On behalf of the Moving team, we would like to help you if your sofa does not fit through the door. This problem occurs more often than you think. Perhaps you have bought a new sofa that is too big, or you notice during the move that your corner sofa really does not fit through narrow stairs or narrow hallways. In this article you will discover how you can easily get your sofa inside.
Bank doesn't fit through door
We explain how to measure, dismantle more intelligently, and why a moving elevator sometimes the easiest solution. You can also read how to protect your back when lifting, and what to do if a stairwell just fits. We provide tips, experiences and anecdotes, so that you can enjoy your purchase without worries.
Why doesn't my sofa fit through the door?
You expect your sofa to just go inside, but sometimes that doesn’t happen. Furniture like large sofas or a spacious corner sofa need more space than you think. If your sofa doesn’t fit through the door, it’s usually because of its size and where it’s going to be placed. Narrow hallways, a tight doorway, and small bends can be obstacles.
Bank through the door can be complicated
Some people think that only height or width matters. However, the turning circle plays an equally important role in manoeuvring. A sofa may not fit straight ahead, but it will go diagonally through a doorway. Also pay attention to the extra space you need if there is a threshold, door frame or radiator in the way. Large sofas do not always have one single problem. Often it is a combination of several factors.
Corner sofa and a single problem
Example: Jan and Lisa wanted to have their new sofa in the living room. They noticed during delivery that the corner sofa would not fit through the door, not even when they tilted the armrest slightly. Their stairwell was also much too narrow. It seemed impossible to get the sofa to the top floor. They thought for a moment that they would just have to sell the sofa, but eventually chose a different route via a window. You want to move the sofa safely. This can be quite a job, especially in combination with all the stuff.
Measuring is knowing: avoid surprises
We advise you to measure everything well before you buy a sofa or start a move. Measuring is knowing. You will save yourself stress and possibly even damage to your furniture, walls or door frame. With a few tips you will get there.
Dimensions of the bench
Use a tape measure and note the height, width and depth of the furniture. Don't forget to include cushions, armrests or other loose parts. The difference between a chair and a sofa with sturdy armrests can require an extra ten centimetres.
Doorway and stairwell
Check that the doorway will fit the sofa. Measure the height and width of each doorway that the sofa will need to go through, and consider the turning you will need to make in narrow hallways. Also estimate the fit of your stairwell, as many people forget the extra space you need when turning on the stairs.
Table with all dimensions
Make a handy overview by writing down a small diagram on paper. This way you can see at a glance whether you can easily get the sofa inside, or whether you might need to take a different approach.
| Part | Width (cm) | Height (cm) | Depth (cm) | |——————-|————-:|————:|————:| | Bench | … | … | … | | Doorway | … | … | – | | Stairwell | … | … | – | | Hallway width | … | – | – |
Please note…
Please note that some homes have awkward corners. It may be smarter to book a moving lift right away so you don't get any surprises.
Disassemble or adjust bank
Sometimes you find that your sofa doesn't fit through the entrance, but with a little adjustment it does. This is especially true if you try to push the sofa through the door and just miss those few inches.
Loosen the legs of the sofa: the sofa now fits through it
See if you can remove the legs. This can save about 10 to 15 cm of space. This will make it easier to get your sofa through narrow hallways or narrow stairs. Make sure you keep the bolts and screws so you can reassemble them later.
Remove armrests and cushions for transport
Many sofas have separate parts. If you detach the backrest, the sofa will become narrower in some cases. Think of a corner sofa that consists of two or three separate segments. Taking it apart is often easy with the right tools.
Adjust and re-assemble immediately
Blankets protect the fabric when you put the sofa on its side. This way you prevent damage. Disassembling is not difficult, but proceed with caution, especially with luxury furniture.
Bank inside through a window or balcony
If the sofa does not fit through the doorway, you can choose another route. Often large sofas do appear to fit through a window or balcony.
Window to the inside
Sometimes it helps to remove a window from its frame, so that you have a larger opening. Be careful about safety, because removing glass is not without risk. We advise you to call in a professional if you are not sure what you are doing.
