Moving a recliner may seem easy, but it can get complicated if you don’t plan it well. Recliners are bulky furniture that are awkward to grip because of their design. In addition, electric recliners also contain a number of delicate parts that require a careful approach. Whether you’re rearranging your living room or moving a recliner to a new house, you want the process to be smooth, safe, and efficient. This blog will walk you through everything you need to know about how to move a recliner, including the required tools, the steps to take, some common pitfalls to avoid, and expert-backed tips for getting the job done right, even if you’re planning on doing it alone.
Understanding the Type of Recliner You’re Moving
Different types of recliners have different mechanisms, and that affects how you move them. Understanding the type and the specs of the recliner makes it easier to move it.
- Manual recliners: These recliners use a pull lever or body pressure to recline. They’re often lighter and simpler to move.
- Power recliners (electric or battery-operated): Power recliners rely on electric motors. They’re usually heavier and have cords or batteries.
- Rocker or glider recliners: They have built-in parts that move, which can make them more fragile during transport.
- Sectional recliners: They’re part of a larger couch system with built-in recliner seats, and they often require partial disassembly.
Knowing the type of recliner you have helps you prepare for the move. You’ll know whether you need to disconnect power parts, if the back can come off, or if the recliner can be separated from a larger unit.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need to Move a Recliner
Using the correct tools makes a great difference when you’re moving a recliner chair. Having the right tools will save you time, prevent damage, and reduce physical strain and potential injury. These tools play an important role when moving a heavy recliner or navigating through tight spaces or narrow doorways.
Furniture Sliders or Gliders
Sliders and gliders attach to the bottom of the recliner and make it easier to slide across floors and carpets. They’re helpful when you need to shift the recliner a little or get it into the right spot before lifting it. Felt sliders protect hardwood floors, and plastic ones are suitable for carpets.
Moving Blankets or Pads
Blankets cushion the recliner and prevent damage to both the furniture and your walls and door frames. Wrap the recliner tightly with blankets and secure them with straps for the best results.
Tie-Down Straps and Bungee Cords
Once the recliner is wrapped, straps and cords help keep everything in place. They’re also useful for preventing the recliner from shifting when loading it into a truck.
Screwdrivers and Allen Wrenches
Most recliners have bolts holding the backrest or the footrest in place. A screwdriver or an Allen wrench lets you take the furniture apart piece by piece for easier handling.
Measuring Tape
This one’s easy to overlook. But tape is essential for measuring doorways, staircases, and hallways before moving bulky furniture. It helps avoid last-minute surprises and potential damage to the house and the furniture.
Moving Dolly
A strong dolly makes moving a recliner much easier. It can take the full weight of the recliner off your hands. It’s also a back-saver and makes the move much smoother, especially in long hallways or up ramps.
Ziplock Bags for Screws and Small Parts
Keeping all the hardware parts and screws in ziplock bags makes it possible to reassemble your furniture effectively without missing anything essential. For easier access, make sure to label the bags holding the parts and the screws.
How to Move Your Recliner: A Step-by-Step Guide
Moving a recliner across a house or taking it to a truck? Making a detailed plan ahead of time helps you stay on track, be safe, and prevent damage to the recliner.
1. Clear the Path
Before you start moving your recliner, make sure to have a clear path to avoid damaging it and other belongings. Move side tables, rugs, lamps, and anything else that could get in the way. Always check the floor. A toy, a slipper, or a cable can trip you up when you’re carrying heavy furniture.
2. Disassemble the Recliner
You can take apart most recliners to make them easier to move. If you see any bolts in the backrest, start by taking them out and lifting the backrest straight up from the locking brackets. If the footrest comes off, unscrew it gently. For power recliners, always unplug the power cord and remove the battery pack before you begin. Keep all bolts and screws in a ziplock bag for easier reassembly later.
3. Wrap and Protect the Recliner
After disassembling the recliner, wrapping each part in a moving blanket makes it easy to move the recliner. Use straps or bungee cords to hold the blankets in place to prevent movement while you’re carrying the recliner or during the drive. Add extra padding around the armrests and corners since they’re the most prone to damage. If your recliner is made of leather or wood, this step helps protect it from scratches and dents.
