Vintage Home Furniture

What can I do with old furniture?

My Grandparents died at the end of last year, and my Mum and I are currently faced with the daunting task of clearing their house out ready for sale. They have a lot of furniture- most of it's too old and beat up for resale save for a newish bed. What's the cheapest way of getting rid of it all besides paying the Council to collect it? (The house is in Northamptonshire) Thank you, Eva x

Public Comments

1. Check out FREECYCLE.ORG, it's a worldwide system that you can post and give away things to people who may want or need them.... It's mission is simple to keep good things out of landfills... There's NO membership fee and it's easy to join and find people in your area that are members.. The rules are simple EVERYTHING posted is FREE ! No money exchanges hands... ! You just pick someone to receive the item choose a time/place for the pick-up and the item is gone ! It's a really GREAT service... Also, you can donate it to charity and most will have a truck pick up large/heavy items.... Good luck
2. Surely there is a church or an agency that deals with the poor people that would take it off your hands for free. But I think you should bring in an antique dealer and just ask them before hand if they charge for looking. I would have them tell you the truth no matter what but do not sell anything to this person. Watch their faces when they look at something because their eyes will tell you if it is worth something. You and your Mother may not like it but it could be worth a lot. I would do it free for you if I were there. Too bad you cannot take pictures and show them to us. Just a footstool may be worth $100 or a small tea caddy, a tobacco jar. Please, please have someone look at the stuff for you. Any small cupboards for on the wall? That is what I like, the miniature ones.
3. Here in the US I often put things out to the curb with a "free" sign on them and it doesn't take long before they disappear. Someone, can always use something.
4. You can also advertise for free on Craigslist.org. They have a free stuff column.
5. Do you have Salvation Army over there? bg
6. 1. You could put an ad in the local paper saying you are having an estate sale with free give aways. Sell things like books and kitchen ware and put big "free" signs on the pieces you want to get rid of. Many people know how to refinish and repair unwanted furniture. Students often look to refurbish a temporary flat on the cheap. 2. Many organizations will pick up unwanted furniture for charities. Some churches will take couches for their youth room. 3.The curbside is a good idea if you make sure it is picked up before a rain. Some places will ticket if you leave it out for more than a day so I'd leave as a last option just in case you are left carrying it back in again. P.S. I'm sorry for your loss. Take care. Deb
7. Here in Wales we have a furnishing depot where folks on low income can go to buy stuff... ask you local county council for the nearest one near you or the C A B office they might help you.. here the folks the folks collect it free.. you could of course sell it on eBay ....!!!