{"id":104894,"date":"2026-08-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:00:00","slug":"move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing?"},"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' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Before_Downsizing_Understand_What_Youre_Actually_Moving_Into\" title=\"Before Downsizing, Understand What You&rsquo;re Actually Moving Into\">Before Downsizing, Understand What You&rsquo;re Actually Moving Into<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#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-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#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\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#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-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#RECYCLE_OR_DISPOSE\" title=\"RECYCLE OR DISPOSE\">RECYCLE OR DISPOSE<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#8_Weeks_Before\" title=\"8+ Weeks Before\">8+ Weeks Before<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#6_Weeks_Before\" title=\"6 Weeks Before\">6 Weeks Before<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#4_Weeks_Before\" title=\"4 Weeks Before\">4 Weeks Before<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#2_Weeks_Before\" title=\"2 Weeks Before\">2 Weeks Before<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Living_Room\" title=\"Living Room\">Living Room<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Kitchen\" title=\"Kitchen\">Kitchen<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Bedrooms\" title=\"Bedrooms\">Bedrooms<\/a><\/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\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Bathrooms\" title=\"Bathrooms\">Bathrooms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Office\" title=\"Office\">Office<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Garage_and_Storage\" title=\"Garage and Storage\">Garage and Storage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Trying_to_Recreate_the_Old_House\" title=\"Trying to Recreate the Old House\">Trying to Recreate the Old House<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Measuring_Too_Late\" title=\"Measuring Too Late\">Measuring Too Late<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Keeping_Every_Sentimental_Item\" title=\"Keeping Every Sentimental Item\">Keeping Every Sentimental Item<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Selling_Everything_Individually\" title=\"Selling Everything Individually\">Selling Everything Individually<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Starting_Too_Late\" title=\"Starting Too Late\">Starting Too Late<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Renting_Storage_Without_Doing_the_Math\" title=\"Renting Storage Without Doing the Math\">Renting Storage Without Doing the Math<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Buying_Organizers_Before_Decluttering\" title=\"Buying Organizers Before Decluttering\">Buying Organizers Before Decluttering<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Filling_the_New_Home_Immediately\" title=\"Filling the New Home Immediately\">Filling the New Home Immediately<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#How_do_you_decide_what_to_keep_when_moving_to_a_smaller_home\" title=\"How do you decide what to keep when moving to a smaller home?\">How do you decide what to keep when moving to a smaller home?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#What_should_I_get_rid_of_first_when_downsizing\" title=\"What should I get rid of first when downsizing?\">What should I get rid of first when downsizing?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#How_much_should_you_get_rid_of_when_downsizing\" title=\"How much should you get rid of when downsizing?\">How much should you get rid of when downsizing?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Should_I_sell_furniture_before_moving_to_a_smaller_home\" title=\"Should I sell furniture before moving to a smaller home?\">Should I sell furniture before moving to a smaller home?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#Should_I_rent_storage_when_downsizing\" title=\"Should I rent storage when downsizing?\">Should I rent storage when downsizing?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#How_early_should_you_start_downsizing_before_moving\" title=\"How early should you start downsizing before moving?\">How early should you start downsizing before moving?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#i\" title=\"&nbsp;\">&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Moving into a smaller home creates a problem that a normal move doesn&rsquo;t necessarily have:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Everything you own may not fit.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The sofa that looked perfectly reasonable in a four-bedroom house can dominate the living room of a two-bedroom apartment. The garage shelves full of tools may be headed somewhere without a garage. Three sets of dishes suddenly seem excessive when your new kitchen has half as many cabinets.<\/p>\n<p>Downsizing forces you to make decisions.<\/p>\n<p>What comes with you?<\/p>\n<p>What gets sold?<\/p>\n<p>What gets donated?<\/p>\n<p>And what are you keeping simply because you&rsquo;ve had it for years?<\/p>\n<p>The goal isn&rsquo;t to get rid of as much as possible.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s to make sure the belongings you take <strong>fit the home and life you&rsquo;re actually moving into<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Here&rsquo;s a practical way to decide what deserves space in your smaller home, and what you can confidently leave behind.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Before_Downsizing_Understand_What_Youre_Actually_Moving_Into\"><\/span><strong>Before Downsizing, Understand What You&rsquo;re Actually Moving Into<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Don&rsquo;t start by asking:<\/p>\n<p><strong>What should I get rid of?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Start by asking:<\/p>\n<p><strong>What will fit in my new home?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gather as much information as possible about the new space.<\/p>\n<p>Consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Total square footage<\/li>\n<li>Number of bedrooms<\/li>\n<li>Closet space<\/li>\n<li>Kitchen cabinets<\/li>\n<li>Bathroom storage<\/li>\n<li>Garage or lack of one<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"\/blog\/how-to-clean-out-a-basement\/\"   title=\"Basement\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Basement<\/a> or attic storage<\/li>\n<li>Outdoor space<\/li>\n<li>Laundry area<\/li>\n<li>Parking<\/li>\n<li>Building storage<\/li>\n<li>Room dimensions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Two homes with the same square footage can have dramatically different usable storage.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/what-affects-the-cost-of-moving-from-california-to-texas\">Understanding the destination<\/a> gives you a real constraint instead of an arbitrary goal like &ldquo;I should probably get rid of 30% of my stuff.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Measure the New Home<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Measurements can save you from moving furniture that doesn&rsquo;t work.<\/p>\n<p>Measure important areas such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Living room<\/li>\n<li>Bedrooms<\/li>\n<li>Dining area<\/li>\n<li>Doorways<\/li>\n<li>Hallways<\/li>\n<li>Closets<\/li>\n<li>Elevators<\/li>\n<li>Stairways<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Then measure the furniture you&rsquo;re considering taking.