The Walk-Up Is the Hardest Part
A fifth-floor walk-up move is where most furniture damage happens — not in the truck, but on the stairs. With the right prep, almost everything makes it up intact.
Wrap Every Corner First
A scratch on a stairwell wall is the doorknob of the furniture, not the wall's fault. Wrap every corner and edge of each piece in a moving blanket before it leaves the apartment. Tape the blanket, don't just drape it.
Carry Big Pieces On-End
A couch or a bookcase goes up best on its end, with the long side facing up the stairs. Two people, one at each end, walk it one step at a time. Never force a turn — a jammed piece can crack the plaster and itself.
Take the Legs Off
Unscrew the feet from couches, beds, and dressers. Those four inches are often the difference between clearing the stairwell and getting stuck on a landing.
Pre-Map the Stairwell
Walk the route before you carry anything. Note the turns, the railing height, and any low-hanging fixtures. Knowing where you'll have to rotate saves a stuck piece halfway up.
Use a Strap for Heavy Items
A lifting strap (forearm forklift) turns a two-person carry into a balanced, low-strain lift. It's the single best $20 investment for a walk-up move.
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