BBB A+ Rating Registered & Insured • $2 Million General Liability
623-374-5696
Learning Center · Moving Day

How Do You Get a Sofa Through a Door?

Every mover has faced a couch that seems one inch too big for the doorway. Almost always, it fits -- it just takes the right angle.

How Do You Get a Sofa Through a Door?
BBB A+ RatingVisit our BBB profile →
Established 2002
Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American ExpressPlus Cash

Measure First, Move Second

Before anyone lifts anything, measure the doorway (width and height) and the sofa (width, depth and diagonal). Also check hallway turns and stairwell landings along the path -- a sofa that clears the front door can still get stuck at a tight hallway corner.

Try These Angles in Order

Tilt It VerticallyStanding the sofa on one arm and tilting it through the doorway diagonally is the first thing to try -- it clears more height than carrying it flat.
Rotate Through at an AngleLeading with one end at roughly a 45-degree angle to the doorway, rather than straight on, often finds clearance a straight approach can't.
Remove the LegsMost sofa legs unscrew in seconds and can shave off just enough height or depth to make the difference.
Take the Door Off Its HingesA standard interior door adds a couple of inches of frame -- pulling the hinge pins and lifting the door away can be the difference-maker on a close call.

When It's Genuinely Too Big

Occasionally a piece truly won't fit through any door -- especially in older homes with narrower doorways. In those cases, options include removing a window temporarily, disassembling the sofa if it's built to come apart (some sectionals and modular pieces are designed for this), or, in rare cases, hiring a crane or hoist service for upper-floor moves.

Protect the doorway and the sofaWrap door frames and sofa corners with moving pads or cardboard before attempting a tight squeeze -- scraped paint and torn upholstery are common casualties of doorway wrestling matches.

When to Call In Help

If a piece isn't budging after a couple of careful attempts, it's usually a sign to stop before something gets damaged -- a wall, a doorframe, or the piece itself. Professional movers deal with awkward doorways constantly and have techniques (and extra hands) that make a real difference.

Guaranteed Quote

Got an awkward piece to move?

Since 2002 · Family-Owned Arizona Movers
BBB A+ Rating
Registered & Insured • $2 Million General Liability
We Accept
VISADiscoverAMEX