<\/p>\n<p>Pay particular attention to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sofas<\/li>\n<li>Sectionals<\/li>\n<li>Dining tables<\/li>\n<li>Beds<\/li>\n<li>Dressers<\/li>\n<li>Desks<\/li>\n<li>Bookshelves<\/li>\n<li>Entertainment centers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Don&rsquo;t ask only whether something technically fits.<\/p>\n<p>Ask whether it fits <strong>comfortably<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>A dining table that leaves six inches of walking space around it isn&rsquo;t necessarily a good fit just because you managed to get it through the door.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Create a Floor Plan Before Moving<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>You don&rsquo;t need architectural software.<\/p>\n<p>A simple sketch can help.<\/p>\n<p>Draw the major rooms and decide approximately where your largest furniture will go.<\/p>\n<p>If you can&rsquo;t find a logical place for an item on paper, that&rsquo;s useful information.<\/p>\n<p>The new home shouldn&rsquo;t become a storage unit where furniture happens to be arranged around narrow walking paths.<\/p>\n<p>Leave room to live.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Think in Terms of Capacity, Not Percentage<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>You don&rsquo;t necessarily need to eliminate half your belongings because the new house is half the size.<\/p>\n<p>Different belongings consume space differently.<\/p>\n<p>A collection of photographs takes little room.<\/p>\n<p>A second dining table takes a lot.<\/p>\n<p>Focus first on the categories that consume the most space:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\n<li>Garage items<\/li>\n<li>Storage bins<\/li>\n<li>Clothing<\/li>\n<li>Books<\/li>\n<li>Kitchenware<\/li>\n<li>Recreational equipment<\/li>\n<li>Large collections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Reducing bulky categories can have a much larger impact than obsessing over small objects.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Use the Four-Category Downsizing Method<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>As you work through your home, assign belongings to four primary categories:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"KEEP\"><\/span><strong>KEEP<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It fits your new home and your new life.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SELL\"><\/span><strong>SELL<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You don&rsquo;t need it, but it has enough resale value to justify selling.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DONATE\"><\/span><strong>DONATE<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It&rsquo;s useful and in appropriate condition, but selling isn&rsquo;t worthwhile.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RECYCLE_OR_DISPOSE\"><\/span><strong>RECYCLE OR DISPOSE<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It&rsquo;s broken, expired, unusable, or unsuitable for donation.<\/p>\n<p>You can also create a very small temporary <strong>undecided<\/strong> category for genuinely difficult sentimental decisions.<\/p>\n<p>The key word is small.<\/p>\n<p>If half the garage becomes &ldquo;undecided,&rdquo; you haven&rsquo;t actually downsized.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>What Should You Keep When Moving Into a Smaller Home?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Keep belongings that earn their space.<\/p>\n<p>That usually means they&rsquo;re:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Used regularly<\/li>\n<li>Necessary<\/li>\n<li>Meaningful<\/li>\n<li>Difficult or expensive to replace<\/li>\n<li>Appropriate for the new home<\/li>\n<li>In good condition<\/li>\n<li>Compatible with your current lifestyle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>An item doesn&rsquo;t need to satisfy every criterion.<\/p>\n<p>Your grandmother&rsquo;s photographs don&rsquo;t need to be practical.<\/p>\n<p>Your vacuum cleaner doesn&rsquo;t need sentimental value.<\/p>\n<p>But everything should have a reason for coming.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Ask: Would I Choose This for My New Home Today?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>This is one of the most useful downsizing questions.<\/p>\n<p>Imagine the item wasn&rsquo;t already yours.<\/p>\n<p>You&rsquo;re standing in your new home and someone offers it to you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Would you choose to bring it inside?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If the answer is immediately yes, it&rsquo;s probably a keeper.<\/p>\n<p>If your answer is:<\/p>\n<p><em>&ldquo;Well, I already have it&hellip;&rdquo;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>that&rsquo;s different.<\/p>\n<p>Ownership can make mediocre belongings feel more valuable than they actually are.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Don&rsquo;t Let the Original Price Decide<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>You spent $800 on that chair.<\/p>\n<p>Now you never sit in it.<\/p>\n<p>Keeping the chair doesn&rsquo;t recover the $800.<\/p>\n<p>The money has already been spent.<\/p>\n<p>The relevant questions are:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do I want it now?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Will I use it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Does it deserve space in my smaller home?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Past spending shouldn&rsquo;t automatically determine future storage.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Keep the Best, Not Every Version<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Downsizing often means eliminating duplicates.<\/p>\n<p>If you have:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Three frying pans of the same size<\/li>\n<li>Four sheet sets for one bed<\/li>\n<li>Multiple coffee makers<\/li>\n<li>Two vacuum cleaners<\/li>\n<li>Several nearly identical jackets<\/li>\n<li>More towels than your household realistically uses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>choose the best versions.<\/p>\n<p>You don&rsquo;t need to eliminate useful backups indiscriminately.<\/p>\n<p>But smaller homes reward selectivity.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Prioritize Multi-Purpose Furniture<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Furniture becomes more valuable when it solves multiple problems.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on your home, useful pieces might include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Beds with storage<\/li>\n<li>Ottomans with interior storage<\/li>\n<li>Extendable dining tables<\/li>\n<li>Desks with drawers<\/li>\n<li>Shelving that uses vertical space<\/li>\n<li>Furniture that can serve more than one function<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This doesn&rsquo;t mean you need to replace all your furniture.<\/p>\n<p>It means <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/moving-from-los-angeles-to-dallas-costs-and-timeline\">functionality should influence<\/a> which existing pieces make the cut.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>What Furniture Should You Let Go Before Downsizing?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Start with furniture that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Doesn&rsquo;t fit<\/li>\n<li>Is rarely used<\/li>\n<li>Is damaged<\/li>\n<li>Duplicates another piece<\/li>\n<li>Overwhelms the new room<\/li>\n<li>Is inexpensive to replace<\/li>\n<li>Doesn&rsquo;t suit your future lifestyle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Large furniture has an outsized impact on moving.<\/p>\n<p>Getting rid of one oversized sectional may free more truck and home space than eliminating dozens of small possessions.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Should You Move Your Sofa?