4. Use the Right Moving Techniques
To avoid accidents while lifting, use your legs, not your back. Keep your spine straight and hold the recliner close to your body. Don’t twist or turn quickly while carrying the recliner. If it’s still too heavy, use a dolly. Keep the recliner upright, strap it, and tilt the dolly back. Always communicate clearly with anyone who’s helping you.
5. Navigate Tight Spaces
Measure the recliner and doorways before you try to push it through. If the space is too tight, tilt the recliner at an angle or pivot it vertically. Take off the door hinges if needed. Removing the backrest gives you extra clearance. If you’re going up or down any stairs, move slowly and always have one person on each end of the recliner.
Special Tips for Moving Power Recliners
- Unplug and secure electrical cords: Always start by unplugging the recliner from the wall. Don’t yank the cord; instead, pull gently at the plug itself to avoid damage.
- Remove any battery packs: Some power recliners have detachable battery packs, usually located under the base or behind a panel. Check your manual or inspect the recliner to see if a battery pack is present.
- Protect motorized parts during the move: The motor sits at the base and powers the reclining mechanism. It’s not designed to take impact or to be tilted at extreme angles.
Reassembling Your Recliner at a New Spot
Once the recliner is in a new place, you’ll need to assemble it and to make sure everything still works as it should. Taking a few extra minutes now prevents bigger issues later.
- Reattach parts in reverse order: Start with the base and work your way up, making sure every piece clicks or screws into place as it originally did.
- Check for damage before the final step: Before tightening the last screws or snapping parts back into place, inspect the frame, the cushions, and the connectors. Look for anything bent, loose, or cracked.
- If it’s an electric recliner, plug it in and test it: Once reassembled, plug the recliner in and check the functionality, such as recline, lift, and any USB ports, to confirm everything works. If it doesn’t, double-check that all cables are connected.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common missteps that can turn moving a recliner into a problem.
- Not measuring doorways: If the recliner won’t fit through, you might damage the frame or the walls. Always measure first to prevent this issue and to save time.
- Forgetting to label screws and parts: If you disassemble the recliner and don’t indicate where each screw came from, reassembly can be frustrating. A few minutes of labeling saves you from trial and error later.
- Lifting improperly: Grabbing the arms or the cushions can damage the chair and hurt your back. Always lift from the base using your legs, not your back, to carry the weight.
- Moving alone when help is needed: Even with sliders or a dolly, some recliners are too heavy or awkward for one person. If your recliner feels unstable or too heavy, ask for assistance.
Need Help Moving Your Recliner?
You can move a recliner yourself by following the tips above, but if you want to avoid heavy lifting or complications, we’re here to help. Serenity Moving Services handles everything from simple recliners to motorized sectionals. We take care of disassembly, wrapping, moving, and reassembly so you don’t break a sweat. Want help with your move? Contact us today for a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Use a moving dolly with straps and go slowly. If possible, get someone to help spot and guide you.
Yes, especially if it’s a lightweight model. However, it’s safer to have help with heavier models. Use sliders or a dolly and follow safe lifting techniques to avoid injuring yourself or damaging your recliner and other belongings.
Place sliders or furniture pads under the recliner to protect your hardwood floors. Avoid dragging the chair directly across the floor without a slider to avoid any damage.
Moving a recliner through doorways can be tricky. If the recliner doesn’t fit through a door, disassemble the backrest or the footrest, rotate the chair diagonally, or temporarily remove the door hinges for extra space. Measure both the recliner and the doorway in advance.
Many recliners can be disassembled, but not all. Check your recliner’s manual or inspect the back for levers or screws.
Depending on the dimensions of the recliner and the doorway, one of the following options may work: angle the recliner diagonally, tilt it forward or on its side, or turn it on its end. In some models, a lever located in the back allows you to remove the top part of the recliner, which makes it lighter and easier to fit through narrow doors.
It’s safe to move a power recliner as long as you unplug the motor, remove the batteries, and protect sensitive components during the move.
