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What to do with old furniture before you move - Tingsapp Blog
Nov 8, 2025

How to Move Your Furniture in Vancouver: Tips for Selling, Donating, and Transporting Old Items

Planning a move often means making big decisions about your furniture. Should you keep it, sell it, donate it, or let it go? These choices can impact your moving budget, schedule, and how easily you settle into your new home.

While these tips offer general guidance for managing old furniture, Tingsapp is here to handle the physical move. Our goal is to make your relocation across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland simple, transparent, and stress-free.


Why Furniture Decisions Matter Before a Move

Furniture takes up the most space during a move and usually determines the truck size, labor time, and overall cost. Deciding what stays and what goes before your movers arrive can:

  • Reduce moving costs by minimizing volume and weight

  • Save time when packing, loading, and unpacking

  • Simplify your new home setup

  • Help your community through donations or reuse

If you start planning early, you’ll have more time to sell, donate, or responsibly recycle what you no longer need.


What to Do with Old Furniture Before You Move

Before moving day, go through each room and assess what furniture is truly worth keeping. Here are four main ways to handle unwanted items.


1. Sell It

If your furniture is in good condition, selling it can help offset moving expenses.

Where to sell in Vancouver:

  • Online marketplaces: Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist allow you to connect with local buyers quickly.

  • Consignment stores: Some shops resell gently used or vintage furniture on your behalf for a small fee.

  • Community boards: Check local groups or neighborhood apps where residents buy and sell household items.

Tips for successful selling:

  • Take bright, clear photos from multiple angles.

  • Write short, accurate descriptions with dimensions.

  • Price items fairly based on condition and market demand.

Selling locally not only recoups some of your moving costs but also helps ensure your furniture continues to be useful instead of ending up in storage or a landfill.


2. Donate It

If selling isn’t your priority, donating furniture is a meaningful way to give back. Many charities and nonprofit organizations in Vancouver accept used furniture to support families in need.

Trusted donation options include:

  • Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Accepts furniture, appliances, and building materials, with proceeds funding affordable housing across BC.

  • Salvation Army Thrift Store: Offers pickup services for large furniture donations and resells items to support community programs.

  • Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver: Accepts smaller household items and may provide donation pickups.

  • Local shelters and community centers: Many appreciate usable furniture like beds, tables, and sofas.

Before donating, make sure items are clean and in good condition. If you’re unsure whether a specific charity accepts certain pieces, call ahead to confirm.

You can also check Metro Vancouver’s donation and recycling resources for verified drop-off centers.


3. Recycle or Dispose Responsibly

If furniture is damaged, broken, or no longer usable, recycling or proper disposal is the best option. Throwing large items on the curb is not only discouraged but can result in city fines.

Responsible options include:

  • Municipal pickup programs: The City of Vancouver and nearby municipalities often offer bulky-item pickup. Schedule it through your local city services page.

  • Recycling depots: Take metal bed frames, wooden furniture, and mattresses to a local recycling depot or Eco-Centre.

  • Junk removal services: Licensed companies can haul away damaged items safely and ensure materials are properly recycled.

For details on large item disposal, visit the City of Vancouver waste collection services page.


4. Give It Away

Sometimes the easiest way to part with furniture is to give it directly to friends, family, or neighbors. Post your items in local community groups or offer them on “Buy Nothing” networks. It’s quick, sustainable, and often appreciated by students or newcomers.


How Tingsapp Simplifies Moving Your Furniture

Once you’ve decided what stays and what goes, you’ll still need a reliable way to move what’s left. This is where Tingsapp makes all the difference. Founded in 2023 by local movers with over a decade of experience, Tingsapp was created to make moving affordable, transparent, and stress-free for everyone in British Columbia.

Here’s how Tingsapp can help with your furniture and overall move.


Residential Moving for the Big Stuff

Tingsapp offers full residential moving services for houses, condos, and apartments. Whether you’re transporting a full household or just a few key pieces, we can help with:

  • Furniture delivery and couch moving services

  • Home-to-home relocation

  • Marketplace pickups for large items you’ve sold or bought

Our movers handle everything from loading to unloading, saving you time and effort.


Fixed, Upfront Pricing

Unlike traditional movers who offer hourly rates or shifting estimates, Tingsapp provides fixed, upfront pricing with no hidden fees.

You’ll see your total cost before confirming your booking. There are no added service charges or day-of surprises, making budgeting simple for moves of any size.

To understand how fixed pricing makes moving easier, read From Booking to Unpacking: How Tingsapp Simplifies Your Move.


Flexible Scheduling and Easy Booking

Tingsapp’s platform is available 24/7, allowing you to book your move any time — last minute or up to 30 days in advance.

All bookings can be made online or through the app without calls or quotes. This flexibility is perfect for furniture deliveries or coordinating around buyer and charity pickup schedules.


Reliable, Background-Checked Movers

Tingsapp connects you with professional, vetted movers across Metro Vancouver. Every mover is:

  • Background-checked for safety and reliability

  • Skilled in handling and transporting furniture safely

  • Equipped with dollies, furniture pads, and straps to protect your belongings

Our movers treat every piece with care, ensuring your items arrive safely at their destination.


Comprehensive Full-Service Moving

Tingsapp’s movers handle:

  • Loading items from your location into our truck

  • Safe transportation to your destination

  • Placement of items where you want them in your new home

You won’t need to worry about heavy lifting, parking logistics, or truck rentals — we handle everything for you.


Local Vancouver Expertise

As a Vancouver-based company, Tingsapp understands local building regulations, parking restrictions, and traffic patterns. We serve communities throughout Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, including:

Vancouver • Burnaby • Richmond • Surrey • Coquitlam • Langley • New Westminster • North Vancouver • Delta • Maple Ridge • Pitt Meadows • Port Coquitlam • Port Moody

Our team’s local knowledge ensures smooth, efficient moves every time.


What Tingsapp Doesn’t Cover

To keep our moving process efficient and focused, Tingsapp does not currently provide:

  • Packing or furniture assembly services

  • Appliance installation or disconnection

  • Moving of specialty items like pianos, safes, or pool tables

  • Storage services or long-term holding

  • Labor-only loading or unloading for rental trucks or pods

Customers should have items ready for pickup before movers arrive to keep the process quick and simple.


How to Prepare Furniture Before the Movers Arrive

You can help ensure a smooth move by preparing your furniture properly.

  • Clean and empty all items: Remove drawers, clothes, or personal items.

  • Disassemble large pieces: Take apart bed frames or tables if possible.

  • Protect fragile surfaces: Use blankets, bubble wrap, or moving pads.

  • Clear pathways: Make sure hallways and entryways are open for movers.

  • Label furniture pieces: Note which room each item should go to in your new home.

For more preparation tips, read Moving Day Essentials Checklist: Stress-Free Moving Tips for Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.


Final Thoughts

Deciding what to do with old furniture before a move can save you money, time, and stress. Selling, donating, or responsibly recycling unwanted items ensures your move is efficient and environmentally friendly.

Once you’ve decided what to keep, Tingsapp is here to help with everything else - from transporting your remaining furniture to setting it up safely in your new home. With fixed pricing, trusted movers, and full-service convenience, moving across Vancouver has never been easier.

Download the Tingsapp app today or visit tingsapp.com/order to book your move with confidence.

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