Getting rid of a couch in New York is harder than it sounds. Most charities now screen by photo, many charge for pickup, and nearly all of them turn down worn upholstery. This guide lists which organizations still pick up, what each one costs, what they accept, and what to do when a piece is worth keeping instead.
Quick answer: The easiest places to donate furniture in NYC are City Opera Thrift Shop (free pickup in Manhattan), The Salvation Army (online pickup scheduling), the Habitat NYC and Westchester ReStore, and Housing Works (paid pickup for five or more pieces). For large items no one will pick up, Big Reuse in Gowanus takes drop-offs daily, and Buy Nothing groups can find a neighbor to take a piece within a day.
NYC furniture donation options at a glance
| Organization | Pickup? | Cost | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Opera Thrift Shop | Yes | Free | Manhattan (Tue and Fri); outer boroughs case by case | Email photos first |
| The Salvation Army | Yes, where available | Free | Varies by ZIP code | Accepted at driver’s discretion |
| Habitat NYC and Westchester ReStore | Yes | Free (they welcome a donation toward costs) | NYC and Westchester | Store is in Yonkers; replies in 4 to 5 business days |
| Housing Works | Yes | Small fee | Five boroughs | Minimum five pieces, photos required |
| Vietnam Veterans of America | Yes, curbside | Free | Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island | Small furniture only |
| Goodwill NYNJ | Yes, through ReSupply | Fee usually applies for large items | NYC area | Drop-off at stores is free |
| Hour Children | Yes, by phone | Free | Queens | Donations paused as of September 2026, call first |
| Big Reuse | Large-volume donations only | Free | Drop-off in Gowanus, Brooklyn | No beds or used upholstered pieces |
| Buy Nothing groups | Recipient picks up | Free | Neighborhood-based | Fastest option for single pieces |
| DSNY curbside collection | Yes | Free | All five boroughs | Last resort; goes to landfill or recycling |
Charities that pick up furniture in NYC
1. The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army still runs one of the few free pickup services in the city. Enter your ZIP code on their scheduling page to see whether pickup is available where you live, then choose your items and a date. All donations are accepted at the driver’s discretion, so anything worn or damaged may be left behind. If pickup isn’t running in your area, the same page lists the nearest drop-off locations. Proceeds fund the organization’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers.
Best for: Sofas, dressers, tables and beds in decent condition when you want a free, scheduled pickup.
2. Habitat NYC and Westchester ReStore
Habitat for Humanity builds and preserves affordable homes, and its ReStore resells donated furniture, appliances, cabinetry and building materials at a fraction of retail. Its Woodside, Queens location closed in 2025, and the ReStore now operates in Yonkers, but it still picks up across the city. Request a pickup online and expect a reply within 4 to 5 business days. To drop off instead, email photos with “DROP OFF” in the subject line.
Best for: Kitchen cabinets, appliances and larger furniture during a renovation or clear-out.
3. Housing Works
Housing Works picks up furniture across the five boroughs for a small fee based on your location and items. Donations need at least five pieces in excellent condition, and photos are required with your request. Expect a reply within 2 to 3 business days. Housing Works is strict: it turns down stained or faded upholstery, pet hair, missing parts, particle board and most IKEA furniture. Proceeds support its work fighting HIV/AIDS and homelessness.
Best for: Clearing out several quality pieces at once, like a full living room.
4. Vietnam Veterans of America
Vietnam Veterans of America runs curbside pickups in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. It takes usable small furniture and rugs, along with clothing and household goods, but nothing larger than one person can easily carry. Leave items outside marked “VVA” on your pickup day, and the driver leaves a tax receipt.
Best for:Â Side tables, lamps, small chairs and other light pieces.
5. Goodwill NYNJ
Goodwill’s New York and New Jersey stores accept drop-offs of household goods for free, and the organization offers home pickup through its partner ReSupply. Check the quote when you book, since large-item pickups usually come with a fee. Goodwill’s donation page links to its store finder and pickup scheduling. Sales fund job training for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
Best for:Â Drop-offs if you have a car, or paid pickup when speed matters more than cost.
6. Hour Children
Hour Children supports women and families affected by a mother’s incarceration, and its Astoria and Long Island City thrift shops sell donated furniture. Pickups of furniture and larger items are arranged by phone at 718-433-4724. It does not accept recliners, beds, mattresses or large appliances. As of September 2026 its website says donations are temporarily paused for inventory, so call before planning around it.
Best for:Â Queens residents with dressers, tables and chairs.
7. City Opera Thrift Shop
City Opera Thrift Shop offers free pickup in Manhattan on Tuesdays and Fridays, and in the outer boroughs on a case-by-case basis. For furniture, email photos, a short description of each piece’s condition and your address, and mention any move-out date or building rules. Smaller items like art, rugs, lighting and home decor can be dropped off at the Chelsea shop at 513 W 26th St, and they’ll reimburse car fare up to $25 with a receipt. Every sale supports New York City Opera.
Best for: Manhattan residents with good-quality or vintage pieces.
Where to drop off furniture yourself
8. Big Reuse (Gowanus, Brooklyn)
Big Reuse runs what it calls the biggest thrift store in the city, at 1 12th St in Gowanus. It accepts furniture drop-offs daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pieces must be clean and undamaged, and it doesn’t take bed frames, mattresses, used couches or upholstered chairs, or particle board. It only picks up large-volume donations, so contact them first if you’re clearing out a whole apartment.
Best for:Â Solid wood furniture, mirrors, and leftover materials from a renovation.
