Moving or Just Re-Decorating? What to Do with Old Furniture

Everyone who owns furniture eventually faces the dilemma of what to do when replacing it with something else or when they simply don’t want it anymore. Unfortunately, used furniture can be difficult to sell or even donate.

One reason is that styles change quickly. That upholstered couch that seemed so trendy five years ago is now outdated. Another reason is that even a single stain or tear on a piece of furniture can be a deal-breaker for those who might have considered buying it otherwise. However, refurbishing or getting rid of unwanted furniture is not impossible.

Donate It to a Community Rummage Sale

Holding a garage sale just to sell unwanted furniture can be a lot of work. A better idea is to check local community listings for churches, schools, or other organizations looking for donations for an upcoming sale. In most cases, the owner would only need to deliver it to the location and then be done with it. It’s important to check with the event organizer first to confirm this since he or she might expect people to pick up any unsold items.

Check with Local Theater Groups

High schools, college, and community groups with a theater department might appreciate a donation of pre-owned furniture to use as props in future productions. The donor can feel good about this choice because it keeps furniture from ending up in landfills and helps to support the local theater scene.

Refinish or Repurpose It

Furniture that has gone out of style or that doesn’t match the décor of the owner’s new living space can get a whole new look and live on. A fresh coat of paint or some new fabric might be all that it needs. People with the time and skills can even do the refurbishing themselves.

Another idea for an unwanted piece of furniture is to turn it into something else. For example, an old travel trunk could work well as a side table, coffee table, or an antiques display while an old locker could be a great place to store shoe collections.

Place an Ad Online or in a Local Publication to Sell It

People often check online publications for cheap used furniture. As long as the seller is honest about its quality and asks a reasonable price, he or she may be able to offload it that way. Besides making a little bit of extra money, one benefit of doing so is that the buyer will usually come to pick it up.

Hire a Private Junk Removal Company

The easiest and quickest way to get rid of old furniture is to hire a private junk removal company to pick it up and haul it away. There is no effort other than scheduling the appointment and no chance of the owner getting stuck with something he or she no longer wants. It also benefits the environment because the junk hauler will do everything possible to keep the old piece of furniture out of local landfills. Finally, this is one of the only options that is tax-deductible.

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