How to Take Apart & Move a Sofa Bed

Moving a sofa bed is a different job to moving an ordinary sofa, since there's a mechanism, sometimes a mattress, and often a second section to think about before it'll fit through a doorway or into a van. Get the approach wrong, and you're either stuck at a doorway with a sofa bed that won't turn the corner or nursing a strained back from lifting it the hard way. This guide covers how heavy a sofa bed typically is, whether it comes apart at all, how to detach a chaise section on a corner model, and how to move the whole thing safely without damaging the sofa bed, or yourself.

How heavy is a sofa bed?

A sofa bed is noticeably heavier than a standard sofa of the same size, since the metal mechanism and mattress both add weight. Most two- and three-seater sofa beds weigh between 40 and 70kg, while larger corner sofa beds with storage can weigh well over 100kg once the frame, mechanism, and storage compartment are accounted for. This is worth knowing before moving day, since it affects how many people you'll need and whether the sofa bed can realistically be carried in one piece at all. It's also exactly why our own delivery team handles the heavy lifting and positioning when a new sofa bed arrives.

Do sofa beds come apart?

Most do, though how much they come apart varies by design. A straight sofa bed is usually a single solid piece, with the mechanism and mattress built in, so the whole unit needs to be moved as a unit. A corner sofa bed is different, since the chaise section is typically designed to detach from the main body, which is exactly how it’s possible to get a large corner piece through doorways and around tight corners.

How to detach the chaise section from a corner sofa bed

Most corner sofa beds join the chaise to the main body using bolts or connector brackets accessible from underneath, usually hidden beneath a fabric flap or the base of the sofa. With the cushions removed and the sofa bed tilted slightly on its side, these connectors are generally straightforward to locate and undo with a standard screwdriver or Allen key, the same tool typically used during original assembly. Once detached, the chaise and main body become two pieces to carry, lift, and manoeuvre separately, rather than one awkward L-shape that fights you at every turn.

How to get a sofa bed through a doorway

Measuring the doorway width and the sofa bed's widest point, usually the depth of the seat or chaise, tells you whether it needs to go through straight or at an angle. Removing any detachable feet and standing the sofa bed upright on one arm often makes the difference in a tight hallway or stairwell. It’s worth doing a dry run with the measurements first, which our sofa measuring guide covers in more detail.

How to move a sofa bed safely without damage

Lifting with your legs rather than your back, and keeping the sofa bed as level as possible while carrying it, protects both you and the mechanism inside, since tilting it too far can cause a mattress or loose mechanism part to shift unexpectedly. Wrapping the sofa bed in a moving blanket or plastic covering protects the fabric from scuffs and marks during the move itself, particularly around door frames and stairwells. It's also worth keeping the mechanism closed and locked throughout the move, rather than partially open, since an open mechanism is far more likely to catch on a doorframe or shift awkwardly mid-carry, turning a two-person job into a much more stressful one.

Can you move a sofa bed by yourself?

A smaller sofa bed can sometimes be moved by one person if you’re just moving rooms, but most benefit from at least two people, given the added weight of the mechanism and mattress compared to a standard sofa. A corner sofa bed, once the chaise is detached, becomes two separate pieces, each more manageable on its own, though a second person still makes the job much safer and faster. If you're moving a sofa bed any real distance, up or down stairs, or through a particularly tight doorway, it's worth having help on hand, since the cost of a strained back tends to outweigh the inconvenience of asking for a hand.

What tools do you need to dismantle a sofa bed?

A standard screwdriver and an Allen key cover most sofa bed disassembly. A moving blanket or old duvet is worth having on hand to protect the fabric during the move itself, along with a torch or phone light for checking underneath the sofa bed in dimmer rooms or hallways. Keeping any screws or bolts removed during disassembly together in a labelled bag saves frustration when it's time to put the sofa bed back together at the other end, rather than spending moving day hunting for the missing bolt.

How do you reassemble a sofa bed after moving it?

Reattaching a detached chaise section is generally the reverse of removing it: line up the connector brackets or bolt holes and tighten everything back into place. It's worth checking the mechanism opens and closes smoothly before putting the cushions back, since a knock during the move can occasionally shift a hinge out of alignment. Tightening any screws that feel loose at this point is worth the extra few minutes, rather than waiting for a wobble to develop later. Our sofa maintenance and care guide covers how to keep it in good condition once it's settled into its new home.

Browse our full range of sofa beds to see current sizes and weights before your next move.