If you want to get furniture for free, you are in luck. In fact, it has never been easier to furnish your new home without paying a cent.
With plenty of apps and methods of communication, it is easier than ever to search for that perfect couch sectional for our favorite price- totally free.
I LOVE finding free stuff. Not too long ago we got a whole cabinet set for our garage to stay organized. Just by seeing it on the curb for trash in our neighborhood.
If you love free stuff, check out these ways to get free internet, how to get Netflix for free, and these free money hacks!
As an aside, I’m also always getting fruit for free. People in my neighborhood put out baskets of fruit in their front yards during the growing season (they have trees) and I always go and get all my fruit from those.
Not sure where to start on your journey of getting furniture for free? I made this comprehensive list of the best ways to start furnishing your home.
From the best Apps to contacting your local storage units, there are plenty of ways to help you get the best items for your home.
Related: How to Get Free Appliances
Things to Keep in Mind
Before we dive into my go-to solutions to furnishing your home at no cost to you, there are a few tips and tricks that I have learned over the years. These tips won’t just help you get the best furniture, but it will also keep you safe.
Since safety is always a top concern, keep reading to learn my top tips to keep in mind when getting furniture for free…
Don’t Go Alone
If you want to be as safe as possible on your quest to grab furniture for free, you want to make sure that you aren’t going alone. For one, you might need an extra set of hands to lift it and, for another, there is safety in numbers.
Plus, I think it’s more fun to get things with friends. Grab your partner or a girlfriend and start searching!
Go in the Daylight
It’s just a fact of life- more crime happens in the dark. If you are meeting someone to get furniture for free, try and make the meeting in the daytime.
Both you and the person you are meeting will feel better about it!
Keep Personal Information to Yourself
There is no reason to share your personal information with a stranger, ever. Be smart and keep your information private- that includes your name!
And try to not meet them in their home. If you can, arrange for a public place like a grocery store parking lot.
Trust Your Gut
If you arrive at the meeting place and something just feels off… then believe it. No free furniture is worth putting yourself at risk.
On the other hand, if your gut is telling you to not take the furniture, then don’t do it. You never know if those dining room chairs are almost broken or if a mattress could have bed bugs.
Research the Givers Account
Before you accept free furniture from an online location, do yourself a favor and research the account of the person giving away the items. Some red flags to look out for is if the account is new or obviously fake, then you probably want to steer clear.
Best Apps for Free Furniture
It’s time to clear your phone storage because these apps are a must when you are on the hunt for getting furniture at no cost. These 5 are the most common and practically decorated my entire house when we moved last year!
Did you know that Facebook has a section in their marketplace dedicated just to things being given away for free? You can find some really great items on here to help you fill whatever needs your home has!
OfferUp
If you are looking to get some furniture for free, then you have to add OfferUp to your app library. There are a lot of furniture options posted for free, or you can try and barter down the price.
NextDoor
Have you heard about NextDoor? It is an excellent app that keeps you connected with your community. You can learn about upcoming events, ask for local work, and even give away furniture that you don’t need anymore.
This app is perfect to help you connect with your neighbors and grab furniture for free from someone pretty close to your home.
Craigslist
Craigslist has become so well-known over the years- and for good reason. This website is the perfect way to help you find plenty of furniture for free.
In fact, it is so well known for this sort of work that Craigslist added a section that is dedicated entirely to items that are free.
Buy Nothing Groups
You can join local Buy Nothing groups through your Facebook account that is dedicated solely to the idea to waste less and save money. It’s an excellent resource and most neighborhoods have them.
For this group, I prefer knowing exactly what I need and just asking. Do my kids need a new dresser? Ask here! You will be surprised at how many people have that exact item lying around but haven’t gotten around to posting it.
Other Ways
If the apps aren’t giving you the best free furniture options, there are always other ways. I collected some other well-known ways to furnish your home for nothing.
Grab your truck and a latte and get ready to score some new furniture for free!
College Campus Move Out Days
Fun fact: when I was moving out of my college dorm, I didn’t have enough room for my (practically new) mini fridge in my car. So, before I began the long drive home, I had to leave the almost new appliance in a pile of things that almost every other dorm was leaving behind.
