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Moving an apartment: lift, stairwell and furniture lift
Moving an apartment is more than pulling up the van and loading. Narrow stairs, a small lift, tricky parking and the owners'-association rules make it a bit more complicated than a ground-floor move. This guide shows how to choose between lift, stairwell or furniture lift, how to measure and plan your furniture and passages, and which mistakes to avoid.
Moving tipsMaking space
Moving
June 24, 2026
Luuk Kamman
6 min
Moving an apartment: lift, stairwell and furniture lift
Moving an apartment is more than pulling up the van and loading. Narrow stairs, a small lift, tricky parking and the owners'-association rules make it a bit more complicated than a ground-floor move. This guide shows how to choose between lift, stairwell or furniture lift, how to measure and plan your furniture and passages, and which mistakes to avoid.
Moving tips
Making space
Moving
June 24, 2026Luuk Kamman
MOVING AN APARTMENT: HOW TO TACKLE IT
Short answer: measure furniture and passages, disassemble what you can, and decide whether you need a furniture lift. Reserve the shared lift, arrange a parking spot and inform neighbours + owners' association. For the full move timeline: see our moving checklist.
📏 Measure furniture and passages (lift, stairs, doors)
🛗 Shared lift: reserve it and protect the walls
🪜 Narrow stairwell: disassemble and use good lifting technique
🏗️ High up or won't fit? Furniture lift + permit in time
1. LIFT OR STAIRWELL
Passenger lift usually enough for boxes — large furniture rarely fits. Measure internal size + door opening, and mind maximum load for heavy appliances. Via the stairwell: physically the hardest — disassemble, good lifting technique and enough manpower.
2. WHEN A FURNITURE LIFT
External furniture lift is the safest option for heavy/fragile pieces at a high floor. On the public road: municipal permit or temporary traffic measure often needed. Apply well in advance — see also Rijksoverheid on moving. Watch for loading windows and low-emission zones in city centres.
3. MEASURE & DISASSEMBLE
Measure everything well in advance + disassemble what you can. Screws in a labelled bag attached to the item. Furniture lift coming? Check that your window can open fully (sometimes hinges come off) and clear the balcony. For fragile furniture: see our dedicated guide.
4. SORT THE LOGISTICS
Reserve shared lift + parking spot + inform neighbours and owners' association. Check moving hours in the association rules. Protect floors, stairs and lift walls — otherwise liable for damage to shared areas. Consider a moving company for tricky access — saves a lot of hassle.
PLANNING: STEP BY STEP
Handy timeline for an apartment move:
- 4 weeks ahead: measure everything, apply for furniture lift/parking permit
- 2 weeks ahead: inform association, reserve lift, start packing
- 1 week ahead: inform neighbours, label boxes
- Moving day: cordon off parking spot, don't forget storage room/basement box
By Bram Jansen — Lead Storage Advisor at Inbox Storage. Updated: June 2026.
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COMMON MISTAKES WHEN MOVING AN APARTMENT
Most problems with an apartment move can be prevented with good preparation. These are the mistakes that most often go wrong, followed by the questions we get asked most.
🛋️ Not measuring the sofa — won't fit through lift or stair turn
🅿️ No parking spot or lift reservation arranged
🏗️ Furniture lift booked too late
🚲 Forgetting the storage room or basement box
DO I NEED A FURNITURE LIFT?
Yes if large furniture doesn't fit through the stairwell, or high up without a usable internal lift. Also the safest way for heavy/fragile pieces. Assess 3-4 weeks ahead and book right away — furniture lifts are popular.
CAN I USE THE SHARED LIFT?
Usually yes, but check association rules on moving hours — often can't block all day. Reserve a time slot, protect walls and mirrors with blankets or cardboard to prevent damage.
HOW DO I MOVE A SOFA UPSTAIRS?
First measure — sofa, lift and stair turn. If via lift/stairs: disassemble what you can and lift with enough people. If not: via window or balcony with a furniture lift (window must open fully).
WHEN DO I ARRANGE THE LIFT AND PERMIT?
Plan 3-4 weeks ahead. Municipal parking permit or traffic measure needs processing time, and good furniture lifts/companies are quickly fully booked around peak days.
TOO SMALL OR BETWEEN TWO HOMES?
Is your apartment on the small side, or is there time between your old and new home? Then we pick up your belongings at your door — no hauling down a narrow stairwell — and keep them safe and climate-controlled until you can move on. From one month. In a big city? See also our comparison of self-storage in Amsterdam, or our guide on moving between two homes.
Measure, reserve and book in time — that's how even a fourth-floor move goes smoothly.
Calculate your storage price in 60 seconds at Inbox Storage.
No hauling up the stairwell
We pick up your belongings at your door and keep them climate-controlled — ideal for a small apartment or a high floor.
- Throughout NL and Belgium
- Picked up & returned to your door
- Climate-controlled, secure storage
- From 1 month onwards