I'd love to get new furniture but ... what can I do with my old furniture?

Many customers find themselves stumped by this problem. Good news! There are a variety of solutions contained in these pages. The first step is to make a realistic assessment of the quality and condition of what you have now. Are they

• Heirloom Condition and Quality,
• Good Quality that has been Gently Used, or
• Showing signs of wear. That assessment will determine its final disposition.

Heirloom Condition and Quality: This is very fine furniture that was expensive when it was purchased and has been meticulously cared for. On wood furniture there should be a nearly flawless finish, all doors, drawers and leaves work easily, and all original knobs and pulls are in place. Upholstered furniture should be in “like new” condition, no wear, fading or stains.

If your furniture fits this description you may be able to sell it! Possibilities include:

1. Putting an ad in the “Penny Saver”, the “Swap” section of your local paper or the Want Advertiser  magazine found at convenience stores.
2. Consignment stores will pick up your furniture, put it on display, sell it for you and return a percentage of the proceeds. Look for them in the phone book under Consignment and Resale Shops. 
3. You can also sell it outright to a used furniture store. Look for them under Furniture-used.

Good Quality that has been Gently Used: This is good quality furniture that has had some use but is in very good condition for its age.

Does your wood furniture have very few scratches or nicks, everything works and nothing is missing or broken?

Is your upholstered furniture not worn through anywhere, have no rips, cuts, frayed welt (cording), pulls, obvious stains or fading? Have the cushions kept their shape and firmness? Are the frames and springs still problem free?

If so, your furniture has great value to someone else. Charitable organizations, which assist the homeless, will put your things to excellent use. Many will schedule a pick up at your home or you can drop things at their collection centers. All will give you a receipt for your donation that may save you some money as a tax deduction come April 15! A list of such organizations is attached.

Showing signs of wear: Furniture of any quality that has signs of hard use and wear is ready for “permanent resolution”. If fabric is faded, stained or starting to show wear, if parts are cracked, missing or broken, it is time to dispose of it. What can you do?

Call your Town Hall. If you have regular trash pick up, it is likely that there is accommodation for disposal of large pieces of furniture.

Call a trash hauler. In the yellow pages under Trash removal, Rubbish removal, or Garbage removal there are companies that will haul away almost anything. Usually they charge based on the volume of the pieces, not the weight. For example, plan on paying from $100 to $200 for a sofa.

Charitable Organizations

Charitable Organizations That Want Your Furniture

Please remember that none of these organizations will accept worn, torn, faded or stained items. They cannot accept items that are broken, in need of repair, reupholstering or with missing parts. Most will accept general household items like linens, flat ware, pots and pans, etc. Most are scheduling 2 to 4 weeks ahead. 

Goodwill Industries- http://www.goodwillmass.org - 617 445 1010 or  888 828 4483 No home pick ups. They accept donations of furniture, clothing or household goods at Donation Centers. They will not accept sofa beds, mattresses, box springs, or large office furniture. Attended donation centers are open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Arlington        905 Massachusetts Avenue

Boston            1010 Harrison Avenue

Concord         211 Sudbury Road

Lexington      36 Bedford Street

Medford         30 Commercial Street (at Stop and Shop)

Newtonville    Austin Street (across from Star Market)

Norwood        Providence Highway at Home Depot/ Stop and Shop

Peabody         Lowell Street

Sudbury          Boston Post Road, rt. 20

Wellesley        Washington Street, rt. 16 at Star Market

The Salvation Army- http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/mas - for pick up scheduling call a location below. This organization does both in home pick ups and has drop off centers. Call 4 to 6 weeks in advance of when you may need items picked up. Donated goods are given directly to the needy or sold through their Thrift Stores to fund their co-educational residential alcohol and drug treatment programs. They cannot accept water beds or mattresses and box springs. You may also call the nearest Thrift Store directly:

Boston/Saugus -781 231 0803, rt. 1, 209 Broadway, Saugus

Brockton – 508 586 1187, 281 N Main Street

Springfield – 413 785 1921, 285 Liberty Street

Worcester – 508 799 0520, 72 Cambridge Street

Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless – http://www.mahomeless.org – for pick up scheduling call 781 595 7570,  ext. 13. Since 1986, the Coalition has been helping thousands of formerly homeless and at risk households through its Furniture Bank. They normally charge a $25 fee for pick up. However, if you mention Westwood Furniture, they will waive the fee. They will pick up in most towns inside rt. 495 with 2 to 3 weeks notice, sometimes within a couple of days. They will take mattresses and box springs less than 10 years old and in clean condition.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul – http://www.svdpboston.com – for pick up call 800 675 2882 or 781 341 4455. There must be a minimum of three pieces for a pick up. No mattresses or box springs.

My Brother’s Keeper – http://www.mybrotherskeeper.org – Call 508 238 7512 to donate furniture. A volunteer Christian ministry located in Easton which delivers food and furniture to families in need on the South Shore. They will take mattresses and box springs less than 10 years old and in clean condition. They will not pick up buffets or china cabinets, desks, cedar chests or sleepers. They do not do pickups from late November to late December.

Mission of Deeds, Inc – http://www.missionofdeeds.org – Call 781 944 9797 to donate furniture. Located in Reading, this organization donates home furnishings to those in need on the North Shore. They will pick up in any town contiguous to Reading. Drop offs may be made at their facility at 6 Chapin Avenue, which is off rt. 28. Please call ahead! They not accept sofa beds, large entertainment centers or plat form beds. They will take mattresses and box springs less than 10 years old and in good condition.

Teen Challenge – http://www.tcnewengland.org – Call 508 427 6475. Based in Brockton, this organization helps teens with life control issues. They will pick up south of Boston, and slightly farther if you have multiple pieces to donate. Upholstered furniture must meet the conditions outlined at the top, but this organization will accept wood furniture in need of some repairs. Please call for more information.