Anyone else ditched all their furniture and started again when buying/moving?

Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 29/04/2023 15:12

Hey! Similar situation here, we are moving out soon with some current furniture but buying loads of new stuff: new couch/bed etc. Whatever was right in our current flat:, i dont want everything in the house for example so selling things and buying new too!!

Coffeaddict · 29/04/2023 15:17

I mean its a nice idea if you have the money.

We bought our first home last year and it took every penny we had. Equally all our stuff was pretty old ect. We moved it in and are now looking at replacing it as and when. I would prefer a battered sofa then no sofa or a very cheep one. I would aim for one thing at a time so move in then go ok the sofa is rubbish and buy that first then move on room by room.

We have been here a year and are only now able to afford renovations ect but we have a young child who's 30 hours only kicked in this term hence freeing up some money.

Persipan · 29/04/2023 15:44

I would be really wary of discovering stuff needing doing in the house you move into (there's always stuff you notice after you get there) which could eat into your furniture fund, so I'm probably Team Take It With You.

KievLoverTwo · 29/04/2023 16:10

catinthesunshine · 29/04/2023 15:10

We are would-be FTBs currently renting. I hate all the furniture we have now - been living with it while saving for a deposit - it’s all knackered, crap or not to my taste any more, eg battered, sagging old chests of drawers and an uncomfortable sofa.

The only decent things we have are our double mattress, desks for WFH, various bookcases and a pretty new fridge-freezer. We also have a few folding chairs.

We’re seriously considering buying a few basics to start with (white goods, maybe a small folding table to tide us over until we decide what dining table we want), sticking the mattress on the floor and not bringing all our old crap with us.

We have some extra money saved for furniture, renovations etc but I think it would take time to find and choose the right things, work out what we need in the space etc.

Has anyone done this? Are we mad? I’ve made the mistake of discussing it with some family and friends who’ve said things like “oh but you could take your current things for now” - sure we could, but I don’t really like the thought of having to move all this horrible crap or having it in my nice new house. And I figure as long as we can eat, work, sleep and sit down we‘ll be ok for a bit!

Anyone have any tips or experiences to share?

As far as I am concerned, it's going to be the difference between moving a pretty full 3 bedroom house with a bunch of absolute crap I hate or moving a fairly light amount.

I have a man with a van quote for 1400 for the job; I imagine removal will quote 3.5k.

If we were physically fit I would just hire a Luton and DIY because even the necessary stuff is no longer of sentimental value to us.

Will we have sofas and beds though. Those are absolutely key.

But don't take shit, bashed up white goods, wardrobes, bookcases, desks, sideboards that you don't like. Given you can get most of those off FB marketplace for cheap to tide you over, it's sometimes just not worth the extra cost to move them.

I reckon I will be doing away with 40% of our stuff before we moved.

A lot of it started out lovely and got bashed between moves and I don't want to keep them due to memories of all the horrible homes we had to live in with this furniture.

MarinatemysoulinSprite · 29/04/2023 16:12

We are sort of doing this.

We're moving back to the UK from abroad and (probably) downsizing in the process.

We have sold loads of stuff and it is cathartic to be getting rid of it all and anticipating having some lovely new things that are appropriate to the house we buy.

The only major sticking point is a set of dining chairs that OH has some sort of weird attachment to. I hated them when we were given them (from a parent) 20 years ago and have managed to relegate them to the barn for the last few years....... but it seems they are still coming with us.

I would happily give them away for free (or give someone money to take them far, far away) and I'm definitely probably not secretly planning to have some sort of major paint spillage/other terminal disaster befall them before they make it on to the removal van 😈

Original poster

catinthesunshine · 29/04/2023 16:22

KievLoverTwo · 29/04/2023 16:10

As far as I am concerned, it's going to be the difference between moving a pretty full 3 bedroom house with a bunch of absolute crap I hate or moving a fairly light amount.

I have a man with a van quote for 1400 for the job; I imagine removal will quote 3.5k.

If we were physically fit I would just hire a Luton and DIY because even the necessary stuff is no longer of sentimental value to us.

Will we have sofas and beds though. Those are absolutely key.

But don't take shit, bashed up white goods, wardrobes, bookcases, desks, sideboards that you don't like. Given you can get most of those off FB marketplace for cheap to tide you over, it's sometimes just not worth the extra cost to move them.