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Ask four questions:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Will it physically fit?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Will it fit comfortably?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Is it in good enough condition to justify moving?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Would I choose this sofa for the new room today?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If the answer to several of those questions is no, selling or donating it may make sense.<\/p>\n<p>Measure before deciding.<\/p>\n<p>A sofa should fit the room, not merely the doorway.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Should You Keep Your Dining Table?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Consider how you&rsquo;ll actually live.<\/p>\n<p>If you&rsquo;re moving from a formal dining room into a smaller open-plan apartment, a large eight-person table may no longer make sense.<\/p>\n<p>Ask:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How often do we use it?<\/li>\n<li>How many people normally eat together?<\/li>\n<li>Is there room around it?<\/li>\n<li>Could a smaller table serve us better?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Don&rsquo;t preserve a room from your old home that doesn&rsquo;t exist in the new one.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Think Carefully About Guest Furniture<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>A guest bedroom can quietly consume a large percentage of a smaller home.<\/p>\n<p>If your new place doesn&rsquo;t have a dedicated guest room, ask whether you need to keep:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Guest bed<\/li>\n<li>Guest dresser<\/li>\n<li>Extra nightstands<\/li>\n<li>Spare bedroom furniture<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>How often do guests actually stay overnight?<\/p>\n<p>You may decide the furniture is worth keeping.<\/p>\n<p>Or you may discover you&rsquo;ve been dedicating significant space to something used three weekends per year.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Declutter Clothing According to Your Actual Closet<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Your current closet may allow you to postpone decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Your new one may not.<\/p>\n<p>Review your clothing before <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"\/moving-services\/packing-services\/\"   title=\"packing\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">packing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Ask:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Does it fit?<\/li>\n<li>Do I wear it?<\/li>\n<li>Do I like it?<\/li>\n<li>Is it in good condition?<\/li>\n<li>Does it fit my current lifestyle?<\/li>\n<li>Is it appropriate for the climate I&rsquo;m moving to?<\/li>\n<li>Would I buy it again?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Be especially critical of duplicates and &ldquo;someday&rdquo; clothing.<\/p>\n<p>Your new closet should primarily support the life you actually live.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Don&rsquo;t Forget the Climate<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Moving into a smaller home sometimes accompanies a larger lifestyle change.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe you&rsquo;re moving:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>From a house to a city apartment<\/li>\n<li>From the suburbs to downtown<\/li>\n<li>From one climate to another<\/li>\n<li>From homeownership to renting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your belongings should reflect that change.<\/p>\n<p>A large collection of snow equipment may not deserve moving space if you&rsquo;re relocating somewhere it will rarely be useful.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, yard equipment becomes unnecessary if your new home doesn&rsquo;t have a yard.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Downsizing Your Kitchen<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Kitchens are full of duplicates and single-purpose gadgets.<\/p>\n<p>Go through:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pots<\/li>\n<li>Pans<\/li>\n<li>Dishes<\/li>\n<li>Glassware<\/li>\n<li>Utensils<\/li>\n<li>Food containers<\/li>\n<li>Small appliances<\/li>\n<li>Serving dishes<\/li>\n<li>Pantry items<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ask how often you use each item.<\/p>\n<p>That appliance you use every morning deserves cabinet space.<\/p>\n<p>The gadget you used once after receiving it six years ago deserves a harder look.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Match Kitchenware to Your Household<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>If fewer people will be living in the new home, you may not need the same quantities.<\/p>\n<p>That doesn&rsquo;t mean keeping exactly two plates because two people live there.<\/p>\n<p>Think realistically about:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Daily meals<\/li>\n<li>Entertaining<\/li>\n<li>Dishwasher frequency<\/li>\n<li>Guests<\/li>\n<li>Cooking habits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keep enough to comfortably support your life without filling every cabinet before you&rsquo;ve even moved in.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Be Ruthless With Food Storage Containers<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Almost every kitchen has them.<\/p>\n<p>Containers without lids.<\/p>\n<p>Lids without containers.<\/p>\n<p>Stained containers you avoid using.<\/p>\n<p>Twenty identical takeout containers kept because they might be useful someday.<\/p>\n<p>Match everything.<\/p>\n<p>Keep the good sets.<\/p>\n<p>Recycle or dispose of unusable items according to local requirements.<\/p>\n<p>Your smaller kitchen will appreciate it.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Go Through the Pantry Before Moving<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Moving is a good time to reduce pantry inventory.<\/p>\n<p>Start using:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Canned food<\/li>\n<li>Frozen food<\/li>\n<li>Dry goods<\/li>\n<li>Pantry staples<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>rather than automatically replacing them before moving.<\/p>\n<p>Check applicable expiration or quality dates.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid packing food you already know you won&rsquo;t use.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Downsizing Books<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Books are compact individually and surprisingly substantial collectively.<\/p>\n<p>They&rsquo;re also heavy.<\/p>\n<p>You don&rsquo;t need to eliminate a library you love simply because you&rsquo;re downsizing.<\/p>\n<p>Instead ask:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Will I read it again?<\/li>\n<li>Is it meaningful?<\/li>\n<li>Is it difficult to replace?<\/li>\n<li>Do I want to display it?<\/li>\n<li>Does it deserve shelf space?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keep books you value.<\/p>\n<p>Consider selling or donating books you&rsquo;ve finished with.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Downsizing Decorations<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Decorations can become tricky because they&rsquo;re rarely &ldquo;necessary.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>That doesn&rsquo;t make them worthless.<\/p>\n<p>A home should contain things you enjoy looking at.<\/p>\n<p>But ask:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Will I actually display this in the new home?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you have ten boxes of decorations and only enough display space for two, moving all ten simply transfers the decision to your new address.<\/p>\n<p>Choose your favorites now.