How To Move A Bed When Moving House: Tips & Techniques

Moving house is a huge task, especially when it comes to dealing with large and bulky items like your bed. Whether you're relocating across town or to a new city, moving a bed can be a daunting challenge. From dismantling the bed frame to safely moving a heavy mattress or sofa bed, the process can be tricky. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to move different types of beds — standard frames, bunk beds, sofa beds, adjustable beds, and Murphy beds — including how to navigate stairs, protect your mattress, and reassemble everything at your new home.

How Much Does a Bed Weigh?

Before you start, it helps to know what you're lifting. Here are typical weights for common bed components:

Any bed component over 75 lbs should ideally be moved with a helper. Sofa beds, Murphy beds, and king-size platform frames almost always require two people and a dolly.

Tools and Supplies You'll Need

Before you begin moving a bed, gather the necessary tools and materials to make the job easier:

• Mattress bag or cover — protects against dust, dirt, moisture, and tears during transport
• Moving blankets or bubble wrap — for wrapping frame parts, headboard, and footboard
• Moving straps or rope — distributes weight evenly when lifting
• Furniture sliders — lets you glide heavy pieces across carpet or hardwood
• A dolly or hand truck — essential for rolling mattresses and heavy frames
• Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), Allen wrenches, and a socket wrench set — for disassembly
• Labeled ziplock bags and a marker — for storing and labeling screws, bolts, and hardware
• Packing tape — for securing blankets, bags, and wrapping

Step 1: Strip and Prepare the Bed

Start by removing everything from your bed — pillows, sheets, blankets, and mattress covers. Wash the bedding if you have time, or pack it in bags or boxes for easy transport. You'll want clean sheets ready for your first night at the new place.

Take photos of the bed from multiple angles before you start taking anything apart. Capture close-ups of how the headboard connects to the frame, where slats or support beams sit, and any wiring (for adjustable beds). These photos will save you significant time during reassembly.

Step 2: Disassemble the Bed Frame

Most bed frames are too big and bulky to move in one piece. Disassembling them makes the move safer, protects doorways and walls, and reduces the risk of damage to the frame itself.

1. Remove the mattress and box spring. Lift the mattress off and lean it against a wall. If it's heavy (queen or king), have a helper lift from the opposite end. Repeat with the box spring if you have one.
2. Remove slats or support boards. For platform beds, lift each slat out and bundle them together with packing tape or stretch wrap. For beds with a center support beam, remove it and set aside.
3. Detach the headboard and footboard. Use a screwdriver or Allen wrench to remove the bolts connecting the headboard and footboard to the side rails. Wrap each piece individually in moving blankets or bubble wrap to prevent scratches.
4. Take apart the side rails and frame. Use a wrench to unscrew all remaining bolts. Some frames use hook-style connections — lift the rails up and off instead of unscrewing.
5. Bag and label all hardware. Put every screw, bolt, washer, and bracket into a labeled ziplock bag. Tape the bag directly to the largest frame piece it belongs to. Losing even a single bolt can make reassembly impossible.
6. Wrap all frame pieces. Wrap each disassembled component in moving blankets or bubble wrap. Pay extra attention to corners and decorative elements that can chip or scratch easily.

Read more: Furniture Moving and Rearranging

Step 3: Pack and Move the Mattress

The mattress is often the most awkward part of a bed to move — it's large, floppy, heavy, and hard to grip. Here's how to handle it properly:

Protect the Mattress

Vacuum the mattress surface to remove dust and debris before packing. Then slip it into a mattress bag — a heavy-duty plastic cover that protects against dirt, moisture, and tears during the move. Seal the bag with packing tape. If you don't have a mattress bag, stretch wrap works as a temporary alternative, though it provides less protection. Read more: How to Protect a Mattress While Moving

Move the Mattress

• Carry it on its side. Tilt the mattress onto its long edge. This reduces its footprint and makes it much easier to maneuver through doorways and hallways.
• Use a dolly for long distances. Stand the mattress upright on a dolly and secure it with bungee cords or ratchet straps. Roll it to the truck instead of carrying.
• Two people for queen and king sizes. A queen mattress can weigh up to 100 lbs and a king up to 150 lbs. Don't try to carry these alone — one person at each end, communicating every step.
• Keep it upright in the truck. Stand the mattress on its side against the wall of the truck and strap it in place. Avoid laying heavy items on top of the mattress — sustained pressure can create permanent indentations, especially in memory foam.

Step 4: Moving a Heavy Bed by Yourself

Using Moving Straps

Moving straps are a lifesaver for heavy bed components. They distribute the weight across your shoulders and legs instead of concentrating it on your hands and lower back. Wrap the straps around the bed frame or mattress, secure them, and use your legs to lift. If you have a helper, each person wears a strap on one end of the item for balanced lifting.

