Do you want to find free furniture? Here are the best places to get household furnishings at minimal to zero cost.
Brand-new furniture sure is pretty, but it can also be expensive. When you have more pressing financial matters to attend to or you just don’t have room in your budget for them at the moment, then try searching for free furniture near you instead.
In fact, almost all of our furniture in our house in Puerto Rico were hand-me-downs, which saved us thousands of dollars!
With some research and resourcefulness, your next TV stand, couch, and coffee table wouldn’t cost you anything!
Get FreeFurniture Vouchers
One of the best places to start finding free furniture is to find out if you qualify for free furniture vouchers. These are vouchers that allow you access to cheap or free furniture donated by non-profit organizations to low-income families.
Do You Qualify for Free Furniture Vouchers?
There are plenty of free furniture programs all over the country, but not everyone qualifies for those free furniture vouchers, which are discount coupons that aid low-income families in obtaining cheap or free furniture.
These programs are heavily inclined toward low-income families. According to Gov Relations, you need to meet certain criteria to obtain a free furniture voucher:
- You are a single parent
- You do not own any furniture, or you currently do not have the furniture you are looking to acquire
- You are at home with a patient
- Your income is lower than the median income in the area
Where to Get Free Furniture with Furniture Vouchers
There are plenty of places where you can get free furniture using a furniture voucher. Most of them are Catholic charities and nonprofit organizations. Since many people are displaced from their homes due to natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, these vouchers give them some financial respite to get back on their feet by not spending on furniture.
Most of these charities and organizations accept donated furniture and then give them to qualified low-income families.
1. Heroes Warehouse
Heroes Warehouse is a nonprofit organization that helps homeless veterans and their families. The organization has helped thousands of families furnish their homes with donated, gently used furniture. Heroes Warehouse accepts donations of almost all furniture types, forms, and sizes, including coffee tables, chairs, couches, lamps, and more. But due to the threat of COVID, the organization does not accept donated beds and mattresses.
Visit their website if you and your family are qualified to free furniture.
2. Goodwill Industries
Another good place to use your furniture vouchers is Goodwill Industries, which is located in every state in the country. Goodwill Industries accept donated furniture and distributes them to qualified applications.
Goodwill does not issue vouchers to people. Instead, you can apply for one through non-profit social service organizations. You are required to furnish some documents to prove your circumstances for needing free furniture, whether you’ve lost your job, been a victim of domestic violence, or experienced natural disasters. There is some waiting time for you to get your voucher (about 4-8 weeks). After that, you can get free furniture at the Goodwill store indicated on your form.
3. Saint Vincent de Paul
Saint Vincent de Paul is another great place to find free furniture using your vouchers. The organization accepts furniture donations which they sell or distribute to qualified low-income individuals. In partnership with various thrift stores and furniture banks, Saint Vincent de Paul aims to help struggling families in helping them elevate their living conditions by giving them access to free furniture.
4. Crisis Assistance Ministry
Crisis Assistance Ministry is an organization that aims to help the needy move towards self-sufficiency. It is also one of the best places to obtain free furniture and even appliances. The organization accepts all kinds of donated items, so it’s likely to find free beds, a free couch, and other free items here. If you are an eligible recipient, you can save money finding household furniture here instead of buying them yourself.
5. American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a well-known organization that responds to disasters. It offers medical and emergency relief to people who face all sorts of disasters. As part of their efforts to help displaced individuals get a semblance of their normal lives, the organization also offers eligible individuals free household items and furniture.
6. Salvation Army
Your local Salvation Army may also offer free furniture. Give them a visit and inquire whether they offer furniture vouchers. Most people who qualify for these vouchers face tough financial difficulties or may have suffered from disasters like fire or flood. If you are eligible for a voucher, then you can get free furniture and other free items from this organization.
7. Furniture Banks
Furniture Bank Association is a well-known nonprofit organization that operates across the country. The goal of Furniture Bank is to collect unwanted furniture and prevent waste by donating them to people in need. Not only is this a more eco-friendly practice of disposing of old furniture, but it’s also humanitarian as it aims to help people in need.
There’s a massive network of free furniture banks all over North America, and it’s highly likely that there’s a local furniture bank near you. If you qualify, you are able to choose among furniture donations and find something that fits your taste or theme at home. Also, you can choose to pick up furniture or have them delivered to your address.
