the truck. It is advisable not to let the chair be amongst your other stuff. Try and put it at its decided spot from the very beginning.
Also Read: How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Moving Truck?
Now that you have placed the chair’s base, the back at the desired place, it is time to fix it together. Open the bag with the components you had packed and identify where each packets of screws, tabs, and clips belong. Tack the steps you had taken while disassembling the chair and repeat them in reverse order. Ask for professional help if needed, as for most people, it is the most desired piece of their furniture.
How do you move a recliner with a hand truck?
Slide a hand truck under the back of the chair. One person should tilt back the recliner while the other person lifts the front of the chair. Wheel the chair back to the edge of the stairs. Carefully lift the chair using the hand truck while your helper pushes from the front.
How do you transport a chair?
Bubble wrap the back of the recliner and secure it well with tapes. Also, attach a labeled bag with all the screws and other components to the back. It will be beneficial while assembling it at your new destination. Now, wrap the chair’s base well with a thick plastic sheet or bubble wrap. Make sure you wrap the legs and wheels too. You can also use a mover’s blanket to cover the arms of the chair and secure them with tape.
Also Read: How to Pack a Car for Move
Conclusion
Now that you know how to deconstruct and reassemble a soft recliner, you can avoid hiring a professional mover. Enjoy this comfortable piece of furniture in your new home!
Also Read: How to Move a Piano Up Stairs or Down
Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
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