Your Ultimate Guide to Disposing Furniture

You have new furniture on the way, but what do you do with the old furniture?

Disposing furniture can be a hassle because of the size. You can’t just toss it in the rubbish bin or leave it somewhere. The options for getting rid of furniture are often limited.

It can also be challenging to lift and move the furniture to get it out of your home. 

Looking at the options helps you decide how to get your old pieces out of your home to make way for your new furniture.

Keep reading for our guide on how to dispose of furniture.

Check for Haul-Away Service From Furniture Stores

If you’re getting all new furniture, check with the store to see if they offer haul-away services for the old furniture.

Some stores will remove your old furniture from your home when they deliver your new furniture. 

If the store offers this service, ask about any additional costs associated with it. It could be cheaper to get rid of the furniture in other ways if the fees are high. 

Sell It

You’re replacing your furniture for a reason. Maybe it’s old, stained, or doesn’t serve its purpose anymore. Or perhaps you just want something new.

No matter how you feel about your old furniture, there could be someone out there who wants to take it off your hands for you. People often refinish or reupholster old furniture, either for their own use or to flip and make money.

Post your furniture on an online advertising service or local selling groups on Facebook. Be honest about the condition, and include photos, so people know what they’re getting.

In the listing, specify that the buyer has to haul away the furniture, so you don’t have to worry about arrangements.

If you don’t care about making money off of the furniture, consider putting it on the curb with a “free” sign on it. Do research to make sure your city or homeowners association doesn’t have regulations against this practice. You don’t want to get a fine for putting your furniture on the curb.

Donate It

Some charities accept used furniture, and they might offer a pick-up service.

The furniture doesn’t have to be in like-new condition, but it should be in usable condition. Different organizations might have specific standards for the furniture they accept, so check before you schedule a pick-up.

A shelter might use the furniture to furnish spaces for people who stay there. Bedroom furniture and living room furniture would be the most useful for this situation.

Other charities might accept furniture donations to sell in their stores. The charities use the proceeds from the store sales to help their organization. They often take all types of furniture, but it needs to be in good condition. 

Reuse It

Another way to keep your old furniture out of the landfill is to turn it into something else. You might not use it in the way it was intended anymore, but you might find the furniture works well for something else.

An old headboard could become the back of a handmade bench. Or you could add a shelf to it and hang it on the wall as a display area.

An old dresser with a worn top could be refinished and turned into a rustic-style bathroom vanity. With a hole cut in the top to hold a sink, the dresser gets a new life.

If you don’t want to do the work yourself, look for a company that makes custom furniture pieces. A handyman might also be able to help you transform your furniture pieces into something new.

Research Local Trash Pickup Options

In most cities, you can’t just put your old furniture next to your trash bin on pick-up day and hope they take it.

Some trash companies don’t take large items such as furniture at all. Others might require you to buy a special tag for the item. The extra fees can vary, so check with the trash company to find out the costs in your area.

In Dublin, you can request a special bulky household waste collection service for your furniture pick-up. You’re limited to five items each time, and it comes with a fee.

Some cities also have special trash collection days where you can haul anything you want to get rid of to a collection point. You’ll need a way to get your furniture there, but this could be an easy option.

Hire a Skip

Skip hire is an option for getting rid of old furniture.

This is worth considering if you have a lot of rubbish to get rid of in addition to the furniture. An example is when you’re renovating your home and have debris from the demolition process.

Verify with the skip hire company that you’re allowed to put furniture in it. Some companies might have restrictions on what’s allowed in the skip.

You’ll also need a location on your property that’s large enough for the skip. In some cases, the logistics of this option don’t work out well.

Hire a Rubbish Removal Company

If you don’t want to mess with finding a disposal method or loading the furniture yourself, consider hiring a service to do it for you. Companies that offer clear-outs and rubbish removal might take away your old furniture.

The money you pay for the service is often worth it. Many methods you would do yourself cost money anyway.

When you hire someone to do the work, you don’t have to do any of the heavy lifting. It’s a convenient option when you’re not sure how to get rid of the furniture.

Things to Avoid

While you have many options for disposing of old furniture, there are some that you should avoid.

Burning household waste isn’t allowed in Ireland. It can result in severe fines or prison time. Burning furniture and other items can release toxic chemicals into the air, which can be dangerous.

Don’t dump your furniture on the side of the road. If you want to haul it somewhere, take it to a landfill for proper disposal.

Disposing Furniture the Right Way

When disposing of furniture, do your research to find out what’s allowed in your area. The rules can vary, and you could face severe fines if you do it the wrong way.

If you need help with rubbish removal or clearouts, request a quote from us today.