8. Ashley Furniture Hope to Dream
There are furniture stores that help the needy and underprivileged gain access to unused furniture, and one of these is Ashley Furniture Hope to Dream. Ashley Furniture is a well-known brand, and this specific program is inclined towards giving qualified kids new beds so they can sleep better at night.
So the new beds go to underprivileged kids who are between 3-16 years old. They also come from low-income families and were nominated by a social or church worker or a charity. If you belong to this category, you could try getting a nomination and perhaps win a new bed from Ashley Furniture.
Other Places to Find Free or Cheap Furniture
If you do not belong to a low-income family, you might not qualify for furniture vouchers. But don’t worry, I’ve listed down all the best possible places to get free furniture (or at least discounted furniture), so you can save money!
9. Thrift stores
Local catholic charities, nonprofit organizations, and private individuals donate old and gently used furniture to thrift stores all the time. Thrift stores try to make some money by selling them at discounted prices, but sometimes, this is not always possible. These stores need to move inventory and make room for new stuff, and donated furniture typically takes up such a huge space.
Thrift stores usually offer free furniture when they need to clear up space. So if you want to score some free furniture online, you can visit the thrift store’s website or call before coming. Also, express that you’re more than willing to haul the free furniture yourself from the thrift store, and you’ll most likely get them without spending a dime.
10. Yard Sales
Going to a yard sale is also another fantastic way to find free furniture near you. Many people do yard sales after spring cleaning or before moving, so you want to keep an eye on them. They can’t always bring old furniture with them when they move, so they sell them off cheaply.
But the best way to really score free stuff from garage sales is by the end of the day when the sale is about to close. Owners often don’t have the energy to put those things back in storage, so they’ll likely offer them to you for free! Well, a
11. Freecycle
Using Freecycle is another great way to get free furniture. It is a nonprofit organization that connects millions of people from all over the world. It is particularly useful for people getting rid of stuff and those who are looking for free stuff. So instead of things being discarded to landfills, you can turn to Freecycle and score free furniture.
Whether you want to save money on furniture or live on a low income, Freecycle presents a fantastic alternative to buying furniture. On this platform, you can join groups consisting f people within your town or area. They post furniture they want to get rid of, and if you’re interested, you contact the member and arrange for pickup. Alternatively, you can post that you’re looking for a particular piece of furniture, and someone in that group may reach out to you to offer theirs.
You can join a few groups at a time, but you can leave and join new ones if you cannot find what you’re looking for.
12. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is also an amazing platform to score free furniture near you. You simply use the search bar, enter the name of the furniture, and it will generate a list of list items that are being sold by other Facebook users.
A lot of people are selling their stuff on the Marketplace, but there are also others who post them for free for anyone who’s willing to pick them up. So if you want to find free couches, rugs, chairs, and other household furniture, then Facebook Marketplace is one of the best places to search.
13. Facebook Groups
Facebook groups act like online forums for people with similar interests. It can also be an amazing venue to find free stuff, including furniture! For example, joining Facebook groups within your community or area gives you access to information for when people barter or trade their old furniture with fellow group members. If you find a dresser you like, you could hit up the poster with an offer. Some people utilize Facebook groups just to connect with others who might be interested in hauling old furniture from their residences. So if you’re looking for free furniture online, you should definitely join Facebook groups!
14. Craigslist
Craigslist doesn’t have the best reputation because some people use it for scams, but if you are alert and careful, you can find free stuff here, including furniture and household items.
The best thing about using Craigslist is that you can localize your search. So you go to the page for your city and enter the keywords on the search bar. You can just type in “free stuff” and browse through all the results. Many of these things are expectedly for sale, but there are also people who don’t have the time and energy to dispose of large items, so they’re giving it away for free.
The disadvantage of using Craigslist is that you’re not really sure who you’re talking to because email addresses are masked (unlike on Facebook, where people actually make profiles). So if you’re negotiating to pick up free things from a poster, make sure to stay alert, do it in the daytime, and bring a buddy with you.
15. LetGo
LetGo is a fantastic platform that people use to sell stuff they want to let go of. The selection of things you can find here varies wildly — from clothes, electronics, and furniture!
Now, there’s a section of LetGo where people post things they are disposing of for free! So keep your eyes peeled on this section so you can grab the next best furniture that gets listed. But if you’re willing to spend some money, there’s also a good chance that you could buy nice furniture for cheap.
16. NextDoor
NextDoor is a genius app that allows people to buy, sell, and give away stuff. The best thing is that it is super-localized, so you’re interacting with people on the app who are your neighbors!