Moving a Bed on Carpet

Dragging a heavy bed across carpet is a struggle because of the friction. Furniture sliders solve this problem — place a slider under each leg or corner of the bed frame, and the piece glides across carpet with minimal effort. Use hard plastic sliders for carpet (felt sliders are for hardwood). Read more: How to Move Heavy Furniture on Carpet

Moving Different Types of Beds

Standard Bed Frame

Follow the disassembly steps above. Break the frame down into the smallest manageable pieces, wrap each one, and transport them individually. If the frame is a simple metal rail type, it may fold flat — check before you start unscrewing.

Sofa Bed (Sleeper Sofa)

Sofa beds are among the heaviest pieces of bedroom furniture (200–350 lbs) because of the hidden metal bed mechanism inside. Here's how to handle them:

• Remove the mattress from inside the sofa bed to reduce weight. If you can access and remove the folding bed mechanism, do so — it can weigh 50–80 lbs on its own.
• Remove the legs and cushions to reduce the footprint and make the sofa easier to tilt through doorways.
• Use a dolly. Place the sofa bed on a furniture dolly and secure it with straps. Carefully wheel it out of the house and into the moving truck.
• Wrap the entire sofa in moving blankets to prevent scratches or upholstery damage during the move.

Bunk Bed

Moving a bunk bed alone can feel impossible, but with patience it's manageable:

• Remove both mattresses first. Pack them in mattress bags.
• Remove guardrails and the ladder. These are usually bolted on and come off easily.
• Separate the top bunk from the bottom. Have a helper hold the top frame while you remove the connecting bolts. Set each frame section aside.
• Disassemble each bunk frame into side rails, headboards, and footboards.
• Label every piece as you disassemble — "top left rail", "bottom headboard", etc. Bunk beds have many similar-looking parts, and confusion during reassembly is common.
• Move each piece individually using straps or a dolly. Don't try to carry the full top or bottom frame in one piece.

Adjustable Bed

Adjustable beds have an electric motor and mechanical base that require special care:

• Unplug the bed and disconnect any remote control cables or USB charging cords.
• Lower the base to its flattest position before moving. This is the most stable configuration for transport and reduces the risk of damaging the motor or lifting mechanism.
• Check the owner's manual for specific disassembly instructions. Some adjustable bases split into two sections for easier handling; others must be moved as one unit.
• Remove the mattress separately. Never move the mattress while it's still on the adjustable base — the weight combination is too heavy and the mattress can slide off.
• Wrap the base in moving blankets, paying extra attention to the motor housing and any exposed wiring. Transport the base flat (not on its side) to protect the mechanical components.

Murphy Bed (Wall Bed)

Murphy beds are mounted to the wall and have a spring or piston mechanism that allows them to fold up. They're heavy (150–300 lbs) and require careful disassembly:

• Consult the owner's manual first. Murphy beds vary significantly by manufacturer, and incorrect disassembly can damage the spring mechanism or make reassembly impossible.
• Remove the mattress and any shelving or side cabinets.
• Release the spring tension carefully. Some Murphy beds use gas pistons (which can be simply disconnected), while others use coil springs under tension that require a PVC tube or special tool to safely release. If you're not comfortable with this step, hire a professional.
• Detach the bed frame from the wall. Murphy beds are typically bolted to wall studs. Remove the bolts and have a helper support the frame as it comes free.
• Wrap all components and label every piece, including the mounting hardware and spring mechanism parts.

Stairs add significant difficulty and danger to moving any bed component. Sliders and flat dollies don't work on stairs — you need a hand truck or manual carrying with a partner.

Mattress on Stairs

• Tilt the mattress on its side and carry it with one person at the top and one at the bottom.
• For narrow stairwells, bend the mattress slightly (this is safe for innerspring and memory foam, but check your manual for hybrid or specialty mattresses).
• Move one step at a time. The person at the bottom bears more weight when going up, and controls the descent when going down.
• For king-size mattresses in tight stairwells, consider whether the mattress can be carried up on its side along the wall. If not, you may need to use an alternative route (balcony, larger stairwell, elevator).

Bed Frame Parts on Stairs

• Move disassembled frame pieces individually — never carry the entire assembled frame on stairs.
• For heavy headboards or platform bed sections, use a hand truck with a strap. One person pulls the dolly up (or controls the descent), while the second person guides from behind.
• Wrap all frame pieces before navigating stairs — one bump against a stair railing can crack wood or chip paint on both the furniture and the railing.
• For sofa beds (200+ lbs), stairs are especially dangerous. Use a stair-climbing dolly or hire professional movers — a sleeper sofa falling down a flight of stairs can cause catastrophic injury.

