15 ways to get free furniture for your home!
Furniture is expensive! But, if you work hard and get creative, you can furnish your home for free, or at least almost free.
As you might know, we’re currently living with my father. But I am already planning ahead to our next house. I want to furnish and decorate the entire home with used furniture and repurposed home decor. It’s like a game to me. I love the challenge of making something beautiful without spending a lot of money on it.
For now, I’m upcycling small pieces of furniture to sell in our local shops.
Want to join me in this challenge? Read the following list and start thinking about where you can find some free furniture.
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Where to Find Free Furniture
Just a little warning before we get to the free furniture. Some of this will NOT be in good condition. Most will need a good cleaning and paint. Some pieces will require a little more work. Be prepared to get dirty and put in a little elbow grease.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a great place to buy and sell furniture but there’s also an entire free section under the “for sale” heading. I just checked for my local area and found LOTS of free sofas, some chairs, a few nightstands, and many more smaller home decor items.
Facebook Marketplace
Go to Facebook Marketplace and type “free” + the item that you’re looking for. Most of the free furniture I’ve found have been large items that not many people want — hutches, armoires, pianos, etc. Some are in rough shape which I don’t mind. I’m usually looking for something to paint anyway.
But watch out! Facebook doesn’t do a very good job of filtering the listings. For example, when I search for “free table” there were some free desks and tables for sale mixed in with the results.
Facebook Groups
- Local Buy/Sell/Trade Groups
- Local Buy Nothing Groups
For either of these groups, type “buy sell trade [my city or county]” or “buy nothing [my city or county]” and you’ll see your local groups. You can then type what you’re looking for into the group search box to see if anything is available. Most will also let you post an ISO (in search of) request.
Friends/Family
You could also just post a request for furniture on your own Facebook account and ask your friends and family if they have what you’re looking for. Even if they don’t, they might know someone who has it.
{{{See a complete list of what’s in my toolbox and supply cabinet.}}}
Freecycle
Freecycle is a smaller online forum where EVERYTHING is free. It’s run by volunteers and the nice thing about Freecycle is that it is local. This makes it much easier to find things close to you.
Side of the Street
I commonly ran across free furniture on the side of the street when we lived in the suburbs. Just make sure it really is free. If you’re not sure, knock on the door and ask.
Find out when the large pickup day is and get out in the neighborhoods EARLY that day.
Dumpster Diving
Especially apartment complexes at the end of the month and college campuses at the end of a semester.
Beware… check your local laws. I’ve heard that dumpster diving is actually illegal (believe it or not!!!) in some places.
Garage Sales
Check garage sales, yard sales, and rummage sales at the end of the day. Some sellers would rather give their stuff away than have to haul it away themselves.
Gift Cards
If you’re saving up for a large piece of furniture, ask your friends and family for gift cards for your birthday and/or Christmas.
Three Apps
I haven’t used these myself, but my daughter and son-in-law have found a lot of their furniture on these apps.
- Nextdoor App
- OfferUp App
- Letgo App
Furniture Banks
If you have a financial need or have become homeless for any reason, there are furniture banks across the country that can help you furnish a home.
Other Charities
Similarly, a local church, Salvation Army, the Red Cross, or Goodwill can provide furniture for those in need.
More About Used or Free Furniture
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these:
- How to Clean Used Furniture
- 9 Thrift Store Furniture Makeovers
- 5 Amazing Goodwill Furniture Makeovers
- How to Reupholster a Chair
- Decorating on a Budget
Thanks for reading! If you know of more places to get free furniture, please leave a comment and let me know.
‘Til the next project,
Kathy A says
I have picked up several treasures curbside! I love the word “junkernecking” and ask my SO to slow down on trash days! I was in our local Re-Store once and a couple came in with some kind of vouchers for furniture; so those in need can get furniture. Don’t know more.
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks for sharing! Glad to “meet” someone else who loves junkernecking!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
Great post! I have found a few items curbside. Most have come from yardsales, and thrift stores, but now I have some more ideas.