Stair Type Guides: Moving Furniture Up Every Staircase Type

Frequently asked

Questions we keep getting.

• Which stairs are hardest to move furniture up?

  Spiral and winder stairs are the most restrictive — they turn continuously with no landing to reorient on. Straight stairs are the easiest because the full width stays available the whole way.

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• What's the minimum clearance I need on stairs?

  Your item's smallest dimension should sit at least 2–3 inches under the staircase's narrowest clearance for safe passage. The narrowest point — often a turn or overhang — is what counts, not the average.

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• Does a landing help when moving furniture?

  Yes — a landing is a rest point and a pivot space, letting you rotate an item 90 or 180 degrees mid-climb. Winder stairs turn without one, so the item must hold its angle through the curve.

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• Can a sofa go up a spiral staircase?

  Rarely without disassembly. Spiral stairs combine narrow width with a constant turn, so only items smaller than the effective clearance in every dimension fit. Consider removing legs, or hoisting through a window instead.

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