You could be hard pressed to find something more satisfying than redecorating your living space, and that usually means new furniture! You’ve found the perfect pieces to suit your design vision, but now have to figure out what to do with inherited furniture like your great-aunt’s floral print couch, or the bookshelf originally purchased for your dorm room that is now, shall we say delicately, sagging badly. Unless the old pieces really compliment or enhance your new purchases, thank them for their service and show them the door.
‘One man’s junk is another’s treasure’ is particularly apt when it comes to old furniture. You could take the time to advertise it for sale in the local newspaper, Freecycle or Craigslist but is really worth your time and effort? More importantly, don’t you really just want it to go?
That leaves the option of finding a worthy charity in your area that accepts furniture donations. Most large organizations arrange to pick up your donation and provide receipts you can use for a tax write-off. Below are some of the charities in the Washington DC Metro area who accept furniture donations:
Goodwill of Greater Washington (drop off locations throughout the DC Metro area)
2200 South Dakota Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20018
Phone: (202) 636-4225
Accepts: Sofas, loveseats, chairs, ottomans, coffee tables, side tables, dining sets, china cabinets, credenzas, bookshelves, desks, etc. Does not accept bean bag chairs, sleeper sofas, or furniture that is broken, worn, torn, stained, or missing parts.
Pickup Available? Yes. The free pickup service requires a minimum of 8 pieces and is scheduled 2 months in advance. A pay service is offered and can be scheduled for a 48 hour window.
Homestretch
370 South Washington Street,
Suite 400
Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-237-2035
Email: info@homestretch-inc.org
Accepts: Dressers, floor and table lamps, rugs, dining room tables and chairs, coffee tables, highchairs, mattresses, box springs, and bed frames
Pickup Available? Not at this time
Lutheran Social Services
8700 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 562-8633
Accepts: Dressers, couches, kitchen table and chairs, floor lamps, and mattresses, with box springs and bed frames. Does not accept sleeper sofas, sectionals, or king size beds.
Pickup Available? Pickups are scheduled for Mondays, and are scheduled 2 weeks out. Please call the Falls Church location for the next available pick up: 703-698-5026 ext. 113
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
(other locations in the DC Metro Area)
9100 Gaither Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Phone: 301-947-3304
restore@habitat-mc.org
Accepts: Sofas, love seats, coffee tables, bedroom furniture, and dining room furniture. Items must be good to excellent condition (no tears, stains, etc.) and structurally intact. Does not accept used mattresses, or commercial office furniture.
Pickup Available: ReStore is unable to pickup items at this time. However, you can contact, College Hunks Hauling Junk who offer a 48-Hour Priority Service, which includes the removal of junk and other items ReStore cannot accept. Mention ReStore and get a discount! Items may be dropped off Monday-Saturday 9 am-4 pm.
AmVets (several locations)
4647 Forbes Boulevard
Lanham, MD 20706
Phone: (301) 459-9600
Accepts: furniture
Pickup Available: yes
If these options aren’t what you had in mind, you can visit sites such as Charity Navigator or Donation Town for other organizations that accept furniture donations. There are plenty of people who will love a nice floral couch!
