TOP 10 WAYS TO GET FREE FURNITURE AND DECOR
I believe everybody should be able to make their space beautiful and comfortable. When money is limited, sometimes you can only afford furniture or decor if it is FREE! Personally, I have used many of these strategies to get amazing free items for my home. I hope this list empowers you with new ideas of how to get free stuff. Jump to the bottom of the list for more of my thoughts about free stuff!
1. BuyNothing
BuyNothing is an organization that has local Facebook communities in most locations. Within the group, people offer items for free, and you can also ask for specific items that you want. To have the highest chances of getting items for free, it helps if you are the first person to comment on an item. If you are serious about getting free furniture, I recommend regularly checking BuyNothing, especially on weekends. The more often you check, the higher the likelihood that you will not miss an item you want. Find out more on buynothingproject.org or by searching BuyNothing on Facebook.
2. Facebook Marketplace
I’ve actually gotten quite a few items for free from Facebook Marketplace itself. If you search “free” + bed, you might find a free bed. Searching “free” also trains the algorithm to let it know that you like to see “free” listings. The next time you refresh your marketplace feed, you’ll likely see more items that are free.
It’s important to work really fast when you see a free posting, and to have good facebook marketplace communication.
3. Curbside Finds
The Pacific Northwest, where I live, is known for its curbside giveaway culture. It’s common knowledge that anything in the curb strip or on a street corner is being given away first come first serve. To find free items this way, I recommend going on daily neighborhood walks so that you will be more likely to find items more quickly. Some areas of the country or neighborhoods might rarely have curbside giveaways - so you should judge whether or not this would be useful in your situation.
4. Friends and Family
There are a few ways that you can get items from friends and family. One is to specifically ask for (or hint at) pieces of furniture or decor as birthday or holiday gifts. Another way is to be aware of when friends and family are moving or getting rid of items. You can ask if they are getting rid of or selling any furniture pieces and let them know that you might be interested. Often, friends and family will offer pieces to you for free or at a very discounted price.
5. Dumpster Diving
While it might not be glamorous, dumpster diving can also be an effective way to get free furniture and decor. If you live in an apartment community, you can to check trash areas around the time that leases end and people move. Often people will leave usable furniture or decor outside of the dumpster itself, hoping that someone else will be able to make use of this. If you live near a college town, driving around at the end of the school year can be especially fruitful, as college students often are moving far away upon graduation and can be leaving furniture that they don’t want to move. If you are actually reaching into dumpsters instead of outside them, be sure to check local laws and regulations regarding dumpster diving.
6. Freecycle
Freecycle is a lot like Buy Nothing, where people can offer and request items for free. I prefer BuyNothing because there is a stronger community aspect. Compared to Facebook Marketplace, I think there is less competition for free stuff, so you might try Freecycle if you’re striking out on Facebook Marketplace.
7. OfferUp and Craigslist
OfferUp and Craigslist are both local consumer marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace. Although I think both of them are less commonly used than Facebook Marketplace, you still might find different things than are listed on Facebook.
8. Free Swap Meets:
I’ve seen a free swap meet in my area - which is basically a swap meet where everything is free. While I’ve never gone to one, I think this would be a great way to get free stuff.
9. Garage Sales
Often garage sales have items for free, or sellers are willing to give away items for free at the last day. I find that this is a more time intensive and less rewarding way in my area, but it might work for you if your area has a strong garage sale culture.
10. Selling Personal Items
While not technically “free,” selling things you don’t need can give you funds to buy things that fit your space better. If I find a good deal on a $15 lamp, but can sell my existing lamp for $15 or more, I’m effectively getting a free upgrade on my lamp.
Caveats and Thoughts
While it’s possible to makeover a whole room for free, it’s going to take (much) longer than buying things new. You also should be realistic about your free wish list. While you’re unlikely to get a designer chair for free , you’ll probably be able to get an Ikea chair for free if you’re patient. I highly suggest you get clear on what furniture or decor you want by creating a wish list that helps you identify if a free item is worth bringing home.
Many of the strategies are easiest if you live in an urban or suburban area. There are simply more people listing more items for free, so you’ll have more selection. If you live in a rural area, you should take that into consideration - don’t get discouraged. Perhaps you can time your trip to an urban area to pick up free stuff with other errands.
With free items, you don’t always know their history, so it’s important to inspect items carefully for damage or signs of pests before bringing them into your home. And always prioritize your safety when picking up items from strangers or unfamiliar locations.
That being said, I love getting free stuff. I’ve gotten 90% of my free items from the first three ways below. In the last few years, I’ve gotten four free rugs, a free desk, three free lamps, three free chairs, several free kitchen utensils, free storage containers, a free shelves, a free bench, a free outdoor table and chair set, a free twin mattress, free sheets and more.
Reusing stuff that would otherwise be discarded is not only financially smart, but it’s also environmentally friendly. Consumerism is wreaking havoc on our planet, and avoiding buying new is one big opportunity we have to make an impact.
There’s nothing like the joy of free stuff! Let me know if you have any tips in the comments below.