Through a window or balcony and elevators
You can have the sofa hoisted through a window. A moving lift is an ideal solution. The piece of furniture is carefully lifted to the right floor. This prevents damage to stairs or walls and maintains flexibility, especially with narrow stairs.
Sliding door
Sometimes a sliding door is just a little narrower than expected. However, it can still be wider than a standard door. First, carefully measure the window or the door. Measuring is knowing, here too.
Using a moving lift: fast and efficient
A moving lift is used if you can't just get your sofa through the door, or if you live on a high floor. We offer the option of using a moving lift with our services. This lift moves furniture, such as a corner sofa or 3-seater, safely and quickly via the outside of the building.
Advantages
-
- You don't have to struggle with narrow hallways and narrow stairs.
- The bench is lifted in one smooth movement.
- Our moving lift is an efficient way to get large sofas, tables or other items inside.
How does it work?
We place the lift outside, usually next to a window or balcony. The sofa goes on the platform and we make sure it goes up or down step by step. This way you avoid stressful situations in the stairwell.
Free quote
Want to know if our moving lifts are something for you? Feel free to request a free quote. We offer this service from multiple locations in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. Our experienced team has years of experience and is ready for last-minute jobs. We work together with partners throughout the Netherlands, so that we can help quickly everywhere.
Case study: a 3-seater through a narrow stairwell
Let's give a quick example. At the De Vries family, a new sofa had to go in through a window, because the stairwell was too narrow. They had measured the sofa and saw that the hallway was too narrow. Still, they hoped that it would just fit. However, during delivery it turned out that the sofa really couldn't fit through the entrance.
They immediately called in our services. We came with our furniture lift and lifted the 3-seater into the living room via the balcony. This process only took 15 minutes. The De Vries family was relieved. They had no scratches on the wall, and their large sofa was in the place where it had to be placed within an hour.
Lifting and your back: prevent injuries
When moving or when your sofa is brought in through a window, you quickly run the risk of lifting too much. Protect your body and make sure you have enough helping hands. Adjust your technique to prevent back pain:
1. Use your legs
Bend your knees. Never lift from your back. This prevents nasty injuries. A back injury is one of the most annoying injuries one can have. Especially at a later age.
2. Don't make it too heavy
Divide your sofa into separate parts and never try to move a complete corner sofa on your own. A piece of furniture can be heavy and as you have read before, you do not want to get injured.
3. Use resources
Lifts and blankets make moving lighter and safer. A moving van with a tail lift also offers possibilities, especially if you want to transport multiple items at once.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does loosening the legs of the sofa really help?
Yes, sometimes you take about six inches off the height. That can be just enough to fit through a doorway.
2. My sliding door is narrower than I thought. What now?
You could use a moving lift. First check carefully whether the sofa fits with the sliding door open. If that doesn't work? Then a lift is fast and efficient.
3. Can I also remove a window myself for the furniture?
Yes, you can, but we recommend that you ask someone who has experience. Removing glass is precision work and not without danger.
4. Do you also work in Venlo, Germany and Belgium?
Sure. We have multiple locations and partners throughout the Netherlands. We have a lot of expertise and drive by freight to various locations.
5. How quickly can you arrange a moving lift?
We often offer last-minute solutions. If you need help quickly, you can always call for the options. We guarantee reliability and efficiency, even at short notice.
Seek professional help
Moving is rarely stress-free, especially when a sofa won’t fit through a door. Luckily, you don’t have to struggle through tight hallways or a stairwell that the sofa will never fit through. With the right strategy, any piece of furniture can be safely moved in. Sometimes unscrewing the legs helps, sometimes a window is the best option, and often a moving lift makes life a lot easier.
Moving is happy to help you
Our Moving team is ready to help you. We have years of experience, we can use a moving lift, and we know all kinds of ways to get your sofa through the door. Request a free quote now. We ensure a fast and efficient process, so that your purchase will soon be safely in your living room. Let us know what you need, and we will be happy to discuss the possibilities. We are happy to help you with our services. Of course, completely free and without obligation.
Do you have any other questions? Feel free to reach out or share your story in the comments. We'd love to hear how we can help you!
