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When you move into a new place, the cost of buying or renting it is just the beginning. The next big expense is furnishing it, which can add up to thousands of dollars, especially if you have a large family.
However, there are ways to save money on furniture, and even get it for free. You can look for second-hand furniture in local thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. You can also check out furniture rental services that offer affordable options for short-term use.
Another way to save money is to purchase furniture during seasonal sales or clearance events. If you enjoy DIY projects, you can also try repurposing old furniture or building your own pieces from scratch. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can furnish your home without breaking the bank.
Where to get free furniture near you & online
If you need furniture but don’t have the budget to buy it, there are various ways to get it for free. While Craigslist is a popular platform for finding inexpensive or free furniture, there are other ways to get furniture without spending a dime.
Whether you’re looking for a new couch or a bookshelf, there are both online and offline resources that can help you get the furniture you need without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll explore some of these methods in detail so that you can learn how to get free furniture near you.
1. The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a globally recognized non-profit organization that works to better society by providing aid to people in need. The organization offers various services and programs to assist people who are homeless, struggling with addiction, or dealing with financial hardships. One way The Salvation Army helps people is by accepting donations of clothing, furniture, and household goods.
If you are facing financial difficulties and need assistance with furniture, you can contact The Salvation Army to inquire about furniture vouchers. These vouchers can be used to obtain furniture from The Salvation Army store free of cost. This is a great relief for people on a low income who cannot afford to buy furniture.
To find out if you can receive a furniture voucher, contact your local Salvation Army office. They can guide you through the process and provide the necessary information. The Salvation Army’s mission is to assist people in need with compassion and respect, and they are always ready to help.
2. Freecycle
Freecycle is a website that operates on the principle of sustainability. It encourages people to reduce waste by giving away items they no longer need and allowing others to obtain them for free. This platform connects people who are looking to recycle their old items with others who are searching for free stuff. The website is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to make a positive impact on the environment by reusing items.
Freecycle allows you to find a wide range of items for free, such as furniture, electronics, clothing, and much more. The website’s core mission is to promote reuse, which is not only better for the environment but also helps people in need acquire essential items. Freecycle is an excellent platform that fosters community spirit and promotes sustainable living.
3. St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul is a reputable Catholic volunteer organization that has been providing assistance to millions of people in need for many years. With numerous locations throughout the United States, this organization has become a go-to resource for individuals and families who require assistance.
In particular, the St. Vincent de Paul Community Furniture Bank in Dayton, Ohio, offers furniture to those who are in need of it. If you are looking for their locations, you can visit their location page, which is easily accessible on their website. At the bottom of the page, you will find a list of all the locations where this organization provides its services. When you click on a particular location, it will take you to their website, where you can view the services that they offer, including contact information that will enable you to get in touch with them for any help you may need.
4. Your local church
If you find yourself in a situation where you are struggling to acquire furniture for your home, a great option to consider is visiting your local church. Churches are known to be great resources for free stuff in general, as they have a desire to help those in need within their community.
You can explain your circumstances to them and ask if they know of any way you could get free furniture nearby. If the church is unable to donate anything directly, they may be able to direct you to the right resource.
Churches often have connections with other organizations that provide assistance to people in need, so they could be a valuable resource in your search for furniture. Don’t hesitate to ask them for help if you need it!
5. Goodwill
If you’re struggling to afford furniture, Goodwill is an excellent organization that can help. Goodwill accepts donations of furniture and other household items from individuals and businesses, and they’re often willing to give these items away to those in need.
In some cases, Goodwill may provide a voucher that you can use to purchase furniture at a local store. This voucher can be a great way to get free or discounted furniture. If you’re interested in learning more about Goodwill’s furniture assistance program, you can contact your local Goodwill and speak with a representative who can provide more information.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help getting the furniture you need.
6. Craigslist
Looking for free furniture? One way to get it is by checking the Craigslist page for your city or the nearest city. Craigslist is known for being a platform where people sell their stuff, but you can also find free items, including furniture, on there.
To find free furniture on Craigslist, start by going to your city’s main page and searching for the phrase “free stuff” in the search bar located on the left side of the screen. From the drop-down options, select “free stuff” in the “for sale” category, and you’ll get a list of free items, including furniture.
For instance, at the time of writing, there was a sectional sofa available for free on the Washington D.C. Craigslist page. So, if you’re willing to put in some effort, you may be able to find excellent free furniture deals on Craigslist.
