{"id":101000,"date":"2026-06-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T20:58:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:58:33","slug":"downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Downsizing Before a Move: Where to Start"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_38 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Jump Ahead To: <\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#Keep\" title=\"Keep\">Keep<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#Donate\" title=\"Donate\">Donate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#Sell\" title=\"Sell\">Sell<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#Discard\" title=\"Discard\">Discard<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#Week_1\" title=\"Week 1\">Week 1<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#Week_2\" title=\"Week 2\">Week 2<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#Week_3\" title=\"Week 3\">Week 3<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#Week_4\" title=\"Week 4\">Week 4<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#6-8_Weeks_Before\" title=\"6&ndash;8 Weeks Before\">6&ndash;8 Weeks Before<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#4-6_Weeks_Before\" title=\"4&ndash;6 Weeks Before\">4&ndash;6 Weeks Before<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#2-4_Weeks_Before\" title=\"2&ndash;4 Weeks Before\">2&ndash;4 Weeks Before<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#Moving_Week\" title=\"Moving Week\">Moving Week<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/downsizing-before-a-move-where-to-start\/#Planning_a_Move\" title=\"Planning a Move?\">Planning a Move?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the easiest ways to reduce moving costs, simplify packing, and make unpacking faster is to downsize before your move.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet for many people, that&rsquo;s easier said than done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you&rsquo;ve lived somewhere for years, it&rsquo;s easy to accumulate furniture, clothes, decorations, tools, and household items that seemed important at the time but no longer serve a purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The challenge isn&rsquo;t knowing that you should downsize.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The challenge is figuring out where to begin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the thought of sorting through your entire home feels overwhelming, don&rsquo;t worry. The key is having a simple process and tackling it one step at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Why Downsizing Before a Move Matters<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every item you keep has a cost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may not notice it while you&rsquo;re living in your current home, but during a move, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/las-vegas-to-new-york-relocation-costs-breakdown-2026\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">every extra item means<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More boxes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"\/moving-services\/packing-services\/\"   title=\"packing\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">packing<\/a> materials<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More loading time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More truck space<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher moving costs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In many cases, the easiest way to lower the cost of a move is simply to move less.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Start Earlier Than You Think<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until the week before the move to begin downsizing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That almost always leads to rushed decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ideally, start:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">  <\/span><strong>4&ndash;8 weeks before moving day<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This gives you time to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sort carefully<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sell unwanted items<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Donate useful belongings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dispose of items responsibly<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The earlier you start, the less <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"\/blog\/moving-stress\/\"   title=\"stressful\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">stressful<\/a> the process becomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Begin With the Easy Stuff<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don&rsquo;t start with sentimental items.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That&rsquo;s where many people get stuck.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, start with items you know you don&rsquo;t need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expired pantry items<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Broken electronics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Old magazines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Worn-out clothing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Duplicate kitchen tools<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quick wins build momentum.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Use the Four-Pile Method<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you go through each room, create four categories:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keep\"><\/span><strong>Keep<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Items you&rsquo;ll definitely take.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Donate\"><\/span><strong>Donate<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Items in good condition that you no longer use.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sell\"><\/span><strong>Sell<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Items with meaningful resale value.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Discard\"><\/span><strong>Discard<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Items that are damaged, expired, or no longer useful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This simple system prevents the &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll decide later&rdquo; pile from taking over your home.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Start With Storage Areas<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/moving-services\/storage\/\"   title=\"Storage\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Storage<\/a> spaces often contain the easiest items to eliminate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider starting with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Garage shelves<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closets<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Storage rooms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These areas typically contain belongings that haven&rsquo;t been used in months, or years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask yourself:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>&ldquo;If I haven&rsquo;t needed this by now, will I really need it in my next home?&rdquo;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Tackle One Room at a Time<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trying to downsize your entire house in a single weekend can feel overwhelming.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Week_1\"><\/span><strong>Week 1<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Garage and storage areas<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Week_2\"><\/span><strong>Week 2<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bedrooms and closets<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Week_3\"><\/span><strong>Week 3<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kitchen and pantry<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Week_4\"><\/span><strong>Week 4<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Living areas and d&eacute;cor<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breaking the project into smaller pieces <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/kansas-city-long-distance-movers-for-families-2026\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">makes it much more manageable<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Be Honest About Furniture<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furniture is one of the most expensive things to move.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before paying to transport a piece hundreds or thousands of miles, ask:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will it fit in the new home?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it still in good condition?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Would I buy it again today?