×

How to Lift a China Hutch

Adam King

When it's time to rearrange the furniture in your home, most of it simply can be picked up and put in a new place. But larger, heavy pieces of furniture, especially that china hutch in the dining room, are much more difficult to move. If you try to move large pieces of furniture without a plan, you can damage your furniture or your walls, and you also can seriously injure yourself. Plan to protect your china, the hutch and yourself.

Lift a China Hutch
  1. Remove everything from the china hutch, and box the pieces carefully or put them someplace safe. Remove shelves from the upper portion of the hutch; if the shelves are glass, wrap them in towels, blankets or newspaper to protect them. Remove drawers and shelves from the lower portion of the hutch.

  2. With the help of another person, move the hutch away from the wall enough so you can get behind it. Locate any screws and brackets that attach the upper half to the lower half. Unscrew the screws in the lower portion of the brackets. Leave the brackets attached to the upper portion; this will make it easier to reposition the top after you move the hutch.

  3. Place one hand on the top molding that wraps around the top of the hutch. Push up gently to lift the top of the hutch up enough for you to place your hand underneath it. Once your hand is in position, have your helper do the same. Carry the hutch over to a safe location, and lay it down on its back. Bend at the knees, and use your legs to lift.

  4. Tip the lower portion of the hutch backwards enough so that you and your helper both can squat down and lift the hutch up from the bottom with one hand, using the other hand to steady the back. Walk carefully to the new location for the hutch, and set it down carefully, leaving enough room for you to get behind it.

  5. Bend down at the knees as you and your helper carry the top part of the hutch to the lower portion. Tip the upper part up and carefully set it down on top of the lower half. Position the upper part so that the back brackets are lined up with the screw holes. Attach the top to the bottom of the hutch, using the screws and brackets.

  6. Move the hutch back against the wall by lifting it one side at a time. Place one hand in an empty drawer space on the lower half, and lift carefully while simultaneously moving it backwards. Then have your helper do the same. Moving it one side at a time like this is safer than trying to move it all at once. Return all of the shelves, drawers and contents to their places in the china hutch.