7. Ask on social media
If you’re looking for furniture but don’t want to spend any money, there’s a simple way to get it for free in your local area. Many people have furniture that they no longer want or need, and you can take advantage of this by simply letting people know that you’re looking for free furniture.
You can start by reaching out to your family members, friends, and acquaintances to see if they have any furniture items that they’d be willing to donate. Don’t be afraid to upload a post on your Facebook page or other social media platforms, asking if anyone has any furniture they’d be willing to part with. You might be surprised at how many people are happy to help, especially if they know their furniture is going to a good home.
Just be sure to inspect the furniture carefully before accepting it to ensure that it’s in good condition and meets your needs. With a little effort and some luck, you can furnish your home for free and save a lot of money.
8. Check out College Campuses on Move-out day
During moving days in college towns, you can come across a wide range of items that the students no longer need. Since the students vacate their dorms and apartments in the spring and have nowhere to store their furniture in the summer, it is highly likely that you will stumble upon a vast selection of items. You can discover anything from small kitchen appliances to larger pieces of furniture like sofas, bed frames, and bookshelves.
Late summer and early fall, when apartment leases switch over, are another great time to find free furniture. Many discarded chairs, desks, tables, and couches in great condition, many just left on the sidewalk, can be found. You might also find other useful items that students leave behind, such as lamps, mirrors, and wall art.
It’s worth noting that some colleges and universities even have designated areas where students can leave their unwanted items during the move-out season. These areas are often called “free stores” or “swap shops.” So if you’re looking for free furniture or other household items, check if your college or university has a similar program.
9. Visit the Thrift Store
Thrift stores are often limited in space to store donations, especially larger items such as furniture. When a thrift store receives a large donation, they may struggle to make room for these items, and as a result, they may offer bargains on the items that take up too much storage space.
At times, they even give these large items away for free to clear up some space. Therefore, if you’re willing to help them by hauling away an item of furniture, they may be willing to give it to you for free.
To see if your local thrift stores have furniture items they are willing to offload for free, simply call a few and inquire. This way, you can save money and help a good cause at the same time.
10. Check out Yard Sales
Yard sales are a great option to explore when looking for cheap furniture. These sales usually occur in someone’s front yard or driveway, where they sell items they no longer need or want. If you’re patient enough to wait until the end of the day, you might be able to snag a real bargain. By this time, the sellers are usually exhausted and eager to get rid of their stuff. They might be willing to lower their prices significantly or even give away items for free.
In addition to buying furniture, yard sales can be a great opportunity to sell your used appliances for cash. If you have appliances sitting around your home that you no longer need, you could miss out on some extra cash. Selling them at a yard sale can be a convenient way to get rid of them while making some money in the process.
When you’re shopping at a yard sale, keep in mind that the prices are usually negotiable. Don’t hesitate to ask the seller if they can lower their prices. You might be surprised at how much you can save by negotiating. You could even offer to haul away an item for free, which could convince the seller to give it to you for a lower price.
Overall, yard sales can be a treasure trove of affordable furniture and appliances. By keeping an open mind and being willing to negotiate, you can find some great deals and save a lot of money.
11. Visit Storage Facilities
Have you ever seen the reality TV show Storage Wars? The show involves auctions for storage units, where buyers bid on entire storage units in the hopes of finding valuable items. However, it is quite likely that they may only find a few valuable things in the entire lot. As a result, some buyers may offer to dispose of unwanted furniture or other items for free in exchange for the chance to keep the items that they find valuable.
If you are interested in attending one of these storage auctions, you can use AuctionZip.com to search for upcoming events in your area. Additionally, you can contact storage facilities in your locality to inquire about any upcoming auctions. This way, you can attend storage auctions and potentially score some amazing finds at a fraction of the cost, while also helping the buyers get rid of unwanted items.
12. Ask for Gift Cards
If you have been thinking about upgrading your home furniture but don’t have a budget for it, here’s a useful tip. The next time your friends or family members ask you what you want for your next birthday or Christmas, you could let them know that you need some new furniture.
Ask them to consider getting you gift cards for a specific furniture store or any store that sells furniture. This way, you can accumulate enough funds to purchase the furniture you need and want.
Gift cards are an easy and convenient way to receive money to spend on furniture. You can choose your own style and design. Plus, it’s a great way for your loved ones to contribute to your home décor and help you create a comfortable living space.
13. Check out Reddit
Reddit boasts several sections, including the Barter and Recycle forums, where users can discover available free items. Additionally, the Gift Card Exchange section offers an excellent opportunity to trade in unused gift cards for free furniture.