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Downsizing Holiday Decorations<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Holiday decorations often occupy storage for most of the year.<\/p>\n<p>Review them before moving.<\/p>\n<p>Look for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Broken decorations<\/li>\n<li>Items you never display<\/li>\n<li>Duplicate decorations<\/li>\n<li>Things you no longer like<\/li>\n<li>Decorations that won&rsquo;t work in the new home<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keep traditions you genuinely enjoy.<\/p>\n<p>Let go of the items that survive every year simply because they&rsquo;re already in a storage bin.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>What About Family Heirlooms?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Heirlooms deserve thoughtful decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Don&rsquo;t throw away meaningful belongings simply because they aren&rsquo;t practical.<\/p>\n<p>But also don&rsquo;t assume you&rsquo;re obligated to personally store every inherited object forever.<\/p>\n<p>For something you don&rsquo;t want but that may matter to the family, consider asking whether another family member would like it.<\/p>\n<p>You may be able to preserve the object&rsquo;s family significance without storing it yourself.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Handling Sentimental Items<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Sentimental belongings are usually the hardest category.<\/p>\n<p>Don&rsquo;t start your downsizing project here.<\/p>\n<p>By the time you reach sentimental items, you want your decision-making muscles warmed up.<\/p>\n<p>Ask:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What memory does this represent?<\/li>\n<li>Do I need the physical object to preserve that memory?<\/li>\n<li>Is this one of the best objects representing that period?<\/li>\n<li>Would a photograph preserve what matters?<\/li>\n<li>Would another family member value it more?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You don&rsquo;t need to eliminate sentimental belongings.<\/p>\n<p>You need to distinguish <strong>meaningful objects from objects you&rsquo;ve simply owned for a long time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Create a Sentimental Limit<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Physical boundaries can make emotional decisions easier.<\/p>\n<p>For example, you might decide sentimental belongings need to fit into:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>One trunk<\/li>\n<li>Two storage containers<\/li>\n<li>One bookshelf<\/li>\n<li>A specific closet area<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The exact limit doesn&rsquo;t matter.<\/p>\n<p>The idea is to give the category a defined amount of space.<\/p>\n<p>Then choose what deserves that space most.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Digitize Where It Makes Sense<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Some physical collections can potentially be reduced through digitization.<\/p>\n<p>Examples might include certain:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Photographs<\/li>\n<li>Documents<\/li>\n<li>Children&rsquo;s artwork<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That doesn&rsquo;t mean throwing away every original.<\/p>\n<p>For especially meaningful or historically important items, keeping the physical version may matter.<\/p>\n<p>But you may not need every piece of paper you&rsquo;ve accumulated over decades.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Declutter Paperwork<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Paper can occupy entire filing cabinets.<\/p>\n<p>Review:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bills<\/li>\n<li>Statements<\/li>\n<li>Receipts<\/li>\n<li>Manuals<\/li>\n<li>Warranties<\/li>\n<li>Notes<\/li>\n<li>Old records<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keep documents you genuinely need to retain.<\/p>\n<p>For sensitive documents you no longer need, dispose of them securely.<\/p>\n<p>Follow appropriate legal, tax, financial, or professional retention requirements for important records.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Downsizing a Garage<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>The garage can be one of the biggest challenges when moving into a smaller home.<\/p>\n<p>You may have accumulated:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tools<\/li>\n<li>Lawn equipment<\/li>\n<li>Automotive supplies<\/li>\n<li>Sports equipment<\/li>\n<li>Camping equipment<\/li>\n<li>Holiday decorations<\/li>\n<li>Building materials<\/li>\n<li>Half-finished projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the new home has no garage, these items need a real destination.<\/p>\n<p>Don&rsquo;t automatically rent storage for all of them.<\/p>\n<p>Decide what still belongs in your life.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Let Go of Equipment for a Lifestyle You&rsquo;re Leaving<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>This can be surprisingly emotional.<\/p>\n<p>You may own equipment connected to a version of your life that&rsquo;s changing.<\/p>\n<p>A giant lawn mower doesn&rsquo;t serve much purpose in a condo.<\/p>\n<p>A workbench may not fit in an apartment.<\/p>\n<p>That doesn&rsquo;t mean those things weren&rsquo;t valuable.<\/p>\n<p>They simply may have completed their job in your life.<\/p>\n<p>Selling or donating them can be part of adapting to the new home rather than losing something.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Evaluate Hobby Equipment Honestly<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Don&rsquo;t eliminate hobbies you love simply because you&rsquo;re downsizing.<\/p><div class=\"getbe-middle\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; \" id=\"getbe-1880087966\"><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<p>But distinguish between:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hobbies you actually practice<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>and<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hobbies you intended to practice someday.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Keep the equipment that supports your real interests.<\/p>\n<p>Reconsider equipment that has remained untouched for years.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>What Should You Sell Before Downsizing?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Selling works best for items with enough value to justify the effort.<\/p>\n<p>Potential candidates include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\n<li>Electronics<\/li>\n<li>Appliances<\/li>\n<li>Tools<\/li>\n<li>Exercise equipment<\/li>\n<li>Recreational equipment<\/li>\n<li>Collectibles<\/li>\n<li>Quality household goods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Start selling early.<\/p>\n<p>Furniture can take time to find a buyer.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Don&rsquo;t Try to Sell Every $5 Item<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Moving is already a project.<\/p>\n<p>Don&rsquo;t accidentally create another full-time job.<\/p>\n<p>Decide on a minimum amount that makes selling worthwhile.<\/p>\n<p>Below that threshold, donation may be easier.<\/p>\n<p>Your time has value too.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Give Unsold Items a Deadline<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>This is essential.<\/p>\n<p>Set a date.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anything that hasn&rsquo;t sold seven days before moving gets donated or otherwise handled.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, you&rsquo;ll arrive at moving day surrounded by items that are technically &ldquo;for sale&rdquo; but are now being loaded onto the truck.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>What Should You Donate?