Where to Donate Furniture and Household Goods in NYC

A practical, borough-by-borough rundown of where New Yorkers can donate furniture and housewares, which organizations pick up, and what to do when an item is too worn to give away.

Getting rid of a couch, dresser, or boxful of kitchenware in New York City is rarely as simple as carrying it to the curb. Walk-up apartments, no driveways, and strict condition rules at most charities mean a little planning saves a lot of frustration. The good news: if your item is clean and structurally sound, several reputable NYC organizations will take it, and a few will even send a truck. This guide breaks down who picks up, who doesn't, what they accept, and what it realistically costs when donating isn't an option.

Organizations that offer furniture pickup in NYC

Several well-known nonprofits operate in the five boroughs. Pickup availability, fees, and minimums vary, and policies change, so always confirm on the org's own scheduling page before you count on a truck.

Housing Works

Housing Works runs thrift shops across Manhattan and uses proceeds to fund services for New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and homelessness. For furniture, they require at least five pieces and accept items in excellent condition only. Photos are required as part of the review process, and you submit a request form online; allow a couple of business days for a response. Note that pickup is not free — Housing Works charges a small fee based on your location and items. They do not take mattresses, box springs, futons, office furniture, IKEA/particle-board pieces, or large glass dining tables. You can also drop off smaller goods at most shops, though a few locations (including Brooklyn Heights and the West Village) don't accept furniture, so call ahead.

Habitat for Humanity NYC ReStore

The Habitat NYC and Westchester ReStore resells furniture, appliances, and building materials to fund affordable-housing work. They offer free pickup within their service area but require a minimum of five furniture or appliance items in good, undamaged condition. Items above the second floor need an elevator. You self-schedule online; expect a review window of several business days.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army funds its Adult Rehabilitation Centers through donated-goods sales and offers free home pickup in much of the metro area. Schedule at SATruck.org or by calling 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825). Coverage is by ZIP code, and in-home pickups are suspended in some areas, so check your address first. Pickups are typically scheduled roughly 1–2 weeks out. They accept furniture in usable condition, clothing, working appliances (no gas), and electronics under five years old.

GreenDrop

GreenDrop collects clothing and household items on behalf of charity partners (such as the American Red Cross and the Military Order of the Purple Heart) and offers scheduled home pickup. It's best for bags and boxes of smaller goods — they won't take items over about 50 pounds, so it's not your solution for a sofa. Minimums (often a couple of bags) apply.

Big Reuse

Big Reuse is a Brooklyn-based environmental nonprofit whose Gowanus location is one of the largest reuse centers in the city, taking furniture, building supplies, appliances, and e-waste. Large items and bigger quantities are handled only at Gowanus, where you can submit a form to request pickup consideration; their Bushwick shop takes smaller donations but no furniture. This is a strong option if keeping usable goods out of the landfill is your priority.

Tips for a smooth donation

• Read the "not accepted" list first. Most NYC charities reject mattresses, box springs, particle-board/IKEA furniture, and torn upholstery. Knowing this upfront prevents a wasted pickup slot.
• Take clear photos. Several orgs review your items by photo before approving a pickup, so good lighting and honest angles speed things up.
• Mind your walk-up. Free pickups often assume elevator access or a ground floor. If you're in a fourth-floor walk-up, confirm the org will carry down — many won't.
• Keep your donation receipt. Donated goods to a qualified nonprofit may be tax-deductible; ask for a receipt at pickup or drop-off.
• Use DonateNYC. The city's free DonateNYC directory lets you search by item and borough to find nearby organizations that want what you have.

What if it's too worn to donate?

If your item won't pass a charity's condition check, you have two main routes in NYC.

Free: DSNY curbside bulk pickup

The Department of Sanitation collects large household items at the curb at no charge. Key rules to follow:

1. Set out up to six large items per collection day. Scheduled appointments are no longer offered.
2. Place items curbside between 6 p.m. and midnight the night before your trash collection day (use your trash day, not recycling day, for wood and composite furniture).
3. Disassemble and bundle smaller pieces with twine where possible.
4. Mattresses and box springs must be sealed in a clear plastic disposal bag. Opaque or duct-taped bags don't count, and improperly bagged mattresses can draw a fine of up to roughly $300 and won't be collected.

Paid: hiring a junk-removal service

If you can't carry items down yourself, are clearing out a whole apartment, or need something gone fast, hiring a licensed junk-removal company is a legitimate option — they handle the lifting, stairs, and disposal. Costs in NYC vary widely by volume, access, and labor. Reported ranges include roughly $59–$240+ for a single furniture item depending on the provider, while full-load junk removal often runs about $150–$750, climbing higher for large or multi-room jobs. Always get an itemized quote, confirm the company is licensed, and ask whether they donate or recycle usable pieces rather than landfilling everything.

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