Whether you’re looking for household items, electronics, or even clothing, Reddit is a treasure trove of free goods, waiting to be discovered. So, if you’re looking to save money or snag a good deal, Reddit is definitely worth checking out!
14. Check with people who are moving
When you come across a post on social media, such as Facebook, where someone you know is moving to a new place or informing you about the same, it’s always a good idea to ask them if they have any furniture that they won’t be taking with them. In most cases, when people move, they have at least one piece of furniture that they don’t need anymore. This could be because the furniture may not fit in their new home, or they may just want to get a new one.
Regardless of the reason, you could potentially get a piece of furniture for free or at a really low cost. This way, you could help your friend or family member get rid of the furniture they don’t need while also getting a good deal for yourself.
15. Ask on online forums
If you need free furniture, one way to find it is to reach out to your online forum friends. If you are an active forum member, consider posting in the most relevant section or in a general thread to let others know that you are searching for furniture. Some forums may even have a specific section for members to sell or trade items, which can be a great place to post your request.
By doing this, you may be able to find furniture that others are willing to give away for free, or you may find someone who is willing to trade or sell furniture at a low cost.
16. Look out for Spring Clean up Events
In certain communities, Spring Cleanup events are organized annually to help residents get rid of unwanted items in an eco-friendly manner. The event usually takes place in a public location, such as a park or community center, and invites local residents to bring in items such as used furniture, appliances, and electronics that they no longer need or want.
The idea behind these events is to reduce waste by encouraging people to recycle or donate their unwanted items to those who may need them.
Additionally, Spring Cleanup events can be an excellent opportunity for people to find free used furniture and other household items in good condition. To find out about upcoming Spring Cleanup events in your area, check your local community calendar or website.
17. Earn gift cards and use them to get free furniture
Did you know that various rewards websites, such as InstaGC and Swagbucks, pay you for doing easy and fun tasks? These tasks range from completing surveys to watching videos, shopping online, browsing the internet, and playing games. By spending some time on these websites, you can accumulate points that can be redeemed for gift cards from a wide range of retailers, including those that sell furniture, such as Amazon.
The best part is that you can use these gift cards to buy furniture without spending a single penny from your pocket. You can save up your gift cards and use them to buy furniture, at no cost. This is a super easy way to get your furniture for free while having fun and earning some extra cash. So why not try it and see how much you can save?
18. Heroes Warehouse
Heroes Warehouse is a wonderful non-profit organization dedicated to helping formerly homeless veterans furnish their homes with donated furniture at no cost. The organization accepts both new and gently used furniture, so anyone can donate furniture to help veterans in need. This is a wonderful way to give back to those who have served our country and are now in need of assistance.
Heroes Warehouse works with veterans to identify their specific furniture needs and then provides them with the items necessary to make their homes comfortable and livable. This not only helps veterans feel more at home but also ensures that they have a stable foundation upon which to build their lives once again.
Overall, Heroes Warehouse is an exceptional organization making a real difference in the lives of veterans nationwide.
19. Local furniture banks
If you are in need of furniture but are unable to afford it, local furniture banks can be a great resource to consider. These banks work towards helping those who are struggling financially, including families and individuals who are moving out of homelessness, moving from transitional housing, living with HIV/AIDS, victims of natural disasters or fire, those who have lost their jobs, victims of domestic violence who are relocating, and foster children who are aging out.
Several furniture banks provide free furniture to those in need. NW Furniture Bank in Tacoma, Washington, Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, and Furniture Bank of Ohio are a few examples. You can easily find a furniture bank near you by doing an internet search for your city or state, followed by the phrase “furniture bank.”
These furniture banks rely on donations from individuals and businesses. Once they receive the furniture, they sort and distribute it to the people who need it. If you want to donate your furniture, you can contact these banks and arrange for a pickup or drop-off. The Furniture Bank Association of North America is also an excellent website to find furniture banks near you.
By utilizing these resources, you can get free furniture and make your life a little more comfortable.
20. Ask your friends to ask their friends
If you need furniture but don’t have the budget to buy new pieces, consider reaching out to your social circle for help. Ask your friends and family to let everyone know you’re looking for furniture and to keep an eye out for anyone looking to offload unwanted pieces.
You never know who might have a spare couch, table, or chair they want to part with. Your friends and family might also know someone who’s recently moved and needs to get rid of furniture quickly. By tapping into your personal network, you increase your chances of finding affordable furniture that meets your needs.
