How to Move in Amsterdam without a Furniture Lift?

Congratulations on your new home in the enchanting city of Amsterdam!

In the centre of Amsterdam and the neighbourhoods bordering it, you find the grand townhouses, the famous houses on the canals, the beloved houses from the thirties of the twentieth century, and the popular old workers’ homes.

These houses are all very charming, and most have decorative details, such as small windows with wooden window frames. But what about moving there?

Maybe you’re moving to a modern house – take into account that there’s still a chance you have to deal with challenges like narrow hallways and steep staircases.

Bear in mind that without the help of a furniture lift, you are dependent on the staircases, a lift or the windows of your new house.

Read on to learn how to move without a furniture lift so you’re well-prepared for your move. The last thing you want is to encounter unexpected problems on the day of your move.

If you need help with your move, with or without a furniture lift, then contact Professional Moving Company.

Rope Pulley

You can use a rope pulley to move your things to an upper floor. In Amsterdam, using a rope pulley is a common way to move, especially in the centre and adjacent neighbourhoods. Tourists love it: they will stop by to take photos and videos of this operation.

Moving with a rope pulley requires a few things:

• A hook on top of the facade, where the rope will hang from. Old homes in Amsterdam usually have one.
• A window on your floor that you can open all the way or that you can remove. It needs to be large enough to accommodate the larger items you’re moving, such as furniture and other large objects.
• A rope pulley
• Blankets that you can drape over the windowsill. Old homes tend to have wooden window frames that you need to protect from getting damaged.
• Experienced people who know how to move with a rope pulley. Moving with a rope pulley needs to be done with care: your things move right along the windows of neighbours who live below you. If you don’t know what you’re doing, there is a risk that your things will damage their windows.
• Enough people: one who ties the rope around your things, one who holds and guides the rope, one who grabs the stuff in the open window, and one who helps him and takes over the things from him. This already makes four people. And then you can add people to help you move boxes up the stairs.

Stairs or Lift

It’s not always necessary to use a rope pulley when you’re moving. And if there’s no hook on top of the facade or the main window is too small, you might have to resort to the staircase or lift.

Make sure you prepare your move via the stairs or lift well by paying attention to the following:

• How steep is the staircase, and how narrow are the passageways? This is particularly important when moving large pieces of furniture, such as a sofa.
• How big are the door openings, and how high are the ceilings?
• Are there spaces, such as a mezzanine, that require extra attention?
• Take measurements of the passageways, door openings and ceilings.
• Take measurements of the furniture to ensure it fits your new home.
• Pay attention to the maximum weight if you have a lift: Can you move heavy furniture in it?

Conclusion en Tips

It’s certainly doable to move to an upper floor in Amsterdam without a furniture lift.

Contact Professional Moving Company if you decide on using a furniture lift after all.

When you move, it’s essential to ensure that you pack your belongings securely. Here you read how you can move fragile items safely in Amsterdam.

If you need help with your move to Amsterdam, be it with or without a furniture lift, contact us for a free quote.

Here you see the prices for moving in Amsterdam with Professional Moving Company.

Please read our guide for moving in Amsterdam: everything you need to think about regarding your move is listed in this free guide.