Neighbor has a section called Free Finds, where people can list items they give away for free. If you see something that catches your eye, go ahead and talk to that neighbor on the app. You could also post what you’re looking for, and your neighbors will reach out to you with their offers.
17. Local Storage Facilities
Local storage facilities are surprisingly fantastic places to get furniture for free.
You see, owners often bid on storage units that have been abandoned or have not been paid by renters. In most cases, the contents of these units are auctioned off to the highest bidders so that storage owners can get rid of that stuff quickly.
But furniture is often overlooked because it is heavy, massive, and can be a hassle to move. In this case, the owner or staff might be happy to give free furniture to whoever is willing to haul them.
It’s good to search for storage units auctions online or contact local storage facilities and inquire about upcoming auctions. Get friendly with the staff, and leave your contact details so they can reach out to you whenever furniture becomes free for grabs.
18. Curbside and Dumpster Diving
Did you know that some people put out perfectly good furniture right down the sidewalk — as trash? Yep, you can pick those up too and bring them home, hopefully before the trash collectors beat you to it.
If you’re also familiar with dumpster diving, you’d also realize that you can get free furniture by going through other people’s dumpsters. For example, people who live in an apartment building might throw away useful household items because they can’t bring them when they move. This is a nice chance to score furniture for free!
Tip: Don’t be discouraged if you find something with minor cosmetic damage. You can always buy fresh paint or new handles for cheap. Well, that costs almost next to nothing. You can give discarded furniture a new look and personality by upcycling them!
Related Posts:
9 Best Places to Dumpster Dive and Hunt Useful Stuff
19. Visit local churches
It’s also wise to visit your local church if you’re financially constrained to get furniture. Local churches receive furniture donations from church members, and they could be able to spare some for you. If this is not the case, your local church might help connect you with community poverty organizations and local groups who could further assist you in securing second-hand furniture for your home.
20. College Campuses
College students bring so many things to their dorms or apartments when they start studying. But when they leave their dorms in spring or before they graduate, students are no longer bothered bringing that furniture back home.
Many students discard furniture that is still in good condition right by the sidewalk. You could potentially get desks, chairs, and other furnishings there. Keep an eye out for when students are moving out, take a stroll around college campuses by that time, and you might just get a nice piece of furniture.
21. Watch Out for Estate Sales
Another awesome event you must look out for to find free stuff is an estate sale. Basically, an estate sale happens when the assets at home are being auctioned or put on sale. You can find a lot of household furnishings and supplies here at great deals.
And like in yard sales, sellers on estate sales do everything they can to sell the items. But if there are still some left, they’re motivated to give those away for free. So it’s best to swing by to look at stuff, stay until the end, and see if you can snag some free stuff.
22. Swap with Your Friends
Doing a furniture swap is also a great way to save money on buying furniture. It is a fun and fair game where you gather your friends around, ask them to bring their furniture and swap it with something of yours that they like.
What I love about this method is that you know where your furniture came from. It could bring some sentimental value to you knowing that your friend loved this piece of furniture that is now sitting in your home. Plus, it is a great way to style your home without spending money.
23. Form a Registry
This method does not apply to everyone, as it is more fitting for couples or families who are about to hold a housewarming party. Friends and family would want to get you housewarming gifts, but they’re unsure what you would like. Well, a registry solves that problem. Direct them to your Amazon wishlist so that your guests can get you something you will truly love.
Alternatively, you could subtly hint that you’d like gift cards so you can use them when shopping. Some people find giving gift cards impersonal, but when they’re unsure what to give you, a gift card works best!
24. Ask Family and Friends
Finally, you could ask your family and friends (and friends of friends) if they are letting go of some furniture soon, especially if they are moving. Now, all you need to do is ask! Chances are, they want to get rid of some furniture anyway, so it’s just timely that you’ve expressed your desire to get them. Tell them that you’re willing to haul or pick up the furniture to spare them the hassle, making it a win-win for everyone.
Conclusion
Whether you’re furnishing your new home on a budget or are in a tough financial spot right now, knowing where you can get free furniture is indeed a life-saver. You’re paying rent, you’re putting food on the table, and sending kids to school; surely, cheap or free furniture can make a difference in your budget!
If you’ve grown tired of your furniture or have finally saved up for new ones, please consider paying it forward by giving your old furniture to those in need. You might think that you’re just giving away an old couch, but it could mean so much to those who need it!
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