After a major clean-out, you have a pile of things to get rid of. But should you sell them or donate them? A professional organizer weighs in on how to make the best choice for your time and your sanity.

Selling Versus Donating: A Pro Organizer’s Guide to Decluttering

After completing a major home clean out, you might be wondering whether it is worth selling some of the items you’re looking to part with or donating them. Generally speaking, it all comes down to time—something that New York City professional organizer Millie Naor, the founder of Bella Organizers, details further below. 

Should You Sell or Donate Your Stuff? A Pro Organizer's Guide

Here, Naor explains her philosophy and general practices as it pertains to clients who are looking for the best way to get rid of stuff when moving. Her advice and professional organizer tips on selling vs donating spans two distinct groups:

1) Those completing standard organizing projects and 

2) Those moving long distances. 

Tackling General Organizing Projects

Most people could benefit from the occasional clean out session. Whether they're suffering from an overflowing closet, are preparing to combine spaces with a partner or welcoming a child, or simply have the urge to streamline things a bit! 

When clients ask for tips on how to decide to sell or donate clothes, she encourages people who own designer items that are in good shape to consider selling them via sites like The RealReal, Poshmark, or eBay, or through Facebook groups and consignment stores. 

“When clients are decluttering, they’ll often ask about selling things like designer handbags, shoes, and clothing,” Naor says. However, taking the time to list items and sift through responses isn’t for everyone—or every item. 

Her pro organizer advice? “If you’re in a time crunch or the items are lower in value, donating might make more sense," Naor says. 

It is also important to consider whether or not you have room to store the items you’re looking to part with until they sell. (After all, if you’re listing things on Poshmark, eBay, or Facebook, you’ll have to hold onto them until an order comes through.)

If keeping things on hand simply means that you’ll never actually part ways with them, doing a donation run is probably in your best interest. 

Additionally, small space dwellers will want to consider whether holding onto unneeded items will cramp their style. Those living in larger homes may be able to create a designated area in a closet or basement for things pending sale. 

Preparing for an International or Cross-Country Move:

Those who are decluttering for a long-distance move such as moving overseas or across the country are likely looking to downsize to a much more extreme degree than your average declutterer. Selling furniture before moving cross country might seem like a daunting task.

“With international moves, things tend to move fast,” Naor says. 

Many of her clients will choose to donate the bulk of their belongings to save time during what is generally an overwhelming process. Of course, she urges those parting ways with higher-value items to try to sell them if they can. 

“Potential buyers might be right in front of you,” she explains. “Perhaps your neighbor or doorman would be interested in your flat screen or bike.”

As it pertains to homewares, there is always the possibility that those purchasing or subletting your home will be interested in taking a few—or many—things off of your hands. 

“On a cross-country move, my clients sold their furniture to the new tenant,” Naor says. A setup like this can be a true win-win, as your pieces are already to scale and both parties will save hefty furniture moving fees!

The key takeaway from Millie Naor's advice is that there's no single right answer for everyone.

The best choice between selling and donating ultimately depends on your personal circumstances. By considering the value of your items, the amount of time you have, and your storage space, you can make a decision that not only clears your home but also fits seamlessly into your life. Whether you're decluttering a closet or preparing for a big move, a thoughtful approach will ensure your clean out is a true success.

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

July 26, 2025     Updated 11:08 AM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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