I reckon I will be doing away with 40% of our stuff before we moved.

A lot of it started out lovely and got bashed between moves and I don't want to keep them due to memories of all the horrible homes we had to live in with this furniture.

Show quote history

Your first and last paragraphs are exactly how I feel!

OP posts:

Original poster

catinthesunshine · 29/04/2023 16:23

MarinatemysoulinSprite · 29/04/2023 16:12

We are sort of doing this.

We're moving back to the UK from abroad and (probably) downsizing in the process.

We have sold loads of stuff and it is cathartic to be getting rid of it all and anticipating having some lovely new things that are appropriate to the house we buy.

The only major sticking point is a set of dining chairs that OH has some sort of weird attachment to. I hated them when we were given them (from a parent) 20 years ago and have managed to relegate them to the barn for the last few years....... but it seems they are still coming with us.

I would happily give them away for free (or give someone money to take them far, far away) and I'm definitely probably not secretly planning to have some sort of major paint spillage/other terminal disaster befall them before they make it on to the removal van 😈

Could they fall off the removal van, possibly?!

OP posts:

MarinatemysoulinSprite · 29/04/2023 16:26

@catinthesunshine

Maybe I could slip the removers a few quid to "accidentally" lose them 😅

Tromso · 29/04/2023 16:27

MarinatemysoulinSprite · 29/04/2023 16:12

We are sort of doing this.

We're moving back to the UK from abroad and (probably) downsizing in the process.

We have sold loads of stuff and it is cathartic to be getting rid of it all and anticipating having some lovely new things that are appropriate to the house we buy.

The only major sticking point is a set of dining chairs that OH has some sort of weird attachment to. I hated them when we were given them (from a parent) 20 years ago and have managed to relegate them to the barn for the last few years....... but it seems they are still coming with us.

I would happily give them away for free (or give someone money to take them far, far away) and I'm definitely probably not secretly planning to have some sort of major paint spillage/other terminal disaster befall them before they make it on to the removal van 😈

What an unkind thing to do.

Greenpasture · 29/04/2023 16:28

I do this with every move - sell or donate 90% of furniture prior to moving.

It's

easier to move (less stuff)
easier to decorate (less stuff to move around)
no over-size or under-size wardrobes/drawers/tables to 'make fit'.

I buy new furniture once ready to, either ikea or excellent quality 2nd hand stuff, it's been a great method for me!

Muchtoomuchtodo · 29/04/2023 16:29

I would rather have a slightly tired piece of furniture than nothing in its place. Don’t underestimate how the small sosta of moving add up. You could end up living without things for quite a while.

I’m going to have to put my parents house on the market once probate is granted.

they bought mostly new stuff when they downsized a few years ago so I was going to offer any furniture that the buyer might want as part of the purchase.

if they don’t want any then fair enough but if they do then it’ll save me from having to get rid of everything.

Greenpasture · 29/04/2023 16:30

MarinatemysoulinSprite · 29/04/2023 16:12

We are sort of doing this.

We're moving back to the UK from abroad and (probably) downsizing in the process.

We have sold loads of stuff and it is cathartic to be getting rid of it all and anticipating having some lovely new things that are appropriate to the house we buy.

The only major sticking point is a set of dining chairs that OH has some sort of weird attachment to. I hated them when we were given them (from a parent) 20 years ago and have managed to relegate them to the barn for the last few years....... but it seems they are still coming with us.

I would happily give them away for free (or give someone money to take them far, far away) and I'm definitely probably not secretly planning to have some sort of major paint spillage/other terminal disaster befall them before they make it on to the removal van 😈

DH is attached to one small cabinet that comes with us. I loathe it but it's so small I can pop it somewhere out of sight...

Equally wondering what disaster can accidentally happen. I know it's not kind at all...

Glasshalffullorempty · 29/04/2023 16:30

Yes we did. The house is now exactly as we want it and now we don’t have to make purchases now.

Glasshalffullorempty · 29/04/2023 16:31

Apart from a few inherited pieces that is but they suited so it was all good.

MarinatemysoulinSprite · 29/04/2023 16:33

@Tromso

Why is it unkind?

