There are many reasons for wanting to get rid of furniture. Purchasing a new piece is one. Another is downsizing, in which the furniture is not needed any longer. A familiar tale we hear is the new owner of a family heirloom that was passed down does not want it. No matter the reason, unwanted pieces of furniture commonly reach the same fate: the landfill. In fact, between 9.7 and 10 million tons of furniture in the United States end up in the landfill each year. However, there are alternative solutions, such as selling, donating, or refurbishing.
You Can Sell Your Unwanted Furniture
Before detailing how to sell a piece, we must inform you that it is quite challenging for an individual to sell furniture and receive a meaningful amount back. The market for used furnishings is very minimal. Sometimes, the effort to photograph, advertise, and sell the piece, not to mention the time spent with a prospective purchaser, can outweigh the monetary profit.
If selling still sounds feasible, then first, you must find a buyer. To do so, the best approach is to take several pictures of each piece and share them where prospective buyers are looking. This could be via the internet or old-fashioned store-to-store. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Mercari, and eBay are some digital options. That route usually results in the selling process landing on your shoulders. A more hands-off approach is select thrift stores and resale shops. Some shops will purchase pieces up front, while others will take pieces to be sold on consignment. Where you sell your unwanted furniture depends on how much time and effort you are willing to invest.
Donate It
Donating your unwanted furniture can help people in need find furnishings. Goodwill and Salvation Army are two that come to mind. Depending on the assistance organization, the piece may need to be in good condition. Many donation organizations can fix small repairs, but pieces needing replacement parts and having noticeable damage may be rejected.
Or Refurbish the Piece
Refurbishing is an option if you would like to keep the piece, but the appearance needs a new look, whether that’s repairing broken parts or updating the fabric. There are two ways you can do this: do-it-yourself or let a professional take care of it. As a furniture restoration shop, we can repair, reupholster, and refinish a piece to your desired look if it has a strong foundation. You can read about what to look for here or send us pictures of your project. We will tell you if we can refurbish your old furniture.
Do What You Can to Give Unwanted Furniture a New Home
Not every piece of furniture is salvageable. In that case, it should be tossed to the curb. But the landfill is not the end-all-be-all. There are other alternatives for unwanted furniture that keep it out of the landfill and give it a new home. We advise you to toss, sell, donate, or refurbish based on what is best for you and your piece of furniture. It is, in the end, your choice.