Should I buy new furniture, or is it cheaper to move my furniture in?

When you move, you oftentimes must make the decision about moving furniture. Is it worth it to really keep and move that ratty, old sofa your grandparents gave you ten years ago? To learn more about moving furniture, and buying new furniture, read on.

Should It Stay or Should It Go?

Deciding whether to keep your furniture or sell it really relies heavily on your budget and your style. Another thing to think about when it comes to keeping or selling your furniture before moving comes down to sentimental value. Let's go over those:

Budget

Budget plays a massive part when deciding what to move, as well as what not to move. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when it comes to your budget and your furniture:

• Am I saving money by keeping this furniture item?
  • If you chose to hold onto your furniture item, whether it’s a sofa, table, desk, or whatever you might have, are you saving money by moving it?
  • Most movers charge by weight (as well as hours taken to pack and move everything). This means you are adding extra costs to your move by taking heavier furniture items
• Am I saving money by selling or donating this furniture item?
  • Likewise, if you sell (or donate) your furniture items with the intention of buying something new when you get to your new home, you’re still paying quite a bit for a new piece of furniture

Another thing to keep in mind when you sell your furniture, you won’t be getting nearly as much for it as you paid for it. So, keep that in mind when it comes to the idea of "I’ll sell it and use what I got for it to buy something new".

Where can I save money when it comes to furniture?

• If you choose to sell your furniture, you can always get furniture from used furniture stores, yard sales, and even outlet stores.
  • If you want to keep your furniture, then you can go with a DIY move by renting a moving truck and moving the items yourself, so you aren’t charged any extra fees.

Style

Style plays a huge factor when considering what furniture pieces to take. If you have a certain style in mind for your new home and your old furniture doesn’t match that style, then you might want to sell or donate your old furniture.

Changing up the style in your home is typically a lot of fun, but usually works best when you buy the furniture items and decorations as you are styling your home. If you decide to get rid of your furniture, for this reason, we recommend waiting until you move into your new home to buy anything. This allows you to change up your design and ensures that your furniture pieces will fit. It also cuts down on shipping and moving costs.

Sentimental Value

Did your mom pass down a family heirloom that means the world to you? Is that buffet cabinet from the Civil War? Sentimental value also plays a large factor in whether or not we hold onto the furniture. Family heirlooms, cool furniture pieces purchased years ago, even the first side tables you and your spouse bought together after you got married can come into play when thinking about getting rid of (or keeping) furniture.

Our best recommendation when it comes to this is if there is any doubt in your mind about that item, keep it. It’s far better to have that furniture piece with you than absolutely regretting selling or donating it.

If you want to hold onto your furniture but have no place for it, a storage unit can be your best friend. Putting your items in storage that you want to keep but just don’t have a place for is a great way to not only get them out of the way but to keep them protected.

The Verdict

Buying new furniture or holding onto your current furniture is very much a personal decision. It can come down to budget, style, and simply sentimental value. While it might be cheaper to just sell your table, you might have a connection with it, or it might fit the perfect style for your new home so it might not be overall worth it to sell it.