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Donation can be ideal for items that are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Useful<\/li>\n<li>In acceptable condition<\/li>\n<li>No longer needed<\/li>\n<li>Not worth selling individually<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Depending on what local organizations accept, that may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Clothing<\/li>\n<li>Books<\/li>\n<li>Household items<\/li>\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\n<li>Kitchenware<\/li>\n<li>Toys<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Check current donation guidelines before making the trip.<\/p>\n<p>Donation centers aren&rsquo;t disposal services, so don&rsquo;t donate broken or unusable belongings.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>What Should You Throw Away or Recycle?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Some belongings have simply reached the end of their useful life.<\/p>\n<p>Examples may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Broken items<\/li>\n<li>Severely damaged furniture<\/li>\n<li>Unusable household goods<\/li>\n<li>Expired products<\/li>\n<li>Worn-out belongings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Recycle where appropriate and available.<\/p>\n<p>Certain products, including some electronics, batteries, chemicals, medications, paints, and other materials, may require special disposal depending on local regulations.<\/p>\n<p>Check applicable local guidance.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Don&rsquo;t Rent a Storage Unit Automatically<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>This is one of the biggest downsizing traps.<\/p>\n<p>You&rsquo;re moving somewhere smaller.<\/p>\n<p>You can&rsquo;t decide what to eliminate.<\/p>\n<p>So you rent another space to hold everything that doesn&rsquo;t fit.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes storage is completely reasonable, especially during a temporary transition.<\/p>\n<p>But calculate the long-term cost.<\/p>\n<p>If storage costs $150 per month, that&rsquo;s:<\/p>\n<p><strong>$1,800 per year.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ask yourself:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Are the belongings inside worth paying $1,800 every year to keep?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The answer may be yes.<\/p>\n<p>But make that decision intentionally.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Use the Replacement Test<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>For items you&rsquo;re unsure about, ask:<\/p>\n<p><strong>If I get rid of this and need it again, how difficult would it be to replace?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Something that costs $10 and can be replaced easily may not deserve valuable storage space &ldquo;just in case.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Something expensive, rare, or difficult to replace deserves more consideration.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Use the Moving-Cost Test<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Ask:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is this worth paying to move?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This matters especially for bulky furniture during a long-distance move.<\/p>\n<p>Compare:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cost and effort to move<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>versus<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cost to replace<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A cheap, worn-out bookshelf might not be worth transporting hundreds of miles.<\/p>\n<p>A high-quality piece of furniture that fits the new home may absolutely be worth it.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Use the Space Test<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>In a smaller home, every large object consumes a larger percentage of your available space.<\/p>\n<p>Ask:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Does this item provide enough value to deserve the space it takes?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is especially useful for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\n<li>Exercise equipment<\/li>\n<li>Large collections<\/li>\n<li>Recreational equipment<\/li>\n<li>Kitchen appliances<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your goal isn&rsquo;t maximum emptiness.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s maximum usefulness from the space you have.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Use the One-Year Test, Carefully<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>The familiar rule says:<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you haven&rsquo;t used something in a year, get rid of it.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>That&rsquo;s useful, but not universal.<\/p>\n<p>Some things are legitimately used infrequently:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Formal clothing<\/li>\n<li>Emergency equipment<\/li>\n<li>Seasonal belongings<\/li>\n<li>Specialized tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Instead ask:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why haven&rsquo;t I used it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If there&rsquo;s a realistic future use, keep it.<\/p>\n<p>If you&rsquo;ve been saying &ldquo;maybe someday&rdquo; for eight years, that&rsquo;s different.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Use the &ldquo;Would I Buy It Again?&rdquo; Test<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Imagine the item disappeared tonight.<\/p>\n<p>Would you buy another one?<\/p>\n<p>If your answer is:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Immediately.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Keep it.<\/p>\n<p>If your answer is:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Absolutely not.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You have useful information.<\/p>\n<p>If your answer is:<\/p>\n<p><strong>I wouldn&rsquo;t spend money on another one, but I guess I might as well keep this one&hellip;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>that&rsquo;s exactly the kind of item worth reconsidering during a downsize.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Don&rsquo;t Downsize Someone Else&rsquo;s Belongings<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>If you&rsquo;re moving with a spouse, children, roommates, or other family members, let people participate in decisions about their possessions.<\/p>\n<p>You can establish space limits.<\/p>\n<p>You can explain the constraints.<\/p>\n<p>But secretly eliminating someone else&rsquo;s belongings isn&rsquo;t a downsizing strategy.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s a future argument.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Give Adult Children Their Belongings<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>If you&rsquo;ve been storing boxes for adult children or other relatives, moving is a good time to address them.<\/p>\n<p>Tell the owner you&rsquo;re downsizing.<\/p>\n<p>Give them reasonable time to retrieve their belongings where appropriate.<\/p>\n<p>Don&rsquo;t automatically transport someone else&rsquo;s decade-old storage collection into your smaller home.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Start Downsizing Months Before the Move If Possible<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Downsizing usually takes longer than ordinary decluttering because the decisions are harder.<\/p>\n<p>If possible, begin early.