How To Move A Lift Chair: Save Your Back With Our Quick & Easy Guide

By Maurice

If you need to move your lift chair and are worried about your safety and preserving your chair, we’ve got you covered! In this quick guide on how to move a lift chair, we give you helpful tips to move your lift chair in the safest and least stressful way possible.

Typical lift chair sizes

Lift chairs come in different sizes according to their models and types. As such, when you are buying your lift chair, it is important to understand the sizing so you can get a chair that fits you perfectly.

To get an ideal size lift chair that matches your needs, you need to understand the following measurements:

Seat height from the floor: In regard to this measurement, there are standard, heavy-duty, and deluxe lift chairs. These chairs' height from the floor range from 19" to 21". On the other hand, petite chairs' height floor ranges from 17" to 18".

Seatback height: this height helps you choose a lift chair in reference to your back height. Do you require a tall or full sleeper lift chair?

Seat width: This is the measurement between your lift chair’s arms. You can measure this by sitting on a dining room chair and measuring the length from hip to hip.

Seat depth: This is the measurement between the front of the seat and the back of the lift chair. You can measure this length by measuring the length from the back of your knee to the rear of the seat.

Ideally the typical lift chair size ranges are as follows:

P/Petite under 5' 3"
S/Small under 5' 3"
M/Medium 5' 4" to 6'
L/Large 5' 9" to 6' 1"
XL/Extra Large taller than 6' 1"
XXL/Extra Extra Large 5' 6" to 6' 1"

How to Move a Lift Chair: Step-By-Step

With the proper prior knowledge, you can comfortably move a lift chair without engaging a professional. However, there are some recommendations and tips that you have to keep in mind, but before you go ahead with the task at hand, consider the following factors:

Protection: You need to ensure that your lift chair is protected from damage and stains when moving it. Consequently, completely wrap it with a moving blanket.
Secure your chair’s feet: Your lift chair's feet can easily fall off or break while moving. To avoid this, get an ideal cover for them, you can use a newspaper.
Weight: Your chair’s weight should be a concern as it determines how you move your chair. If it is too heavy, you can use a dolly.
Your safety: you have to move the chair in the safest way possible to avoid injuring yourself.

With the above factors in your mind, the following are the recommended ways of moving a lift chair on your own:

Use Furniture Sliders

Sliders, also popularly known as gliders, are pieces of durable plastic or rubber that you stick at the edges of your lift chair to move it with ease. These protect your floor while preventing your lift chair from getting scratches. They come in different sizes and materials, so you can use what suits your lift chair. However, different floor types work best with specific gliders hence the need to consult a professional. If you are moving your lift chair across your room, a glider is an ideal moving tool.

Use a moving blanket

To protect your lift chair's expensive upholstery like leather, you can use a moving blanket. This works just like a slider; you put it under the lift chair and pull the blanket to your preferred location in the room.

Use Shoulder Dolly Moving Straps

You can use shoulder dolly moving straps if you have a helping hand. These straps are an ideal way to relieve your hands and engage your powerful leg muscles. With the strap positioned in the middle of the lift chair, the weight is distributed evenly so you can move the chair with ease. Dolly straps are the best option when you have to move up or down the stairs when moving your chair.

How to Move a Lift Chair Upstairs

Moving your lift chair across the room is easy if you use the above-recommended drills. However, the endeavor gets more complicated when you have to use the stairs. Your safety and that of the chair can easily get compromised, and the task is more challenging. To move successfully, you need proper planning and, of course, a helping hand.

You can choose to disassemble your lift chair and easily move it piece by piece, but if you want to move it in one piece, the following steps will come in handy:

1
Measure the width of your lift chair, staircases, and doorways. If the chair's width is smaller than the rest, you are good to go.
2
Remove any obstructions on the way
3
If you are handling a heavy-duty lift chair, remove its back to reduce its weight. Be keen to tuck away the screws and the bolts safely.
4
Wrap the lift chair with a plastic furniture wrap or moving blanket
5
With the help of your friend, load the lift chair onto a hand truck and move it towards the staircase. Lift the truck on the first step and wheel it up one step at a time.
6
When you reach your destination, tilt the lift chair to its upright position and slide out the truck.

Best Videos for Moving a Lift Chair

There are lots of moving videos that you can watch to help you move your lift chair, but the following are arguably the best:

Move reclining furniture quick and easy

Moving a heavy recliner upstairs

Tips to Avoid Injury When Moving a Lift Chair

When moving your lift chair, your safety is imperative. To avoid injuries, the following moving tips can help:

Do not take shortcuts; plan and get the recommended tools such as furniture sliders, or a moving blanket.
Prepare your body; if you have a moving date planned, try to get in shape, and exercise to strengthen your muscles.
Lift within your limits; do not attempt to lift a heavy lift chair on your own, and when you have a helping hand, consider removing the back of a heavy-duty lift chair to reduce the weight.
Dress appropriately; wear gloves, long sleeves, and pants to avoid scratches. You can also use work boots for extra support, especially when moving up the stairs.
Clear the path; take time before moving to ensure no unnecessary stumbling blocks on your path.
Get help; getting a helping hand ensures you do not lift the heavy lift chair on your own, which can cause back injuries.
Hire professionals; while you can move the lift chair on your own, hiring professionals takes the risk of getting injuries from you.

Whether you are moving your lift chair within the same room or to another house, it is important to follow the recommended drills. These help you to not only successfully move your chair but also ensure the endeavor is safe for you and your lift chair. If you feel the task is too much for you, you can always seek the help of professional movers.