To be honest, I still think about that fridge and that pile of stuff. The fact is, every single college dorm has the same pile of quality things that just do not fit in the car for the drive home.
If you are searching for furniture for free, why not check out your local college campus on move out days and see if you can find a pile like that one I had to leave behind?
Local Storage Facilities
If you contact a local storage facility, you would be surprised at how often they have to get rid of perfectly decent items for free.
The fact of the matter is, most people put their stuff into storage facilities and at some point, stop paying. This makes the items in the storage container belong to the storage facility.
It is worth calling around to your local storage facilities just to see if they have any extra treadmills, couches, or whatever else you may need.
Yard Sales
I have found that when it comes to yard sales, the primary goal is to purge a lot of their extra stuff. Sure, if they can make some money that is great, but the best part about a yard sale is to have a clean slate.
Head out to yard sales towards the end of the day and don’t be afraid to ask for things for free!
Ask Friends and Family
You never know who might have an extra this or that laying around that you need! When our bed frame broke, the first thing I did was let my friends and family know that we needed a new one.
It turns out that not one but two of my friends had extra queen-sized bed frames! It was awesome and I saved a ton of money in the process.
Tips and Tricks to Getting Furniture for Free
There are certain things you can do in your day to day life that will help you on your hunt for free furniture.
Always Be Looking
When it comes to getting furniture for free, you always want to be on the lookout.
When we moved last year, we almost doubled our square footage and needed some new couches. The problem is, we couldn’t afford a few thousand dollars on a new sectional.
For a few weeks, I began looking for free couches that would fit my needs and, lo and behold, my patience paid off. I found the perfect couch for my living room for the cost of nothing.
My best advice is know what it is that you need and keep looking until you get exactly what you need!
Act Fast
When it comes to picking up furniture for free, it is important that you know to act fast. If your neighbor posts on a Facebook group that they are getting rid of some high quality furniture, make sure you call it ASAP!
You don’t want to see an awesome dresser that would hold your kids’ clothes amazingly and watch it go to someone else. Trust me, it hurts. Contact the giver as soon as possible and arrange a pickup time.
Can You Transport it?
Another aspect of getting furniture for free that you need to consider is how you will transport it from point A to point B.
If you can, before you pick up your new bookcase, take a few measurements to make sure that it will fit in the trunk of your car. If not, you might have to borrow a friend’s truck or rent a moving van (which would make your free furniture not so free).
Think Outside the Box
One of the biggest reasons that people get rid of furniture is simply because it doesn’t meet their aesthetic anymore. While it might not fit yours either, if it fills a need in your home and meets your budget of no cost, you might have to think outside the box.
I needed a front bench for my entryway, for example, and I found one for free on Facebook marketplace. It was beautiful and sturdy, but the wood was so dark on it, it didn’t match anything.
I did a little research on Pinterest and found a way to sand down the wood and re-stain the bench a lighter shade. Now, it fits perfectly into my entryway and it only cost me a few dollars.
You might be surprised at how easily you can make older furniture look brand new!
Ask Yourself- Do you Really Need It?
This tip is so important! Because getting furniture for free can be pretty addicting, it is important to decide if you actually need it or not.
I had a friend who was so good at getting furniture for free that her entire garage was filled with new furniture pieces. She always said that, one day, she would refinish them and sell them for a profit. The issue was that she could never find the time.
Learn from my friend- don’t get addicted to the idea of turning free furniture into profit and never follow through (unless you want to learn how to start flea market flipping)! Learn to lead a simple life, buying (or finding) only the things you need.
This is a lesson to use when you buy anything – these frugal tips will help you consider whether or not you NEED something!
In Summary
There are several ways to get furniture for free. In fact, with a little patience and perseverance, there is nothing saying that you couldn’t furnish your entire home and pay little.
Whether you need couches, a new bed frame, or a new dining room set, the options to get you all of that furniture (and more) for free are out there- just keep looking.
Have you ever gotten furniture for free? Tell me about it in the comments!
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