Out with the old and with the new! It may sound simple, but we all know that the process isn’t always so easy when moving, downsizing, or just redecorating your home. Luckily, deciding what to do with your old furniture doesn’t have to be complicated.
Donating your furniture contributes to local charities and helps families with a smaller budget decorate their homes with furniture that’s still in decent condition. Not to mention, it prevents furniture from ending up in landfills.
If you’re looking to get rid of that old couch or those bulky appliances, here are the best places to donate furniture and what to keep in mind to save you from unnecessary headaches.
1. Nixxit Donation Pick-up
Nixxit is a certified woman-owned green business committed to creating a more sustainable future with its eco-friendly practices and policies. Often, other donation programs will take donated items that go unused and take them to a landfill. Nixxit’s donation pick-up does all it can to recycle, reuse, or repurpose the donations we receive.
This donation program is fee-based or included in Nixxit’s standard in-home junk removal pickup service pricing. Instead of calling around donation centers and determining which items they’ll accept, Nixxit comes to you to sort these items out and deliver them to whoever it can benefit most.
Nixxit’s donation pick-up is perfect for those that want to donate and simultaneously get rid of their junk sustainably and efficiently. If that sounds like you and you’re in the Bay Area, call us or book online today.
2. Goodwill
With more than 118 years in business and over 3,200 stores in the nation, Goodwill Industries International is a long-time established organization that almost anyone can find in their town.
With their donations, Goodwill can resell these items to the local community at highly discounted rates in one of their many stores or online. The proceeds go toward funding their community programs, helping people overcome barriers in the workforce, receive job training, and sign up with employment placement services.
More commonly known for their clothing and smaller household items, Goodwill also accepts furniture at their drop-off centers that you can find on their site. Some locations will even offer complimentary pick-up services for large furniture, although most in the Bay Area do not. Check with your nearby Goodwill donation center to find out what options are available for you.
3. Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Located in all 50 states and even internationally, Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization with the goal of uplifting and stabilizing communities by providing safe and sustainable housing to those in need.
Donations made to this organization go up for sale at Habitat Restores, where anyone can go and find items like building materials, furniture, and appliances at affordable prices. The money generated from their home improvement stores allows them to carry on their mission of building and repairing homes for unsheltered families and impoverished individuals.
Every Habitat for Humanity is different regarding what donations they will accept. Check in with the one in your neighborhood to confirm they’ll accept your furniture. If your furniture is too large for you to take to the donation center, pick-up services are available once a week in some states. You’ll need to schedule ahead of time, either online or over the phone and usually send photos of your items beforehand for their approval.
4. The Salvation Army
The longest-standing charity on our list, The Salvation Army, is a Christian- based nonprofit that has been around since 1865 and has over 1,500 Family Stores here in the U.S. This organization covers a wide range of categories they aim to assist, such as:
- Domestic Abuse Survivors
- Human Trafficking Victims
- Homeless Shelters
- Rehabilitation for Addicts
- Hunger Relief
- Natural Disaster Victims
- At-Risk Youth
Furniture donations to this organization help furnish their housing shelters or go up for sale in The Salvation Army Family Stores, which directly finances The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers. Find a drop-off location near you to donate here.
5. Pickup Please
Pickup Please is a donation program and extension of Vietnam Veterans of America or VVA. The money generated by Pickup Please goes to VVA programs that assist all U.S veterans, regardless of their age or the war they’ve fought. Their programs focus on funding medical care and assisting veterans with a disability or experiencing homelessness.
If you’re looking for someone to pick up your smaller household items fast, Pickup Please offers free donation pick-ups in the Greater Los Angeles area of California and generally has a quick turnaround of 24 hours.
Locations for this program are limited and the donations accepted are also limited by their weight and size. For small and light furniture like nightstands and office chairs, see if Pickup Please has a location in your area.
6. The Arc
Founded in 1950, The Arc is a nationwide company with over 600 chapters at state and local levels. This community-based organization is passionate about protecting and advocating for the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Furniture donated to The Arc gets sold at various thrift store locations throughout the country. The funding generated by their stores supports the organization’s wide range of disability inclusion programs. These programs aim to provide individuals with disabilities with all the education, support, and tools needed to promote their independence and full engagement in society.
If you’re interested in donating your furniture to The Arc, you can visit their website to find a local chapter that can accept your item. Not all chapters accept physical donations, but the ones that do typically offer free pickup as well.
7. The Furniture Bank Network
Furniture Banks is a network of charities that believe that regardless of the circumstances people are facing, everyone deserves to have a furnished home.
Every furniture donation to the Furniture Bank goes to a registered organization that supplies it to families and individuals who can’t afford to furnish their homes. The Furniture Bank Network strives to provide gently used furniture to people facing any kind of hardship, such as:
- Low-Income Families
- Domestic Violence Victims
- Immigrants
- Unemployed
- Previously Homeless
- House Fire Survivor
- Robbery Victims
- Natural Disaster Victims
Furniture Bank has locations in 34 states throughout the U.S. Depending on the area and Furniture Bank, donation pickups may cost a small fee. Other locations provide this service for free. If you want to rehome your furniture, consider donating it to a Furniture Bank if one is available in your area.
What to Keep in Mind When Donating Furniture
Confirm the Organization Accepts Your Donation Type
Not every organization accepts all items. By the same token, not every donation center accepts the same items as other branches, even in the same brand.
The best thing to do is to call or check out their website to confirm the organization accepts your donation type. It will save you a trip and a whole lot of frustration.
Condition of Items
When donating to a charity organization, it’s crucial to assess the condition of your items and determine whether or not they’re acceptable. Furniture should be gently used and in good shape. Most places won’t accept items with missing parts, visible tears, stains, or lingering odors from pets or cigarettes.
Remember, the purpose of donating your furniture isn’t to get rid of your junk; it’s to give your unwanted items a second life and the opportunity for someone else to cherish them!
Items Commonly Not Accepted
Depending on the organization and the state you live in, the charity of your choice may not be able to receive your donation. Common items that most centers won’t accept are as follows:
- Outdated Electronics
- Large TVs
- Mattresses
- Box Springs
- Bed Frames
- Chemicals/Paint
- Unframed Mirrors/Glass
- Personal Care Items
- Built-In Appliances
Generally, you can find a list of acceptable items on the donation center’s website, or a quick phone call to the organization can answer any questions you may have.
Tax Write-Offs
According to the IRS, donating to a charitable organization can be tax deductible! To save some money come tax season, ensure you receive a receipt from the nonprofit and store it in your records.
Need Help Donating Furniture? We Can Help!
Nixxit is the sustainable solution for your donation pickup and junk removal needs. Contact Nixxit to learn about pricing for in-home donation pick-up services and take that old furniture off your hands and into the ones who need it most!
