What to do with old furniture
Updated September 2026 · by JUNKRUN, Melrose MA
The best way to get rid of old furniture depends on its condition and your deadline. If it is in good shape, sell or donate it. If your town does curbside bulky pickup, that is the cheapest route for one or two pieces, if you can wait for the date. If it is broken, heavy, upstairs or on a deadline, a hauler is fastest: JUNKRUN is $139 for a couch and $69–$179 for a dresser, flat.
Step 1: Is it worth selling?
Solid-wood pieces, clean upholstered furniture and anything from a known brand can sell locally. Marketplace-style listings work best for items a buyer can pick up quickly. Be honest in the listing, and set a date after which it goes to the curb or a hauler. If it has not sold in a week or two, it is probably not going to.
Step 2: Donation
Some organizations accept clean, working furniture, and some will pick up. Acceptance and pickup rules vary and change often, so call first and ask what they take. Upholstered pieces with stains, pet odor or damage are usually not accepted, and mattresses have their own rules.
Step 3: Your town's curbside program
Most towns north of Boston do curbside bulky pickup with limits: one item per week or month, a paid sticker, a per-item fee, an appointment, or transfer-station drop-off only. Our town-by-town guide summarizes each.
Step 4: Hire a hauler
- Couch $139, loveseat $89, dresser $69–$179, table or desk $59–$109, mattress $89–$129. Flat, from any floor.
- A whole room or several pieces usually costs less as a trailer share: ¼ is $209, ½ is $319.
- It is the right call when the furniture is broken, very heavy, upstairs, or when you have a deadline.
What not to do
- Do not leave furniture on the curb without checking your town's rules. It can draw a fine, and an upholstered piece left in the rain is harder to move.
- Do not leave a mattress out with the trash. It is banned from disposal in Massachusetts.
- Do not lift a couch alone.
Why reuse beats the landfill
The EPA counted 12.1 million tons of furniture and furnishings in municipal solid waste in 2018, about 4.1 percent of the total. The majority of this sector was landfilled (80.1 percent). Donating or reselling a piece that is still sound keeps it out of the waste stream altogether.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores accept gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances for resale. Reuse centers and local donation groups take similar items. Call before you load anything, because acceptance rules change and many places refuse upholstered pieces with stains or odor.
Quick answers
How do I get rid of old furniture for free?
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Sell or give it away on a local marketplace, or ask a donation organization whether they pick up. Towns also run curbside programs, some for a fee or with limits.
Can I leave furniture on the curb in Massachusetts?
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Only if your town allows it. Many towns require an appointment, a sticker or a fee. Check yours.
How much does it cost to have furniture hauled away?
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Flat: couch $139, dresser $69–$179, table or desk $59–$109, with a $159 minimum per pickup.
Sources
- US EPA: Durable goods, product-specific data: “Generation of furniture and furnishings in MSW was 12.1 million tons in 2018”
- US EPA: Durable goods, product-specific data: “the majority of this product sector was landfilled (80.1 percent)”