Step-by-Step Guide on How to Move a Heavy Desk

December 12, 2019 / Posted in How-to
Michael Vaughan

Moving through the Bay Area, Michael works as a freelance writer in the moving and transportation industry.

You have gone through the logistics of the moving process so many times that you stopped counting. You sorted out everything and packed almost all of your belongings, but you’re still grappling with the question of how to move a heavy desk that has been in your possession for so long. You don’t want to part with this piece of furniture that has a certain sentimental value to you, but moving it to your new home is truly a daunting task.

professional movers packing boxes
Relocating a bulky desk to your new home could be demanding.

If you’re planning to pack everything on your own, it can be challenging indeed, but just because you have never packed a large desk before, it does not mean you will fail.  When it comes to packing, getting everything organized for a move requires some skills. If you do it step-by-step, you will have every piece of furniture secured, and there won’t be any consequences. It won’t do any harm checking some of the best tips for keeping this massive desk safe.

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When Relocating an Office, Consider Workspace Usage

When relocating a heavy desk, it’s essential to consider how often such workspaces are actually used. A study by XY Sense found that nearly 36% of desks remain unoccupied, highlighting an oversupply in office setups. Many desks, like the one you may be moving, likely spend much of their time unused.

In fact, only 14% of desks are occupied for five or more hours a day.

With workspaces evolving, it’s worth evaluating whether moving every large piece of furniture is necessary or if downsizing to a more flexible setup is a better option.

Individual workstations account for 80% of total floor space

How Bad Do You Need to Pack and Move That Heavy Desk?

Before you get hooked up with the idea of packing, stop for a minute and ask yourself whether you need to move that piece of furniture at all to your new place. Make an assessment and check if it will be worth the moving costs, the time required for the shipping process, and all the lifting and carrying you have to do. You can also reach out to Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving and we can give you a free estimate before you make a final decision.

Declutter and Simplify Your Move

Before cross-country moving, take the opportunity to declutter and reassess what you truly need in a new home or office space. Since many desks and office items often go underused, relocating furniture that no longer serves a purpose can add unnecessary work. Decluttering helps streamline your workspace, allowing for a more efficient and organized environment. Consider donating, recycling outdated or underused furniture, or organizing a garage sale. Lightening your load not only makes the move easier but also sets the stage for a fresh, clutter-free start in a new location.

In the case of large items, the decision of whether to load and move an item or leave it behind remains the most important one. This might not be the most reasonable decision, but your emotions have clouded your judgment, and you like the idea of having that grandma’s old writing table in your new home. Have a look at some of the factors you should take into account before we go into the moving tips:

  • Functional value– is it comfortable and functional?
  • Current condition– is it in good shape?
  • Aesthetic value– will its style complement with new furniture in your place?
  • The weight – how many people are required to lift it?
  • Monetary value– can its market price justify the costs of relocating it to your new home?
wooden table and white chairs
If you like your large table a lot, make a careful plan for handling it

How to Move Heavy Objects All by Yourself?

Naturally, the easiest way to have that bulky object moved is to invest in long-distance moving services and consider professional packing services for the job. But if you decide that you want to remove it in time and without expert help, you should search for furniture sliders. Once you have sliders placed underneath each leg of the object, you can start pushing slowly to minimize any damage in the room.

As much as you are enthusiastic about doing everything on your own, you still need a few extra hands to help you out especially when it comes to going down the stairs. This will be the perfect moment to call those best friends. If you are lucky enough, they won’t turn you down and you will have that vintage piece you like a lot moved with ease.

While it might be tempting to move a heavy desk on your own, it can quickly become a challenging task. In the end, the safest and easiest option is to hire professional cross-country movers who are experienced in handling such tasks.

a wide range of tools
Search for adequate equipment to move the large table.

How to Move the Object in 7 Steps

The decision is final – you will do the heavy lifting on your own. In that case, follow these simple tips with a few easy hacks which can make this task much more manageable. Also, with the tips, you’ll avoid possible floor damage and other large objects.

Step 1 -  Check If There Are Items in the Drawers

You could decide just to leave all the things in the drawers, lock them up, and continue with the lifting. Even if you leave everything inside, make sure you take out the fragile items. It would be a real mess having delicate things falling on the ground in the middle of the process.

Step 2 - Use Plastic Containers, Dolly and Other Supplies

Before you get down to the packing process, check if you have the necessary equipment. Get hold of plastic containers, a dolly, sturdy boxes, and other tools that will help you lift the bulky piece of furniture much faster. If you are relocating a piece from the office, remove all the paperwork and pack electronics separately.

Step 3 - Wrap Detached Elements

Does your table have elements made of glass or some other delicate material? If so, make sure you wrap those in protective packing paper and leave them aside. If your item is vintage, use bubble wrap to protect its sides – this will save it from being damaged. This will save it from being damaged. If you don’t have adequate material, search for some old clothes or blankets instead.

Step 4 - Empty the Drawers, and Pack Them as Well

If you decided not to transport the object with additional things in it, make sure to take the drawers out slowly and put them aside. Remember to leave them in one spot, so you know where to find them once the whole object is loaded into a truck. They also have to be wrapped with protective paper and covered with some blankets to prevent the dust fall on it. You can also use soft packing paper as an initial layer.

Step 5 - Remove Other Furniture from the Room

If you have a big sofa and a couch in your living room, perhaps you would like to take those out before you start disassembling the escritoire. Anything that stands between the front door and the desk should be removed.

Step 6 - How to Move a Heavy Desk with Your Friends’ Help

One of the most important steps is to get the piece of furniture out of your home. This is the perfect moment for friends to jump in. Going down the stairs can be a bit problematic if you are carrying the bulky load all by yourself. Lift it slowly and make sure you have someone to assist you in case the situation gets out of control.

Step 7 - Load the Desk into the Moving Van

It seems you are almost there. This is the final bit of the process, but it has to go well! If the moving truck is outside waiting, use the motorized loading ramp or at least the standard one. In case any of these are not available, someone should help you with the lifting.

How to Move a Heavy Desk with the Help of a Moving and Car Shipping Company?

The situation has gone out of control and you have damaged several things in your room. There is no time to search for bubble wrap, and you forgot to purchase plastic relocation boxes.

Don’t stress out! If you’re struggling with the packing process and you don’t have the strength and energy to lower the vintage piece down the stairs, there is a way! It’s easier to reach out to long-distance movers than to destroy pieces of furniture and floor in your home – let someone else tackle the packing process for you.

professional movers carrying stuff
Better let someone else tackle the packing process for you and avoid mishaps

Don’t Forget to Carry Out Each Step Before the Movers Arrive

It depends on how much you want to do before the movers come in. You can free up space in the rooms and cover your carpets with some old blankets. There will be many people going up and down, so you better protect the floors. You can also leave that part to professional movers because hiring a long-distance moving company has many advantages. In most cases, they will be able to carry out the process from the beginning until the end without damaging the floor or any large thing in your place.

The Best Way to Move a Heavy Desk

While it may be tempting to take on the challenge of moving a heavy desk yourself, the risks of injury or damage can outweigh the benefits. Even with the help of friends, navigating narrow hallways or stairs can make the task difficult and time-consuming. Hiring professional movers ensures your desk and other belongings are handled safely and efficiently.

Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving offers expert moving services to take the stress out of your relocation. Whether it’s handling heavy furniture or providing reliable packing services, we can make your move smooth and hassle-free. Contact us today for a quote and let us take care of the heavy lifting!

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