Read more: How to Move Furniture Up and Down Stairs

Loading the Bed Onto the Truck

Load the heaviest parts of the bed first — the mattress, box spring, and any large frame sections. Position them against the walls of the truck to keep things balanced and secure. Stand the mattress on its side and strap it to the truck wall so it can't fall over. Place disassembled frame parts flat on the truck floor or lean them against the mattress. Tie everything down with straps or rope so nothing shifts or tips during transit.

Place the labeled bags of hardware in a box with other small items, or keep them in your car so they don't get lost among dozens of moving boxes.

Reassembling the Bed at Your New Home

With your labeled hardware bags and pre-move photos, reassembly should be straightforward:

1. Position the headboard first. Place it where you want the bed to sit — once the full frame is assembled, repositioning is much harder.
2. Attach the side rails to the headboard using the original hardware. Hand-tighten the bolts first; don't fully tighten until the full frame is connected.
3. Connect the footboard to the side rails. Make sure everything lines up before tightening.
4. Install the support system. Place slats, a center support beam, or a box spring back into position. Make sure slats are evenly spaced and sitting securely in their brackets.
5. Tighten all hardware. Go around the entire frame and fully tighten every bolt and screw. Then give the frame a firm shake — if anything wobbles, find and fix the loose connection before adding the mattress.
6. Add the mattress. Remove it from the mattress bag, let it air out for 30 minutes if it's been sealed for a while, and place it on the frame.
7. Make the bed. Put on fresh sheets and get your bedroom set up — a made bed on the first night makes the new place feel like home immediately.

When to Hire Professional Movers

Moving a bed by yourself is doable for standard frames and smaller mattresses. But some situations are genuinely better left to professionals:

• Sofa beds and Murphy beds — they're extremely heavy and have mechanical components that can be damaged (or injure you) if handled incorrectly.
• Multiple flights of stairs with no elevator — especially in Chicago apartment buildings with narrow, turning stairwells.
• King or California king beds in tight spaces — fitting a king mattress through narrow doorways and hallways often requires professional maneuvering techniques.
• Adjustable beds with complex wiring or split bases — incorrect disassembly can void the warranty or damage the motor.

Move4U movers can step in and take care of the heavy lifting for you. We've got the expertise and equipment to move your bed (and everything else!) with ease, so you can focus on settling into your new home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving a Bed

Do I need to take apart my bed to move it?

In most cases, yes. Bed frames are too wide to fit through standard doorways when assembled, and they're much harder to carry in one piece. The only exceptions are simple metal folding frames that collapse flat, or beds that are only being moved to another room through a wide opening. For any move involving hallways, stairs, or a truck, full disassembly is strongly recommended.

Can one person move a bed alone?

One person can move a disassembled twin or full-size bed frame and a lighter mattress using a dolly and furniture sliders. However, queen and king mattresses (60–150 lbs), sofa beds (200+ lbs), and heavy wooden frames should always be moved with at least one helper. Attempting to move these alone significantly increases the risk of back injury, dropped items, and damage to your home.

How do I move a mattress without a mattress bag?

If you don't have a mattress bag, wrap the mattress tightly in stretch wrap (plastic wrap), overlapping the layers to create a sealed barrier. This protects against dirt and moisture but won't prevent tears the way a proper mattress bag does. For a short local move on a dry day, stretch wrap is an acceptable alternative. For long-distance moves or storage, invest in a proper mattress bag — they cost $5–$15 and are worth it.

How do I move a king-size bed through a narrow doorway?

Always disassemble the frame first — a king headboard is typically 76–80 inches wide, which won't fit through a standard 32–36 inch doorway. For the mattress, tilt it on its side and angle it diagonally through the door. If it still doesn't fit, try removing the door from its hinges — this adds 1–2 inches of clearance. Read more: How to Move Large Items That Don't Fit Through the Door

Can I fold a mattress to move it?

It depends on the type. Thin foam mattresses (under 6 inches) and some bed-in-a-box mattresses can be gently folded or rolled for short periods. Standard innerspring, hybrid, and thick memory foam mattresses should never be folded — bending them can permanently damage the internal structure, void the warranty, and create lumps or sags. When in doubt, keep it flat or on its side.

How should I transport a bed in a pickup truck?

Lay the mattress flat in the truck bed if it fits, or stand it on its side. Secure it with ratchet straps in a crisscross pattern to prevent it from flying out or shifting during turns. If the mattress extends past the tailgate, tie it securely and attach a red flag to the overhanging end. Cover the mattress with a tarp if there's any chance of rain. Place disassembled frame pieces flat underneath or beside the mattress.

How much does it cost to have professionals move a bed?

Most local movers charge $25–$50 per mover per hour, with a two-hour minimum. Moving a single bed typically takes 30–60 minutes as part of a larger move. If the bed is the only item, some companies offer flat-rate furniture moving starting around $75–$150 depending on the bed type, distance, and whether stairs are involved. Contact Move4U for a free quote tailored to your situation.