Preparing for Moving Day: Five Steps for an Easier Move; The American Furniture Manufacturers Association Offers Helpful Checklist

Furniture World Magazine

Summer is a time for picnics, barbecues, pool parties - and moving. Whether it's around the corner or to anew state, a move to a new home is exciting. When it comes to packing up your household belongings, there are many things people can do to help the moving process go more smoothly. The American Furniture Manufacturers Association (AFMA) suggests setting aside some time to decide what should -- and what should not -- make the trip. "Now is an excellent time to take stock of what you have accumulated over the years," says Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the AFMA. "Your goal should be to not move anything you don't really want or need." To help families get started, the AFMA has developed a checklist of some basic questions people should consider as they reprioritize -- and relocate -- their lives. Take inventory. A move is an ideal time to get rid of furnishings that no longer fit your lifestyle. You should only move the pieces that you love and want in your new home. Visualize your new setting. Unsure whether you'll be able to use some of your furniture in your new home? Compare the blueprint of your future home with your present layout. Is it larger or smaller? Compare room dimensions and the number of rooms as well as the general layout. How do you plan to use each room? What new items will you need to buy? Know your taste. Do you prefer traditional, contemporary or a mixture of furniture styles? Are you tired of the color scheme you picked out a decade ago and ready for a new look? Or maybe you are ready to discard furniture you got when you were newly married and invest in some pieces that reflect your current tastes. "For ideas, visit some furniture retailers and see how furniture is arranged in room settings as well as accessorized," says Hirschhaut. "You also can go to your local library or bookstore and peruse decorating books and magazines. They're another great source of inspiration." Assess your lifestyle. Do you have children living with you, or grandchildren that visit frequently? Do you enjoy entertaining family members and friends? Do you love to cook? How do you spend most of your time at home? Develop a plan. Start by deciding which rooms you spend the most time in, or which rooms are most important to you, and go from there. For many people, that means concentrating on furnishing the family room and kitchen. For people who do a lot of formal entertaining, it might be more important to refurnish the living room or dining room first. Maybe you're moving to a warmer climate and your priority "room" involves buying furniture for your deck or patio. AFMA's Hirschhaut says that even if you are not planning a move, you canfollow these steps to make your home better reflect your current tastes and style. "Remember," says Hirschhaut, "moving into a new home and furnishing it should be fun. It doesn't happen overnight. So take your time and enjoy yourself -- and set aside time for those fun summertime activities, like picnics, barbecues and pool parties." The American Furniture Manufacturers Association (AFMA) is headquartered in High Point, N.C. -- the home furnishings capital of the world -- and has more than 350 U.S. furniture members. These manufacturers represent a total of 150,000 employees and more than 75 percent of U.S. furniture shipments.