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What to Do With Old Furniture

Redecorating and getting rid of old furniture around the house? Check out our tips on the best ways to dispose of furniture.

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Pile of Old Furniture Outside Apartment Complex

Your Guide to Old Furniture Disposal

Getting rid of old furniture can be a challenge — but our in-depth disposal guide will help you find the right solution in no time.

Ultimately, the best way to get rid of furniture depends on two things: the condition of the item and your area's local guidelines. Read on to find the easiest and most cost-efficient disposal options for outdated couches, busted dining room table sets, old mattresses and everything in between

Tossing more than just old furniture? Check out our residential dumpsters page to get a roll off container to toss multiple items.

Tossing a Specific Item?

Choose a piece of furniture below to learn how to safely and easily toss it.

Couches Couches Mattresses Mattresses Tables Tables

Rent a Dumpster For Old Furniture

 

5 Ways to Dispose of Furniture

Old Couch Cushions

1. Sell It

If your furniture is clean and in good condition, you can hold a garage sale or contact a local resale shop to sell it. Don’t feel like coordinating a large sale or drop-off? Consider advertising with an online service instead.

Woman Selling Home Goods at Garage Sale

3. Toss It Curbside

This option is typically the most convenient in residential settings, but you'll need to research your local regulations first. At apartments, furniture is not accepted in front load dumpsters or compactors and depending on your area, you’ll need to consider possible restrictions, such as:

  • Specified bulk collection days at your home.
  • Extra fees for furniture pickup with regular trash.
  • Rules for wrapping upholstered furniture in plastic.
  • Limits on the number of furniture items left curbside.
Couch Sitting on the Curb Waiting for Garbage Pickup

Rent a Dumpster To Toss Old Furniture

Junk Removal Team Taking Away Couch

4. Hire a Junk Removal Service

If you only need to toss a few items but can’t lift them yourself, you might consult a junk removal company. They’ll come to your home and remove the items for you. However, space in their truck is usually limited and you may not receive a complete price upfront. This process typically involves:

  • Varied rates for individual items.
  • You sorting items prior to the scheduled day.
  • A final price given upon completion of the job.
  • Team members entering your home to remove the furniture.

5. Rent a Dumpster

You can typically throw bed frames, chairs, desks, dressers and tables in a dumpster all at once for convenient disposal. Mattresses may not be accepted in certain areas due to local landfill regulations. When you contact us, we'll let you know if we can accept your furniture, then we’ll walk you through the rental process. With a residential dumpster rental, you can:

  • Work at your own pace.
  • Toss unwanted items as you go.
  • Get rid of multiple bulky items all at once.
  • Know exactly what you’re paying upfront.
Dumpster Being Used to Dispose of Couch

Order a Dumpster Online

Shopping after hours? Too busy to make another call? Book the dumpster you need, when you need it. Order your dumpster online 24/7.

A man and a woman using a smart device to order a dumpster.

How Much Does Furniture Disposal Cost?

If your furniture is destined for the trash, there are a few ways to toss it. While renting a dumpster is typically the fastest way to toss large amounts of junk, you might consider alternate disposal methods for single items. Let's take a look at the average prices for each.

Dumpster Rental

Junk Removal Service

Curbside Bulk Pickup

 
$485 average nationwide*
 

 
Up to $800 for a full truckload
 

 
Fees vary by location and object
 

*Prices may vary by location. Sources: Dumpsters.com, HomeAdvisor

Depending on local landfill regulations, transporting debris to the dump yourself may be an option. Keep in mind that you will be charged a fee per ton, plus the costs of gas and labor.

Furniture Disposal Tips by Material

Sometimes thinking about what your furniture is made out of helps you come up with disposal options. For example, a table with a glass top supported by a metal frame could be taken to a donation center that accepts building materials, where it would be separated and each material used for a new purpose. If you’re interested in recycling your furniture, check out the table below for some common rules and regulations surrounding the material you’re hoping to dispose of.

