Moving to a Smaller Flat: Choosing Furniture and Planning the Space
Senior moves part 2
From 90 square metres to 50 – how the essentials fit
Downsizing with a plan
A move in later life usually leads to a smaller flat – often from the family flat into two rooms or into assisted living. The key question is then not "What do I throw away?" but "What fits into the new rooms?". If you know the floor plan of the new flat and measure your own furniture, you can make this decision objectively. We help with dismantling, transporting and reassembling the selected pieces – more on this under Private move.
During the survey we look at what is to come along and then quote a fixed price. The clearer the selection, the more accurately the volume can be estimated – and the smaller the lorry often becomes. Whatever is not coming along can go to the family beforehand, be sold or be collected as part of a house clearance. For the transport we are liable under the German Commercial Code (HGB); additional insurance for valuable pieces is available on request.
Arrange a survey: what comes along determines the price
Fixed price after a survey of the furniture
During the free survey we go through the flat together and note which furniture is moving to the new flat. Call us on 01625978461. You then receive a fixed price tailored exactly to this selection.
Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.
How we help with downsizing
Only move what fits
When downsizing, every centimetre counts. During the survey we measure large furniture such as the wall unit, sofa and bed and compare them with the floor plan of the new flat. Anything too large can sometimes be taken apart or reassembled in a shorter form – or it stays behind. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handle the transport at a fixed price after a survey. You can see whether your destination has its own page in the locations overview.
Measuring
Assembly service
Senior moves
House clearance
Six steps to choosing furniture
Downsizing is easier with a fixed order. These six steps have proven themselves when moving to a smaller flat – from the floor plan to handing over the remaining furniture.
Get a floor plan
Measure the furniture
Favourite pieces first
Leave room to move
Distribute the remaining furniture
A plan for moving day
When only a little comes along: part load
Downsizing
without regrets
Part 2 on the senior move to a smaller flat is about the practical side of downsizing: how do you measure, which furniture takes priority and what do you do with the rest? We show how a simple furniture plan on squared paper or on the computer prevents arguments in the family and shortens moving day. Moving into assisted living is part of it too, where room size and permitted furniture are specified. If the new home is further away, you will find tips under Long-distance moves.
A plan on paper
Dismantle, shorten, rebuild
What to do with the rest
Frequently asked questions about downsizing for a senior move
Floor plan and tape measure: choosing furniture objectively
Many seniors face the task of parting with a large share of their possessions. It becomes easier if you do not start with throwing things away, but with the destination: get a dimensioned floor plan of the new flat, measure the large furniture and draw it in to scale. It quickly becomes clear whether the wall unit fits against the wall or whether two smaller cupboards are the better choice.
Start with furniture that is needed every day and holds personal memories. Only then is the rest distributed. Relatives can help with measuring and drawing; but the decision about favourite pieces should stay with the person who is moving. That way the move in later life does not become a burden.
Barrier-free move into assisted living
Moving into a senior-friendly flat or residence requires special planning, for example regarding door widths, steps or lift options. We check all structural conditions in advance to make the transport run smoothly.
If required, we also coordinate with care facilities or relatives so that moving in happens on schedule and without stress. You can find more information about our services under Private move.
Moving prices – smaller volume, smaller price
Fair and transparent: for a 4-room flat you pay from €1,279, for 3 rooms from €894, for 2 rooms from €605 and for 1 room from as little as €349. For houses and villas we always prepare an individual quote, as needs vary greatly here. For long-distance moves we charge from €3.95 per kilometre. It is best to clarify all details during a free survey.
How the choice of furniture affects the costs
Several factors count for a realistic cost estimate: the volume of your household goods, the distance to be covered (from €3.95/km), the floor and whether there is a lift. Sometimes a parking restriction zone is also needed to make the transport run smoothly. Furniture assembly and a part load also affect the final price.
Services for downsizing
From dismantling the large furniture to collecting whatever no longer has room:
- Furniture transport – Furniture transport
- Part load – Part load
- House clearance – House clearance
- Office move – Office move
- Private move – Private move
- Move with assembly – Move with assembly
Downsizing and moving – to another city too
We are based in Berlin and bring the selected furniture to its destination nationwide. Destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview, long distances under Long-distance moves.
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