Tackling the hardest job: Clearing out old furniture

Tackling the hardest job: Clearing out old furniture

Many sellers shudder at the thought of dealing with a house full of furniture collected over the years. Especially those who are downsizing after decades of living in the family home. It can feel overwhelming.

But every seller wants their house to sell quickly and for the highest price. One of the most effective ways to get there is also one of the hardest: Removing dated furniture. Clearing your space can dramatically improve how your home shows.

With the home-buying season approaching, there’s no time like the present to get started. The first step is taking a strategic look at your furnishings. These tips from Realty Times can help you tackle the process more easily.

Consider your ideal buyer

When deciding what to keep, put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Imagine how your home will show in listing photos, online portals and on social media. If a piece makes a room feel smaller, darker, or older, put it in the sell, donate or dispose of category. When you’re not sure, lean toward getting rid of it. Buyers are drawn to rooms that feel spacious, and less furniture gives that impression.

Categorize furniture

Go through your home room by room and sort items into four groups: keep, sell, donate, or dispose. Consider size, condition, and if each piece adds to a good impression. A solid wood table might be worth refinishing and selling or donating, but furniture with broken drawers, deep stains, or missing hardware can be moved to the dispose category, along with a sagging mattress.

Identify pieces worth selling

Solid wood furniture, mid-century designs, quality bedroom sets, and modern storage units in good condition may be candidates to sell, advises Realty Times. Before deciding, research the prices of similar pieces. If the expected sale price won’t cover your time for cleaning, photographing, and coordinating pickup, the wisest decision may be to skip the selling process and donate instead.

Make a budget and timeline

Once you have an idea of the furniture to get rid of, the next step is to estimate costs for removal services, storage, and minor repairs for items you plan to sell. Then build a timeline that aligns with key milestones and be sure the rooms are cleared by photo day, contractor start dates, and open houses.

Furniture donation

A number of organizations in Boulder County accept furniture donations and can help you declutter responsibly and sustainably. Some also offer home pickup. Here’s a list of local options. They may not accept all types of furniture, so check each website for guidelines.

Centers that support causes

HomeAhead accepts gently used furniture and household items needed by those transitioning out of homelessness in Boulder County. Items can be dropped off or picked up for a fee. Usable items go into their furniture bank, while others are recycled, donated, or disposed of.

Flatirons Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts donated furniture and resells it to fund affordable housing.

TRU Community Care accepts donations for its thrift shop, with proceeds benefitting hospice care.

Greenwood Wildlife Thrift & Consignment accepts furniture donations and consigns quality furniture, with proceeds supporting Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

General donation options

Arc Thrift Stores accepts most furniture and offers free curbside pickup for large furniture.

Goodwill accepts a variety of household items and furniture.

The Salvation Army has donation centers that take furniture and household goods.

Resale and pickup services

Facebook Marketplace is a popular place for selling items in Boulder County.

LoadUp offers junk removal and donation pickup services for a fee, focusing on recycling and donating usable items. Arc Thrift Stores provides free pickup for large furniture donations.

Bottom line

Decluttering is a monumental task, but it’s worth the effort. Taking it step by step, and deciding what stays, what goes, and where it's headed can turn an overwhelming job into real progress and give buyers space to imagine themselves at home.

Read the full Realty Times article (https://realtytimes.com/advicefromtheexpert/item/1053414-cleaning-out-how-to-dispose-of-old-furniture-before-remodeling-your-home-for-sale).