Keep in Mind: If you’re tossing a lot of furniture at one time, a dumpster rental is often the best option to get rid of all your unwanted items.

Common Materials

Rules and Regulations

Best Disposal Suggestion

Couches & Recliners

 

  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Fabric
  • Padding materials
     

 

  • Must be in good condition to sell or donate.
  • Fabric and padded materials need to be wrapped for curbside collection.
     

 
Donate or Curbside Collection
 

Table Sets

 

  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Glass
  • Plastic
     

 

  • Must be in good condition to sell or donate.
  • Tables with metal and plastic are often not accepted for donation.
  • Curbside collection often has bulk item limits and may consider each part of the set its own item (i.e., a table and four chairs count as five items).
     

 
Donate or Sell
 

Bed Frames

 

  • Wood
  • Metal
     

 

  • Not often accepted for donation.
  • Disassembly may be required for curbside collection and junk removal.
     

 
Curbside Collection
 

Mattresses & Box Springs

 

  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Fabric
  • Padding Materials
     

 

  • Rarely accepted for donation.
  • Fabric and padded materials must be wrapped for curbside collection.
  • Curbside collection often has bulk item limits and will consider mattress and box spring sets as two items.
     

 
Curbside Collection or Dumpster Rental
 

Book Shelves

 

  • Wood
  • Plastic
     

 

  • Must be in good condition to sell or donate.
     

 
Donate or Sell
 

Side Tables

 

  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Glass
  • Plastic
     

 

  • Must be in good condition to sell or donate.
     

 
Donate or Sell
 

Entertainment Centers

 

  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Glass
     

 

  • Must be in good condition to sell or donate.
  • Curbside collection often has bulk item limits and may consider each part of the set its own item.
     

 
Donate or Dumpster Rental
 

Dressers

 

  • Wood
     

 

  • Must be in good condition to sell or donate.
  • Due to their size, some donation locations won’t accept dressers.
     

 
Sell or Dumpster Rental
 

Desks

 

  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Glass
     

 

  • Must be in good condition to sell or donate.
  • Due to their size, some donation locations won’t accept desks.
  • Disassembly may be required for curbside collection and junk removal.
     

 
Donate or Sell
 

How to Dispose of a Table

Wondering how to get rid of heavy tables? From dining room sets to large coffee tables and lawn furniture, tossing these bulky items can be difficult. To help you find the best disposal option for your situation, we collected a variety of resources, including some environmentally friendly ways to get rid of your junk.

Wooden Kitchen Table With Four Chairs and Plant

Where Can I Find Table Disposal?

Blue dumpster icon.

Dumpster Rental

Order a roll off dumpster to quickly toss your table, along with any other junk. For larger pieces, consider removing drawers or disassembling legs.

Junk removal truck icon.

Junk Removal Services

Junk removal companies often charge extra for bulky items. A large dining room set may be too big for one truckload, which can quickly become costly.

Landfill icon.

Local Dump

Hauling your old tables to the landfill yourself can be labor-intensive and bulky items may cause damage to your vehicle. Check local regulations and disposal fees.

Other Table Removal Options to Consider

Can I Sell My Old Table?

If your furniture is clean and in excellent condition, you may be able to make some extra cash selling it at a yard sale or local consignment shop. To successfully sell your furniture online, it’s important to make your pieces stand out from the rest with competitive pricing, quality photos and specific details, like noting any imperfections.

Tossing More Than Old Furniture?

Choose a construction material for detailed disposal options.

Lumber & Wood Lumber & Wood Tile Tile Pallets Pallets
Flooring Flooring Scrap Metal Scrap Metal Concrete Concrete
Shingles Shingles Insulation Insulation Paint Paint

Furniture Disposal FAQs

How do I get rid of furniture I don’t want?

Can I donate furniture?

Where can I throw away old furniture?

Can I repurpose my old furniture?

More Bulk Item Disposal Resources

Need some quick tips? Check out these blog posts and dumpster rental resources.