<\/p>\n<p>A practical timeline might look like this:<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Weeks_Before\"><\/span><strong>8+ Weeks Before<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Focus on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Garage<\/li>\n<li>Basement<\/li>\n<li>Attic<\/li>\n<li>Storage<\/li>\n<li>Large furniture<\/li>\n<li>Items you want to sell<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Weeks_Before\"><\/span><strong>6 Weeks Before<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Work through:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Closets<\/li>\n<li>Clothing<\/li>\n<li>Books<\/li>\n<li>Hobby equipment<\/li>\n<li>Home office<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Weeks_Before\"><\/span><strong>4 Weeks Before<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Handle:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Kitchen<\/li>\n<li>Decorations<\/li>\n<li>Everyday household items<\/li>\n<li>Remaining furniture<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Weeks_Before\"><\/span><strong>2 Weeks Before<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Make final decisions about:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unsold items<\/li>\n<li>Donations<\/li>\n<li>Sentimental belongings<\/li>\n<li>Remaining storage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By moving week, almost everything should already have a destination.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Create a &ldquo;No New Clutter&rdquo; Rule<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Downsizing doesn&rsquo;t work very well if you&rsquo;re eliminating possessions while simultaneously buying replacements.<\/p>\n<p>During the weeks before moving, consider pausing nonessential household purchases.<\/p>\n<p>Ask:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do I really want to pack this in three weeks?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If not, don&rsquo;t bring it home.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Don&rsquo;t Furnish the Smaller Home Before Living in It<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>You may think you know exactly what your new home needs.<\/p>\n<p>Then you move in and discover something different.<\/p>\n<p>Give yourself time.<\/p>\n<p>You may realize:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You don&rsquo;t need another chair<\/li>\n<li>A room functions differently than expected<\/li>\n<li>You need storage more than decoration<\/li>\n<li>Existing furniture works better than anticipated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Live in the space before filling every empty corner.<\/p>\n<p>Empty space isn&rsquo;t a problem requiring immediate furniture.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Make the New Home About Your Current Life<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>One of the biggest benefits of downsizing is the opportunity to reconsider how you live.<\/p>\n<p>Your old home may contain belongings accumulated across decades.<\/p>\n<p>Your new home doesn&rsquo;t need to reproduce every previous chapter.<\/p>\n<p>Ask:<\/p>\n<p><strong>What does my life look like now?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Maybe you entertain less.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe you travel more.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe your children have moved out.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe you work from home.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe you want less maintenance.<\/p>\n<p>Your possessions should support the life you&rsquo;re moving toward, not merely preserve the home you&rsquo;re leaving.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>A Room-by-Room Downsizing Checklist<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Living_Room\"><\/span><strong>Living Room<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sofa<\/li>\n<li>Chairs<\/li>\n<li>Coffee tables<\/li>\n<li>Side tables<\/li>\n<li>Entertainment furniture<\/li>\n<li>Bookshelves<\/li>\n<li>Lamps<\/li>\n<li>Decorations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keep what fits comfortably and supports how you actually use the room.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kitchen\"><\/span><strong>Kitchen<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Review:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dishes<\/li>\n<li>Glassware<\/li>\n<li>Cookware<\/li>\n<li>Utensils<\/li>\n<li>Appliances<\/li>\n<li>Food storage<\/li>\n<li>Pantry items<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Eliminate duplicates and rarely used gadgets.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bedrooms\"><\/span><strong>Bedrooms<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Review:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Beds<\/li>\n<li>Dressers<\/li>\n<li>Nightstands<\/li>\n<li>Clothing<\/li>\n<li>Linens<\/li>\n<li>Decorations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Measure furniture against the new bedrooms.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bathrooms\"><\/span><strong>Bathrooms<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Reduce:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Expired products<\/li>\n<li>Duplicate toiletries<\/li>\n<li>Old towels<\/li>\n<li>Unused personal-care items<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Office\"><\/span><strong>Office<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Review:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\n<li>Paperwork<\/li>\n<li>Electronics<\/li>\n<li>Office supplies<\/li>\n<li>Books<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keep what supports how you currently work.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Garage_and_Storage\"><\/span><strong>Garage and Storage<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Evaluate:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tools<\/li>\n<li>Equipment<\/li>\n<li>Holiday items<\/li>\n<li>Recreational gear<\/li>\n<li>Old projects<\/li>\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\n<li>Stored boxes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Be especially selective if your new home lacks equivalent storage.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>A Simple Downsizing Decision Tree<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>For each item, ask:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Does it fit my new home and my current life?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If no &rarr; consider letting it go.<\/p>\n<p>If yes:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do I use, need, or genuinely value it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If yes &rarr; <strong>KEEP<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If no:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is it valuable enough to justify selling?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If yes &rarr; <strong>SELL<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If no:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is it useful and in appropriate condition for someone else?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If yes &rarr; <strong>DONATE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If no:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can it be recycled or does it require special disposal?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Handle it appropriately.<\/p>\n<p>Repeat.<\/p>\n<p>One item at a time.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>What If You Can&rsquo;t Decide?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Ask these seven questions:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>When did I last use this?<\/li>\n<li>Would I buy it again today?<\/li>\n<li>Does it fit the new home?<\/li>\n<li>Do I own something else that serves the same purpose?<\/li>\n<li>How difficult would it be to replace?<\/li>\n<li>Is the memory attached to the object or the experience?<\/li>\n<li>Is this worth the space and effort required to move it?