Do you get an image of a house crammed with furniture and household goods when you think of your grandparents’ homes? Do you have memories of rooting through old trunks in your grandparents’ cellar or attic and wondering that their ancient wardrobes would open into Narnia?
You might be asking how you can get rid of all the old furniture for free, or at least extremely cheaply, if you are in the position to dispose of them if they become ill or pass away.
People who maintained items made up the previous two generations. They saved items as a precaution for another economic downturn, repurposing them when necessary. Their fondness for collecting items serves as a way to showcase and share their treasures.
When you’re a youngster, searching through houses full of stuff can be entertaining, but as an adult, seeing a house full of stuff might make you feel anxious. You know that one of your family members will eventually have to sift through each item and choose whether to sell, donate, or discard it. What do you do with all of your belongings from a lifetime? How can you get rid of everything, especially used furniture?
Here are some suggestions for getting rid of surplus stuff. Here are some ideas on what to do with the furniture if you’re clearing out the home of a recently deceased family member or taking part in a Swedish death cleaning of your own property.
What to Take into Account Before Getting of Old Furniture
We are all aware of how simple it is to dispose of furniture in a home by hiring someone to pack a truck and drive the things to the landfill. Think about these things if you are tempted to do this.
Discuss topics with those that are emotionally meaningful to you. Even if you may be the legal owner of every object in a given home, don’t get rid of anything without first consulting anyone who might have an emotional attachment to it.
Maybe your child wanted to save the crib they slept in so they could use it for their own children. The rocking chair that once belonged to your mother may be desired by your sister.
Find out what things can be valuable financially. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Antique Roadshow, you’ve probably seen viewers who were shocked by the price of some of the household objects they brought to the program. Check your possessions to check whether you have any antiques.
Set a deadline for disposing of the home objects. The amount of time you have to devote to the project may influence how you dispose of the objects. If one of your siblings wants to clean your parents’ house and go through each item one at a time while the other doesn’t have the time or desire to do so, this might become a point of disagreement.
Find environmentally friendly solutions: Instead of throwing the objects in the trash, think about how they can be recycled, reused, or repurposed.
1. Share Sentimental Stuff with Loved Ones and Friends.
Check to discover whether other family members would like to own the things or family relics before getting rid of them, such as your grandmother’s antique foot sewing machine or the grandfather clock that was always in the hallway of your parents’ house.
Make sure they are aware enough to decide by explaining the item’s history to them.
Pro tip: If several people desire to own the same thing, it can be difficult. There may have been other family members who received the same promise, and the item is not included in the will. Fighting about issues has ripped apart families. Unfortunately, there is typically no quick fix for this issue.
2. Help Other Family Members with their House Furnishings
Is your nephew preparing to enroll in college? He undoubtedly would adore getting your old living room furniture. Has the child of your cousin just married? She could require a table for her kitchen.
Pro tip: You have no ownership rights over something you give away. If your daughter decides to paint the chest of drawers that you painstakingly restored to its original wood, you can’t be angry about it.
Additionally, the two shaggy German Shepherds that belong to your sibling would want to lounge on your pricey leather couch. Always keep in mind that someone else’s rubbish could be your treasure. That also applies to your old furnishings.
3. Conduct an Estate Sale
You may want to think about holding a live or virtual estate sale if you also need to get rid of certain home items in addition to the furniture. Open the rest of the house to potential purchasers and remove the items you want to keep.
Because they are aware that a variety of products would be available, some purchasers are more inclined to attend an estate sale than a garage sale.
Pro tip: Prepare yourself for customers who will “nickel and dime” you to death. This might not be the greatest option for you to get rid of old furniture if you don’t like haggling.
4. Organize a Garage Sale
At a garage sale, what do you sell? In addition to selling books, children’s products, and home decor, many people also decide to sell furniture.
Pro tip: If they lack the means to relocate it, some people might not be able to purchase furniture from a garage sale. Think about having someone accessible who is strong and has a car big enough to help your buyer transfer heavy objects.
5. Selling Things Online
Create a listing for your goods on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Next Door, or another neighborhood marketplace website.
Pro tip: When selling stuff to strangers outside your home, use caution. Before the buyers arrive, at the very least, think about relocating the item onto the driveway or into the garage. Additionally, make sure there are several persons present at home throughout the transaction.
6. Items can be Donated to Charities
Donating old furniture to a charitable organization is one of the greatest methods to get rid of it. Before you pack up an old TV to bring to a drop-off location, be sure you are aware of what Goodwill accepts.
Giving to a charity is a particularly effective way to get rid of things when relocating. When you have to leave your house by a certain time, you might not have the time to fiddle with a garage sale or Facebook marketplace.
Some philanthropic organizations will take up donations as well. For elderly people who lack the means to handle heavy objects, this can be especially useful.
Pro tip: Make an itemized list of the donations you make to the nonprofit. So that you can use it for tax purposes, keep the donation certificate connected to your itemized list.
