How to Move a Futon

The word covers several different pieces of furniture, and each one moves differently. Work out which one is in your room before you pick up a wrench.

Most wood and metal futon frames come apart into two side rails, a seat deck, a back deck and hardware. Photograph each joint before you loosen it, keep left and right rails marked with tape, and put every bolt, washer and barrel nut in one bag taped to a rail rather than loose in a toolbox. Slats are the part people lose, so band them together.

If a frame will not come apart, measure it and measure the doorway before you lift anything. A folded futon frame is usually narrower than the assembled one, and turning it on its side is often the difference between a clean exit and a scraped door frame.

A futon mattress is heavy, floppy and awkward rather than fragile. Compress it with two or three straps, slide it into a mattress bag, and carry it on its edge with one person at each end. On stairs the person below sets the pace and the person above controls the weight. In a stairwell with a tight turn, stand the mattress upright rather than trying to pivot it flat.

Keep the mattress dry. Fabric covers hold water for a long time, so bag it before it goes outside even if the walk to the truck is short.

Frame rails and decks load like flat panels, stood on edge against the wall of the truck and tied off. The mattress goes flat across the top of a level layer of boxes near the end of the load, not underneath heavy furniture, and not folded in half for the whole trip.

Reassemble the frame before you bring the mattress into the room. Start every bolt by hand, get all of them threaded, then tighten in stages so the frame stays square. Work the folding mechanism once by hand before the mattress goes back on, and keep hinges and pivot points clear of tape residue and grit so they do not bind.

Fit the futon into the rest of the job with the moving checklist, pack the small parts and bedding using types of moving boxes, and if you would rather hand the heavy pieces to a crew you can get free moving quotes. If you are doing it yourself, the moving alone guide and the moving cost calculator will tell you whether a rental truck or a small crew makes more sense for the rest of the load.

Can one person move a futon?

One person can usually move a futon mattress short distances by dragging it in a bag, and can carry frame parts individually. Two people are safer on stairs and through doorways because the mattress flexes and blocks your view.

Should I fold or roll a futon mattress?

Roll a cotton or foam futon and strap it. Innerspring futon mattresses should be carried flat or on edge rather than folded tightly, because the coils can be bent out of shape.

Do I have to take a futon frame apart to move it?

Not always. Measure the frame folded and measure your narrowest doorway or stair turn first. Taking out four to eight bolts is usually faster than repairing a door frame.

How do I protect a futon mattress in a truck?

Bag it, keep it flat on a level surface at the top of the load, and keep it away from anything oily, sharp or damp. Do not put boxes of books on top of it.