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Usually, the answer becomes clearer.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>What Should You Keep When Downsizing?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Prioritize:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Everyday necessities<\/li>\n<li>Frequently used belongings<\/li>\n<li>Furniture that fits<\/li>\n<li>Quality items<\/li>\n<li>Difficult-to-replace possessions<\/li>\n<li>Things supporting current hobbies<\/li>\n<li>Meaningful sentimental belongings<\/li>\n<li>Items appropriate for your new lifestyle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keep intentionally.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>What Should You Let Go When Downsizing?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Strong candidates include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Furniture that doesn&rsquo;t fit<\/li>\n<li>Broken belongings<\/li>\n<li>Unused duplicates<\/li>\n<li>Clothes you don&rsquo;t wear<\/li>\n<li>Outdated equipment<\/li>\n<li>Items for a lifestyle you no longer have<\/li>\n<li>Things you&rsquo;ve intended to repair for years<\/li>\n<li>Low-value items that are expensive to move<\/li>\n<li>Belongings you&rsquo;re keeping solely because they were expensive<\/li>\n<li>Excess storage items you rarely remember owning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The question isn&rsquo;t whether an object is technically usable.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s whether it deserves space in your smaller home.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Common Downsizing Mistakes<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Trying_to_Recreate_the_Old_House\"><\/span><strong>Trying to Recreate the Old House<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your smaller home needs a different strategy.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Measuring_Too_Late\"><\/span><strong>Measuring Too Late<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Measure before movers load oversized furniture.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keeping_Every_Sentimental_Item\"><\/span><strong>Keeping Every Sentimental Item<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Preserve what matters most rather than everything associated with a memory.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Selling_Everything_Individually\"><\/span><strong>Selling Everything Individually<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your time matters.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Starting_Too_Late\"><\/span><strong>Starting Too Late<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Downsizing decisions take longer than ordinary packing.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Renting_Storage_Without_Doing_the_Math\"><\/span><strong>Renting Storage Without Doing the Math<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Calculate the annual cost.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Buying_Organizers_Before_Decluttering\"><\/span><strong>Buying Organizers Before Decluttering<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Organization doesn&rsquo;t create additional square footage.<\/p>\n<p>Reduce first.<\/p>\n<p>Organize second.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Filling_the_New_Home_Immediately\"><\/span><strong>Filling the New Home Immediately<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Give yourself time to understand the space.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_decide_what_to_keep_when_moving_to_a_smaller_home\"><\/span><strong>How do you decide what to keep when moving to a smaller home?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Consider whether the item fits your new space, whether you use or genuinely value it, how difficult it would be to replace, whether you own duplicates, and whether it&rsquo;s worth the space and effort required to move it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_I_get_rid_of_first_when_downsizing\"><\/span><strong>What should I get rid of first when downsizing?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Start with emotionally easy items such as broken belongings, duplicates, expired products, unused household goods, and furniture that clearly won&rsquo;t fit. Leave sentimental decisions until you&rsquo;ve built momentum.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_should_you_get_rid_of_when_downsizing\"><\/span><strong>How much should you get rid of when downsizing?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There isn&rsquo;t a universal percentage. Base your decisions on the actual storage and living capacity of your new home rather than an arbitrary target.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_sell_furniture_before_moving_to_a_smaller_home\"><\/span><strong>Should I sell furniture before moving to a smaller home?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Consider selling furniture that doesn&rsquo;t fit, overwhelms the new rooms, is in poor condition, duplicates another piece, or costs more to move than it would reasonably cost to replace.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_rent_storage_when_downsizing\"><\/span><strong>Should I rent storage when downsizing?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Storage can make sense for temporary or genuinely valuable belongings, but calculate the long-term cost first. Avoid using storage solely to postpone decisions indefinitely.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_early_should_you_start_downsizing_before_moving\"><\/span><strong>How early should you start downsizing before moving?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Start as soon as you know you&rsquo;re moving. If possible, several weeks or even a few months gives you time to make thoughtful decisions, sell valuable belongings, donate items, and avoid rushed choices.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i\"><\/span>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h1><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Downsizing isn&rsquo;t about fitting as many possessions as possible into a smaller number of square feet.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s about deciding <strong>which possessions deserve to come with you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Measure your new home.<\/p>\n<p>Understand your storage.<\/p>\n<p>Start with large items.<\/p>\n<p>Keep what you use.<\/p>\n<p>Keep what you need.<\/p>\n<p>Keep what genuinely matters.<\/p>\n<p>Sell what has meaningful value but no longer fits your life.<\/p>\n<p>Donate useful belongings someone else can enjoy.<\/p>\n<p>Recycle or responsibly dispose of things that have reached the end of their useful life.<\/p>\n<p>And don&rsquo;t pay indefinitely for storage simply because making a decision feels difficult today.<\/p>\n<p>Your smaller home doesn&rsquo;t need to contain everything your larger home contained.<\/p>\n<p>That&rsquo;s part of the opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>You&rsquo;re not trying to squeeze your old home into a smaller one.<\/p>\n<p>You&rsquo;re deciding what belongs in the next one.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Moving Into a Smaller Home?<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Once you&rsquo;ve decided what comes with you, Bellhop can help get it there.<\/p>\n<p>Bellhop offers flexible local and long-distance moving solutions, including professional moving labor for loading and unloading.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you&rsquo;re moving from a house into an apartment, downsizing after the kids move out, or simply choosing a smaller space, getting help with the heavy lifting can make moving day considerably easier.