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Large items worth evaluating include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dining tables<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Entertainment centers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guest room furniture<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Older couches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Worn mattresses<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes replacing a piece after the move costs less than moving it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>The Closet Test<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clothing is one of the easiest categories to downsize.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good rule:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">  If you haven&rsquo;t worn it in the past year, seriously consider letting it go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exceptions may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Formal wear<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seasonal gear<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Specialty clothing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everything else deserves a second look.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Simplify the Kitchen<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most kitchens contain far more items than people regularly use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common candidates for donation include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Duplicate utensils<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extra mugs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unused appliances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excess cookware<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The goal isn&rsquo;t minimalism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The goal is moving only what adds value to your daily life.<\/span><\/p><div class=\"getbe-middle\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; \" id=\"getbe-1380094627\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/book\/service\/\" aria-label=\"The Better Way to Move\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"The Better Way to Move\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" width=\"600\" height=\"160\" style=\" max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/600x160.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/600x160.png 600w, https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/600x160-300x80.png 300w\"><\/a><\/div>\n<h1><strong>Don&rsquo;t Move Items You Plan to Replace<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people spend money moving things they already intend to replace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Old mattresses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Worn office chairs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outdated furniture<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Broken appliances<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If replacement is already part of the plan, it may make sense to leave those items behind.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Sell High-Value Items Early<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&rsquo;re planning to sell:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furniture<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electronics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fitness equipment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tools<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start early.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waiting until the final week before moving often forces people to accept lower offers, or give items away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selling early gives you more time and often better results.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>What About Sentimental Items?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is usually the hardest category.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of asking:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>&ldquo;Should I keep this?&rdquo;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>&ldquo;Does this item truly represent an important memory?&rdquo;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don&rsquo;t need to keep every object connected to the past.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes one meaningful keepsake serves the same purpose as an entire box.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Downsizing for a Smaller Home<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&rsquo;re moving into a smaller home, apartment, or condo, downsizing becomes even more important.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Floor plans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closet space<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Garage size<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Storage areas<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing your future space helps guide better decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>How Downsizing Saves Money<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people are surprised by how much they save.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moving fewer items can reduce:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Packing supply costs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Labor time<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Truck space requirements<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Transportation costs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Unpacking time<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For larger households, downsizing can save hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Common Downsizing Mistakes<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people make the process harder than it needs to be.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c Saving everything for the final week<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c Starting with sentimental items<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c Moving furniture that won&rsquo;t fit<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c Keeping things &ldquo;just in case&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c Forgetting to measure the new space<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A little planning goes a long way.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Quick Downsizing Checklist<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6-8_Weeks_Before\"><\/span><strong>6&ndash;8 Weeks Before<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Start with storage areas<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Create Keep, Donate, Sell, and Discard piles<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-6_Weeks_Before\"><\/span><strong>4&ndash;6 Weeks Before<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Sort clothing<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Review furniture<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Begin selling unwanted items<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-4_Weeks_Before\"><\/span><strong>2&ndash;4 Weeks Before<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Simplify the kitchen<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Donate remaining items<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Dispose of unwanted belongings<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Moving_Week\"><\/span><strong>Moving Week<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Reassess anything you&rsquo;re unsure about<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714 Pack only what you truly want in your new home<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Downsizing before a move isn&rsquo;t about getting rid of everything.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&rsquo;s about being intentional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fewer unnecessary items you move, the easier and more affordable your relocation becomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start early, work room by room, and focus on moving the belongings that truly fit your life today, not the things you&rsquo;ve simply accumulated over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Planning_a_Move\"><\/span><strong>Planning a Move?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bellhop helps customers make moving simpler with flexible moving services, transparent pricing, and professional support for local and long-distance relocations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&rsquo;re moving into a larger home or downsizing into a smaller space, Bellhop can help make the transition easier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Get your moving quote today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call <\/span><a href=\"tel:+1(888)498-1085\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">+1 (888) 498-1085<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">book online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn where to start when downsizing before a move, including what to sort first, how to declutter room by room, and how moving less can save time and money.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[1209],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v19.5 (Yoast SEO v19.10) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Downsizing Before a Move: Where to Start - Bellhop<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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