There are a number of practical suggestions that can help you eliminate hassle and lower stress during your next move.  Like any major project, your move needs pre-planning.  One of the major jobs you face is to de-clutter by removing, selling, gifting, donating or throwing away things taking up space in your life, but that you never use.  Here are ten tips for making your move a smooth move.

1.Know the space you are moving into.  Measure all walls and door and window openings. If you cannot get there yourself, ask your realtor, landlord, or building management to provide it for you.  Ask for the measurements below and above windows in case built-in bookshelves might increase your available storage.

2.Make a list of the furniture you think must come with you.  Measure it all and see if it will fit into a graph paper drawing of your spaces.  Keep in mind that furniture in some of your bedrooms or family room may fit better into your new living room.  Don’t worry about where your furniture was placed formerly. Celebrate that it can be functional in a new setting. 

3.The “If you haven’t used it” rule.  You can pick any number of years since you last used something you have been storing.  The important thing is to look at what is in your drawers, cabinets and under the bed and figure out if you will EVER use it again.  Use the same evaluation technique for the basement, attic and garage.  Clearly if you have had something stored for more than 10 years, you need to pass it on.  You are never going to find a use for it.

4.If you think you are saving furniture for your children or grandchildren, get over it!  The kids don’t want your stuff.  If you have some special family antique furniture, ask the kids or grandchildren whether they have room for it now.  If they do not, sell it, save the money, and take the children or grandchildren on a shopping spree when it becomes clear what they want or need for furniture.

5.Pick a good auction company if you hope to sell some furniture.  Keep in mind that antique and vintage value is based on condition when furniture is auctioned.  Used furniture does not hold anywhere near the value you paid for it new. 

6.Pick a charity that accepts household goods, clothing or furniture and find out their donation criteria.  All organizations differ in what they will accept.  Ask for a tax receipt and file with your next year’s charitable contributions.

7.DO NOT rent a storage unit unless it is for a specific reason and a known time frame.  Out of sight is out of mind and all you accomplish is adding the storage unit bill to your monthly budget.   Instead, get rid of things now that you have no use for now.  Saving things for possible use in the future seems to make sense, but unless you have a schedule for using them, don’t keep them.  They simply make too much clutter and take up too much space for you to work around