7. Reuse the Object
Perhaps the fact that your TV is mounted on the wall means you no longer require an old TV armoire. Look for inventive uses for the piece of furniture on Pinterest rather of tossing it in the trash.
Pro tip: For instance, a brief online search finds that individuals use TV armoires as play kitchens, pantries, sewing stations, and bathroom storage.
8. Set the Item Out on a Day when Large Trash is Picked Up
Large, unwanted goods may be left on the curb one or two days per year in some cities and regions. Find out when the big-trash pick-up day in your community is.
Pro tip: The thought of your substantial piece of furniture ending up in a landfill might not sit well with you. However, on certain days, some people prowl the streets and steal things before the garbage truck even shows around.
9. Put Things Out on the Curb with a “Free” Sign.
Even if there isn’t a large-trash pickup day in your neighborhood, you might be able to get rid of unwanted goods by setting them out on the curb with a notice. As previously noted, post on a neighborhood website like Next Door or Craigslist to inform neighbors that you have some items outside that are free.
Of course, this is a hazardous strategy because, if no one accepts the item, you might need to get it back into your house right away or risk getting in trouble with the neighborhood association.
Pro tip: Before moving objects to the curb, consider the weather. Nobody wants a wet couch.
10. Offer Family and Friends the Appliances
Despite its worn-out appearance, the refrigerator that has been in your parents’ house for 25 years may still be functional. So give it away for free to family and friends. Some people might be in need of a new appliance and consider the gift a blessing. Others might be content to outfit a lake cottage or cabin with an older model of equipment as a “garage fridge.”
Pro tip: When transferring a refrigerator, avoid laying it on its side. If you don’t intend to plug it in at the new location straight away, make sure to leave the door open.
11. Advertise on the Marketplace
Try posting an advertisement on Facebook Marketplace if you don’t have any family or friends who would be interested in the appliances. Free service is offered here.
Include a lot of information in your advertisement, such as the appliance’s age and model number. Include numerous photographs as well. The more details you provide in the advertisement, the less likely it is that interested parties will bombard you with queries.
Even if the appliance is broken or no longer works, you should still post an ad on Marketplace. (However, be careful to include that in the advertisement.) Some people make a living by selling their repaired but damaged appliances. The appliance might be desired by others for usage as spare components or for sale as scrap metal.
12. Donate Functional Equipment to Worthy Causes
Appliances are not accepted by all charity that collect household goods for sale. So do your homework before packing your truck and driving to a donation location.
Expand your search if the local thrift store won’t take used appliances. Ask if any appliances are required by domestic violence or homeless shelters by calling them. A local animal shelter is another place to inquire.
Call the church offices in your areas as well. People turn to churches in times of need, and you never know how much a person with a broken stove may appreciate your donation.
13. Donate Unused Mattresses in Good Condition
Donation locations accept mattresses in good condition. Some even come to your place and pick up the item. Before you schedule a pickup, thoroughly inspect the mattress to determine if it’s suitable for donation.
Contact local shelters if household donation centers in your area won’t accept secondhand mattresses in good shape. For anyone who have stuff they would like to donate to a family in need, churches are a terrific place to start.
Consider your options carefully before attempting to donate a mattress in poor condition to a charitable organization. These groups don’t want useless things.
14. Donate the Mattress to an Animal Shelter or Humanitarian Group
Some animal rescue organizations accept old furniture and mattresses to provide bedding and comfort items for animals. Of course, before you fill up the mattress, get in touch with the company to inquire about their requirement for such a thing.
This kind of contribution has the advantage that animal organizations might not be as particular about the mattress’s condition.
15. Recycle Facility
Find recycling facilities for mattresses in your area. These facilities extract the wood and metal from the building. Some of these recycling facilities have a minor service charge. Simply think of the payment as a donation to a really deserving cause.
16. Discuss Mattress Disposal While Buying your Next Mattress
Ask the salesman if the delivery service would remove your old mattress for free if you’re in the market for a new mattress. Some companies provide this service without asking for payment. Others can use this service during the negotiation process.
17. Advertise on the Marketplace
We are aware that you would prefer that your used mattress not end up in a nearby landfill. So, as a last resort, you may post an advertisement on Facebook Marketplace for your old mattress. Share images of the mattress and give a precise description of its state. Never forget that someone else’s treasure may be someone else’s garbage!
Remove Old Furniture While Preserving Memories
You might wish to start shrinking as you get older and approach your death. You might feel anxious about getting go of your priceless possessions, but once you do it, you might feel less burdened.
Maintaining a clutter-free home is easier. A dwelling with fewer possessions is also safer. You can have someone empty the top cabinets shelves so that you don’t have anything underfoot and keep everything in places that are simple to get to.
Clearing unnecessary items from your home in advance allows for a swift relocation in case of sudden health issues.
Do not neglect to begin your end-of-life planning as you prepare your home for your golden years. Ensure your will includes explicit instructions for the distribution of your furniture and other belongings after your passing. The more end-of-life planning you do, the simpler it will be for your loved ones to deal with your passing.
