In spite of lockdown orders across the nation, over 15 million people have moved since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that anyone with a reliable internet connection can telecommute to work, a home’s proximity to the office is just not as important as proximity to family and a good quality of life. So it’s little wonder Americans across the country have been relocating to new houses and apartments.

But whether you’re expanding into a new suburban home with designated office space plus larger kitchen and yard, or downsizing into a city apartment closer to friends and family, moving is never fun. It can, however, be painless.

And knowing what to bring and what to leave behind can make the difference between a frustrating or smooth moving experience. Bring the antique and sentimental memorabilia, leave the worn-out pieces behind, and buy from your new local furniture stores.

What to Bring

To both mentally and physically lessen your moving workload, try to only bring items that either serve a necessary function or--as Marie Kondo would say--spark joy. And know that this doesn’t have to be an all out purge. Think in terms of “editing” rather than “deleting.”

Some items worth bringing might be:

• Antique furniture - These are nearly impossible to replicate and very often worth a lot of money. But they can also be difficult to transport. If your heirlooms and antiques simply can’t be moved to your new home, or physically will not fit in your new space, it’s the perfect time to bestow your friends and family members with antique gifts.
• Unique furniture and decor - Handmade crafts or second-hand furniture would likely fall under this category. These are the pieces that have more style than function, but that you enjoy having around regardless. Maybe it’s an item you or a family member created, or a cherished vacation souvenir, or a great flea market find.
• Expensive artwork - Definitely keep the expensive paintings and decor. Still think about size, though. Keep in mind that at the end of this editing process everything you bring should comfortably fit within your new space.
• Personal memorabilia - These are the personal items that hold a cherished story or memory. They may be relatively low-cost but have a high sentimental value. No need to throw away those photo albums or baby blankets.

What to Leave Behind

The goal here is to lessen your packing and make the moving process simpler. Leave behind the old, the worn, and the useless.

Some items that might fall within these categories are:

• Throw-aways - Forget the cheap, plastic, low-quality items that were once bought out of an immediate necessity. Unless you have a plan in place for how that item will be used, or it holds some kind of sentimental value, throw them away.
• Useless tools - If something is only rarely used (or never), has become obsolete, or is perpetually on your fix-it list, it’d be better left behind. These might include your ancient landline phone receivers, for example, or a rarely used crockpot or printer, or that 32-piece cake decorating kit you bought after a particularly inspiring season of The Great British Baking Show.
• Clutter - These are the bits and bobs that always amass after living in the same space for a few years. I’m talking about dishes, cookware, towels, toys, magazines, holiday decorations, clothing, toiletries, and books. Definitely bring some of these with you, just not everything. And leave behind all the gifts you’ve been keeping out of guilt or obligation.
• Heavy and bulky furniture - Depending on moving distance, heavy or oddly-shaped items run a high risk of damage during transportation. So leave those bulky desks, cabinets, and armoires behind (or sell them via eBay/Craigslist) and replace them with more lightweight, mobile pieces.

What to Buy

Purchasing new furniture and decor should be a fun process, not a necessary chore. Try looking through local furniture stores to avoid even more shipping and packing stress. Or better yet, buy through your new local online furniture stores.

HelloBaru.com offers a selection of desks, dressers, side tables, bed frames, and storage closets. And everything is manufactured locally to you. In other words, whatever item you order from their website will be custom-made (with your desired measurements and finishes) at a facility in your area, then delivered to and assembled at your new home.

Moving is hectic for everyone, whether cross-country or down the street. And the last thing anyone wants after weeks of planning and packing is a complicated, time-consuming hurdle. Which is why Baru aims to make online furniture shopping a flexible, fast, affordable, and easy option.