How to Get a Sofa Through a 31-Inch Doorway

How to Get a Sofa Through a 31-Inch Doorway
Written By
J. Johnson
J. Johnson
Published: Feb 15, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

If you have purchased an oversized sofa and are not sure how you’re going to get it through that doorway, don’t return it to the store just yet. There are some clever maneuvering techniques you can try first.

  1. Remove the hinges from the door using a power screwdriver. Lift the door up and take it off the doorway. Any door will reduce the opening of the doorway, so removing it may give you slightly more than 31 inches.

  2. Lift the couch up and carry it over to the 31-inch doorway. Turn it slightly on its side to reduce its width. Continue turning it on its side, or on end, until you get an angle that will fit through the doorway.

  3. Take apart the sofa yourself if you can’t get an angle for it to fit through the doorway. To take apart the sofa and get it through the doorway, you’ll need to first flip it over. If you’re outside, lay a tarp down to protect the fabric. Then, take the fabric off the underside. It should peel back to reveal the sofa arms on either side. Pull these out to reduce the size of the sofa. Carry it through the doorway while keeping it flipped over. Reassemble once you get inside.

The Drip Cap

  • When you purchase a new sofa, you might find yourself getting caught up in selecting the color, pattern, materials and comfort that you prefer, forgetting about how you will get that enormous sofa through the 31-inch doorway of your home.
  • If you have purchased an oversized sofa and are not sure how you’re going to get it through that doorway, don’t return it to the store just yet.
  • Any door will reduce the opening of the doorway, so removing it may give you slightly more than 31 inches.
  • Lift the couch up and carry it over to the 31-inch doorway.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images

J. Johnson

J. Johnson has been completing freelance writing work since September 2009. Her work includes writing website content and small client projects. Johnson holds a degree in English from North Carolina State University.

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.