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Get your free moving quote today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Call <a href=\"tel:+1(855)-696-1007\"><strong>+1 (844) 375-5967<\/strong><\/a> or click here to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/v2\/book\/service\/\"><strong>get started<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Should you move, sell, or donate your belongings? Use space, resale value, usefulness, moving costs, and replacement costs to make smarter downsizing decisions.<\/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":[1],"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>Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing? - Bellhop<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Bellhop allows you to choose from a variety of local, long-distance, and labor-only moving services that suit your needs and budget.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bellhop\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BellhopMoving\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/bellhop-logo-960.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"960\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"227\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nick Valentino\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@BellhopMoving\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@BellhopMoving\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Nick Valentino\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"23 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Nick Valentino\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/0d1c7f232d2f71fbf2cfa16235d2d2bc\"},\"headline\":\"Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/\"},\"wordCount\":4547,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/\",\"name\":\"Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing? - Bellhop\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Uncategorized\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/category\/uncategorized\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Bellhop\",\"description\":\"Moving Tips &amp; Moving Resources\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Bellhop\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/logo.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/logo.svg\",\"width\":148,\"height\":35,\"caption\":\"Bellhop\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bellhopmoving\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/bellhopmoving\/\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/bellhopmoving\/\",\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BellhopMoving\/\",\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BellhopMoving\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/0d1c7f232d2f71fbf2cfa16235d2d2bc\",\"name\":\"Nick Valentino\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d972af744fec1ef673864921b6137b58?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d972af744fec1ef673864921b6137b58?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Nick Valentino\"},\"description\":\"Nick Valentino handles day-to-day operations at Bellhop, ensuring our customer's moves go smoothly. When not knee-deep in moving logistics, Nick enjoys The Bachelor, Georgia Football (Go Dawgs!) and traveling. He lives in Atlanta, GA.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/author\/nick-valentino\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing? - Bellhop","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing?","og_description":"Bellhop allows you to choose from a variety of local, long-distance, and labor-only moving services that suit your needs and budget.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/","og_site_name":"Bellhop","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BellhopMoving\/","article_published_time":"2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00","og_image":[{"width":960,"height":227,"url":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/bellhop-logo-960.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Nick Valentino","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@BellhopMoving","twitter_site":"@BellhopMoving","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Nick Valentino","Est. reading time":"23 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/"},"author":{"name":"Nick Valentino","@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/0d1c7f232d2f71fbf2cfa16235d2d2bc"},"headline":"Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing?","datePublished":"2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/"},"wordCount":4547,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/","url":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/","name":"Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing? - Bellhop","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/move-sell-or-donate-when-downsizing\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Uncategorized","item":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/category\/uncategorized\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Should You Move It, Sell It, or Donate It When Downsizing?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/","name":"Bellhop","description":"Moving Tips &amp; Moving Resources","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Bellhop","url":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en","@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/logo.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/logo.svg","width":148,"height":35,"caption":"Bellhop"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bellhopmoving\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/bellhopmoving\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/bellhopmoving\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BellhopMoving\/","https:\/\/twitter.com\/BellhopMoving"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/0d1c7f232d2f71fbf2cfa16235d2d2bc","name":"Nick Valentino","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en","@id":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d972af744fec1ef673864921b6137b58?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d972af744fec1ef673864921b6137b58?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Nick Valentino"},"description":"Nick Valentino handles day-to-day operations at Bellhop, ensuring our customer's moves go smoothly. When not knee-deep in moving logistics, Nick enjoys The Bachelor, Georgia Football (Go Dawgs!) and traveling. He lives in Atlanta, GA.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com"],"url":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/author\/nick-valentino\/"}]}},"featured_image_src":false,"featured_image_src_square":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"Nick Valentino","author_link":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/author\/nick-valentino\/"},"rbea_author_info":{"display_name":"Nick Valentino","author_link":"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/author\/nick-valentino\/"},"rbea_excerpt_info":"Should you move, sell, or donate your belongings? Use space, resale value, usefulness, moving costs, and replacement costs to make smarter downsizing decisions.","category_list":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.getbellhops.com\/blog\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Uncategorized<\/a>","comments_num":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104894"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104894"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104894\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":104895,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104894\/revisions\/104895"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104894"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104894"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellhopblog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}