They're horrible and very totally unlikely to go with whatever sort of dining table we end up buying so they will just have to be stored somewhere.

Wouldn't it be better for someone who actually likes/needs them to get the use out of them?

We'll be paying to cart them across the channel and most likely end up selling them - because they certainly won't be going in my new house.

Modda · 29/04/2023 16:37

We have just done exactly this. Only took our beds as they are only a few months old, and our freezer.

It's cost ££££ much more than we budgeted but the house does look lovely.

MarinatemysoulinSprite · 29/04/2023 16:39

Equally wondering what disaster can accidentally happen. I know it's not kind at all...

@Greenpasture Hmmm....well they could "accidentally" get painted with a thick layer of whatever the hell it is that wild boar eat and the door could "accidentally" get left open overnight.

Judging by the mess that the local boar leave around the oaks I reckon they could make pretty short work of some chairs!

Modda · 29/04/2023 16:41

Also be aware lots of sofas have lead times of ten weeks. We sat on deckchairs for a couple of months.

Also, Facebook market place has some great things for not much money too.

Surpriseparty · 29/04/2023 16:42

We moved from a 3 bed detached to a small apartment, so most furniture wouldn't have fitted. Like you, most of it was old anyway. We brought one piece of furniture with us and bought everything else new when we moved in. It's better to choose the furniture that goes well with your house, if you can.

chillibandit34 · 29/04/2023 16:42

Not exactly the same but I'm moving overseas in a few months and we are getting rid of all of our furniture and starting again, everything we have is pretty old and knackered as well.

I'm still happy to buy some stuff second hand when we get there but I'm not attached to anything we have at the moment.

Sgtmajormummy · 29/04/2023 16:58

I’ve lost count of the number of cheap fiberboard IKEA wardrobes we’ve bought and left behind. Equally, a set of basic Billy bookshelves has moved from study to bedroom to garage in different houses.
So there are no hard and fast rules. I would measure up the spaces in your less important rooms (utility, guest bedroom, playroom?) and see if you can make use of something you already have. Then you can spend more on the rooms you enjoy using. Kitchen upgrades are where you really feel the benefits, like stone countertops or intelligent use of cupboard space.
We decided to spend spare money on “forever” furniture when we were 15-20 years married. We got a solid bedroom set, a bookcase/display cabinet which also surrounds and noise-insulates the piano, a classic sofa and a good dining table with 6 chairs.
However we still have a 5x5 KALLAX (moved 4 times) for the tv and some refurbished second hand things in the kids’ rooms. They do the job and don’t look shabby.
We’ve also moved our light fittings several times. Good quality ones are £££.

Precipitate · 29/04/2023 19:30

I would take some stuff. You will be busy moving and without furniture you'll end up being unable to unpack. You will then have to spend time shopping for furniture. Potentially more time assembling it. You'll need to know what furniture you need whereas if you move in with stuff you have time to work out how you want each room to be. You'll probably end up compromising just because you've found something that will do.

Talia99 · 29/04/2023 19:43

I did. I kept a folding dining table (with chairs inside) and one bed. Everything else went furniture wise. Anything in reasonable shape got freecycled (bed, desk, various books etc), I then disposed of the rest (mattresses, sofa etc). The white goods were all fitted and stayed with the sold property.

In my case, I was moving into furnished rented (in a new area while looking for an house to buy) and my stuff was going into long term storage. I managed to get the things I was keeping down to a small enough pod it cost me less than £100 a month storage.

I’d keep a bed, a table and something to sit on (even if it’s just a couple of dining chairs) just because, as a PP says, it can take months to get a delivery - you don’t want to end up buying something you don’t like because it’s the only thing that can be delivered for when you need it.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 29/04/2023 19:55

I'd bring the basics: bed, couch, kitchen table and chairs. Don't underestimate how nice it is to have somewhere to plonk your arse, even if it's on something that doesn't fit with your aesthetic. And that way you'll have more time to make considered purchases rather than going to somewhere naff like Next or Oak Furniture Land and buying everything in one go.

Original poster

catinthesunshine · 29/04/2023 20:45

Thanks for all the replies and thoughts!

@Precipitate dont mind not being able to unpack everything at first. We don’t have that much stuff anyway as we’ve massively decluttered!

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