Free and fast: give it to a neighbor
9. Buy Nothing groups and stoop sites
When a charity won’t take a piece, a neighbor often will. Buy Nothing groups are hyper-local gifting groups on Facebook and the Buy Nothing app, where you post an item and someone nearby claims and collects it. New York also has an active stooping culture: accounts like Stooping NYC on Instagram share photos of free furniture left on the curb, and good pieces often disappear within hours. You won’t get a tax receipt, but you also won’t need to schedule anything.
Best for: Single pieces, IKEA furniture charities won’t accept, and tight move-out deadlines.
10. donateNYC directory
The city’s own donateNYC tool lets you search for nonprofits by the type of item and your location, including which ones offer pickup. It’s useful for finding smaller neighborhood organizations not listed here.
What charities won’t accept
Most furniture donations are turned down for the same handful of reasons, so check these before you send photos:
- Stained, torn, faded or pet-hair-covered upholstery
- Missing parts, like shelves, drawers, legs or cushions
- Particle board and flat-pack furniture, which rarely survives a second move
- Mattresses, box springs and, at many places, bed frames
- Large glass tabletops and outdated media cabinets
- Pieces that won’t fit through the removal path, like a sofa that came in before the doorway was narrowed
Good photos in daylight, a quick wipe-down and a note about any flaws will get you a faster yes.
Should you store it or donate it?
Donating is the right call for a lot of furniture, but not all of it. A few honest questions usually settle it.
Donate it if:
- You haven’t used it in the past year and can’t name where it would go next.
- It would cost less to buy a similar piece later than to keep this one while you wait.
- It’s in good enough shape that one of the charities above will accept it.
Store it if:
- It’s an heirloom, an antique, or something you couldn’t replace.
- You’re between apartments, moving in with someone, or downsizing temporarily and expect to have room again.
- It’s solid wood or a quality piece where replacing it would cost far more than keeping it.
If a piece lands in the “store it” column, that’s what long-term furniture storage in NYC at Moishe’s is for. Sometimes we find ourselves not using particular furniture pieces, but can’t seem to give them away. Whether it’s a cherished family heirloom or a piece you’ve held onto since childhood, we don’t always want to give away our furniture forever. Which is why self storage may be a great option for you. Living in a space-starved city like New York means that most people can’t afford to house furniture that we’re not actively using. But if you don’t want to donate it, then consider storing it in a safe, secure and climate-controlled unit at Moishe’s Self Storage. Our Queens and Bronx locations offer a variety of unit sizes that can accommodate small desks to large armoires and bed frames. Contact us today to see if you can qualify for free pickup!
If nobody wants it: NYC curbside disposal
When a piece is too worn to donate, the Department of Sanitation will collect it from the curb for free, with no appointment. You can set out up to six large items per collection day. Wood and other non-recyclable furniture goes out on your trash day, not your recycling day, and it helps to take pieces apart first. Mattresses and box springs must be sealed in a plastic bag, and skipping that step can bring a fine of up to $300. DSNY’s furniture disposal page has the full rules.
If you’re clearing out furniture ahead of a move, our checklist of things to do before packing covers when to sell, donate and disassemble.
Frequently asked questions
Which charities pick up furniture for free in NYC?
City Opera Thrift Shop picks up for free in Manhattan on Tuesdays and Fridays and in the outer boroughs case by case. The Salvation Army schedules free pickups online where service is available, and the Habitat NYC and Westchester ReStore takes pickup requests citywide. Vietnam Veterans of America picks up small furniture curbside for free. Housing Works also picks up, but charges a small fee and needs at least five pieces.
Does The Salvation Army pick up furniture in NYC?
Yes, in areas where its pickup service is running. Enter your ZIP code on its scheduling page to check. Items are accepted at the driver’s discretion, so damaged or heavily worn pieces may be left behind. If pickup isn’t available, the same page lists nearby drop-off locations.
Where can I donate a couch in NYC?
City Opera Thrift Shop, The Salvation Army, the Habitat ReStore and Housing Works all accept couches in very good condition, with no stains, tears, fading or pet hair. Big Reuse only accepts new upholstered pieces. For an older couch that’s still usable, a Buy Nothing group or stoop listing is usually the fastest route.
Can I deduct donated furniture on my taxes?
Generally, yes, if you itemize deductions and the furniture is in good used condition or better. You deduct its fair market value, meaning what it would sell for secondhand today, not what you paid. If your noncash donations for the year total more than $500, you’ll need to file Form 8283. Keep the charity’s receipt and photos. IRS Publication 526 has the full rules, and a tax professional can confirm how they apply to you.
How do I get rid of furniture no charity wants in NYC?
Post it in a Buy Nothing group or share it with a stoop account first. If no one takes it, DSNY collects bulky items from the curb for free with no appointment, up to six per collection day. Non-recyclable furniture goes out on trash day, and mattresses must be sealed in a plastic bag.
Is it worth storing furniture instead of donating it?
It’s worth it when the piece is expensive or impossible to replace, has sentimental value, or you expect to need it again soon, such as during a temporary move or a renovation. For inexpensive pieces you haven’t used in a year, donating is usually better.
What size storage unit do I need for furniture?
A 5×10 unit holds about the contents of a small room, while a 10×10 is roughly the size of a standard bedroom and fits a bed, dresser and a few larger pieces. Moishe’s room size calculator can help you choose a unit size, or the team can help you choose.
Keep it or give it away, you have options. If you’d rather hold onto a piece for now, Moishe’s Self Storage offers over 20 unit sizes. Contact Moishe’s Self Storage if you’re looking for cheap storage units in New York City to hold wine, art, or other things. Our Manhattan/The Bronx and Queens/Brooklyn Storage Facilities are conveniently located near you. We offer over 20 different storage unit sizes, available to individuals, students, and businesses. Reserve your room, view specials, or contact us.