21. Check Facebook Groups
If you’re looking for ways to save money, finding free items can be a great option. Fortunately, there are many Facebook groups dedicated to helping people find free stuff.
One such group is ALL free stuff, which is definitely worth checking out. In this group, you can find various free items, including mattresses, beds, and furniture. What’s more, at the time of writing, there were several posts on the group page offering a free kitchen table, TV, sofa, and dresser.
If you’re interested in finding even more freebies, you can do a search for free stuff groups on Facebook. With some effort, you can discover a treasure trove of free items that can help you save money and live more frugally.
22. Red Cross
If you have suffered losses due to a natural disaster and need furniture replacement, you may be able to receive assistance from the Red Cross. The organization supports disaster victims by providing essential items such as furniture, clothing, and other necessities.
The process for seeking assistance involves contacting your local Red Cross chapter and providing details of your situation. Once your needs have been assessed, the Red Cross will work with you to provide the necessary support quickly. This can be a great help in getting your life back to normal after a natural disaster.
23. Facebook Marketplace
If you’re looking for free furniture, Facebook Marketplace can be an excellent resource. Although the platform is mainly used for buying and selling goods, there are also listings for free items available. By browsing through the different categories, you can find a wide range of furniture items that people give away for free, including chairs, tables, sofas, and more.
Some items may be gently used, while others may be in relatively good condition. It’s important to note that when using Facebook Marketplace, you should exercise caution and follow safe practices when interacting with potential sellers.
24. Habitat ReStores
Habitat ReStores is a chain of nonprofit reuse stores locally owned and operated by independent Habitat for Humanity organizations. These stores offer a wide range of high-quality merchandise to the public, such as appliances, furniture, home decor, tools, and building materials, at a fraction of the retail price. All of the items sold in the ReStores are donated by individuals, businesses, or organizations, and the proceeds from these sales help fund Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building safe, decent, and affordable homes for families in need.
When you shop at a Habitat ReStore, you’re not only getting great deals on quality goods, but you’re also helping to support a worthy cause. Habitat for Humanity partners with local families and volunteers to build, rehabilitate, and repair homes in communities worldwide. By purchasing donated items from the ReStores, you’re directly contributing to this effort and making a positive impact on your community.
25. LetGo or OfferUp
If you’re looking for affordable furniture in your area, LetGo, a part of OfferUp, can be a great resource to explore. By using their search feature and filtering items from the lowest to the highest price, you may find a variety of free or low-cost furniture pieces that can spruce up your living space without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re looking for a new couch, a dining table, or a set of chairs, browsing the LetGo listings can help you find a deal that fits your budget and style preferences. You can also connect with local sellers, ask questions about the furniture, and arrange for pickup or delivery at your convenience.
Ashley furniture free bed assistance program
It’s worth noting that some furniture stores offer programs to support low-income families and victims of natural disasters by providing them with furniture.
One such program is Ashley Furniture’s Hope to Dream Program, which gives away free beds to children and families in need. This is a wonderful initiative that could benefit many individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet.
If you are interested in finding out whether you qualify for this program or would like to know more about participating stores in your area, visit this page for more information.
Free furniture giveaway
If you have an extra piece of furniture that you no longer need or use, why not consider donating it to someone in need? While it may not get you any free furniture, it can help make a significant difference in the lives of struggling people. By donating a bed, table, couch, sofa, or any other furniture item, you can help a needy family create a cozy and comfortable living space that feels like home.
To find a family in need, you can start by asking your local church or charity organization for a list of families who might need your help. You can also contact your friends and neighbors to see if they know anyone who could benefit from your donation. By reaching out to these resources, you can help connect with the people who need your help the most. Remember, even a small gesture, like donating a table or couch, can make a big difference in someone else’s life.
The bottom line
If you’re looking to furnish your home or office on a budget, you might be surprised to know that there are plenty of ways to get free furniture. Whether you’re in need of a new sofa, a bookshelf, or a dining table, there are several options available to you. One of the best ways to get free furniture is to check websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, where people often give away furniture they no longer need.
You can also check with local charities or non-profit organizations, as they often accept furniture donations and may even be able to deliver the items to you. Another option is to attend community events or yard sales, where you might be able to find free furniture or negotiate a low price with the seller. Additionally, some furniture stores offer free furniture giveaways or promotions, so it’s worth checking with them as well. With a bit of patience and persistence, you can furnish your space for free or at a minimal cost.