Answered by Robert Moreschi
September 26, 2013
Much like a sofa bed, a futon is a versatile piece of furniture that can be used as either a sofa or a bed. While usually less expensive than sofa beds, futons tend to be large, sturdy pieces of furniture that can be pretty heavy and difficult to carry and manuever. On average, a futon can weigh anywhere between 350-400 pounds and its unique and versatile design is exactly what makes it such a nightmare to transport come moving day.
Preparing to move your futon
- Remove the large cushion from the futon before moving it. Futons will typically come in two pieces: the frame, usually composed of wood or metal, and the large cushion that goes on top and serves as both the sofa cushion and mattress when it's transformed into a bed. Before you move your futon, you'll need to remove this cushion and load it separately. The cushion can be very heavy and trying to move the futon without taking it off will make your job a lot more difficult.
- Secure the futon into one position before moving. The futon can be set in one of two different positions -- upright, like a couch, and flat, like a bed. Before moving, you should use set the futon in one position -- whichever one allows you to fit through doorways easiest -- and set it in the position by tying the two sides together with rope. Make sure you tie tightly though, to make sure it does not come undone while you're carrying it.
Moving your futon
- Always lift with your legs, not with your back. If you're going to be moving the futon yourself, make sure you have the help of a few people when carrying the futon out of the house. Also, it's important that you always lift heavy items with your legs and not with your back, as doing so can cause injury.
- Hire professional movers to lend a hand. Large, heavy items like futons are difficult to move on your own, which is why it's always a smart idea to hire professional movers and packers to handle it for you.
To find some movers in your area that can assist you with moving your futon, simply visit the front page of
Movers.com and fill out our free and easy-to-use quote form at the top of the page. You'll then be contacted by up to 7 moving companies that will provide you with a no-obligation estimate for your move.
To read more about the moving process, visit our
moving guides section where you'll find over 1,000 different moving guides on all kinds of topics.