Charities want furniture that is in good shape. A few bumps are fine, but anything needing repair should be repaired by the donor.
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I don’t consider dining room chairs with torn seats in the same category as an upholstered chair or couch that are torn. Almost anyone who would buy a used dining room set can and probably would replace the fabric in a chair in a couple of hours with a staple gun.
Saying that, I’ve really struggled in the past with how to dispose of large items that I no longer want. So many places don’t even want upholstered items or mattresses because of bed beds.
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I had both Habitat and Breast Cancer group come to my house, week apart. No one would take my couches, cuz each had wood trim, even tho nothing wrong with them, from Bloomies. They were considered old-fashioned. I put them outside a day before trash pickup. People in trucks come by and take what they want.
Breast CA group was first here. They wouldn’t take sons blue Schwinn bike, “cuz an old style”. nor would they take a box of costumes, tho this was a month before Halloween.
That is why I had a second group come by. They took the bike and when I showed them the costumes, they took the box with pleasure.
A neighbor took wood desk, with keyboard drawer and side shelves. In Perfect shape, but unnecessary for me.
These charities were inundated early in the pandemic, so could afford to be picky.
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I had a similar problem with the 1970s country style living room furniture that I inherited from my parents. While it’s in beautiful condition, I couldn’t even get the local refugee agency to accept it - “We can’t ask refugees to use unfashionable furniture.”
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Had the same experience with a Mitchell Gold sofa. Apolstered in a dated (but good condition) fabric. Had we been moving rather than getting rid of a house, I would have kept it and reapolstered. But I wasn’t going to sink $ in it to give away. Turned down!
I do appreciate that these places have limited floor space and that they know what sells.
I have given clothing to a consignment shop that was up to date and very lightly worn (had lost weight) which didn’t sell. I was surprised but understand that they simply have a different clientele…
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Seems like this will be more common going forward. There are just a lot of things that older generations will no longer need that younger generations have no interest in owning. Should prepare yourself for that. If you can find a place to take something, great. If not, pitch it and don’t look back (you got your use/enjoyment out of it). I lived with a lot of hand-me-down furniture (and milk crate storage/tv stands) for a long time. Less common now (many reasons for that including kids are more likely to live greater distances from parents/older siblings compared to 20-30 years ago which makes sharing those items less practical).
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North San Diego County.
If I had more room in my house, I would keep the set and have it restored. It’s good quality, sturdy, and in good condition. I can tell that the previous owners had started to restore the set before they gave it to my daughter. @deb922 I would also use a staple gun to “fix” the chair padding and fabric. You can’t tell by the pictures, but the fabric looks like a satin blend with a small “fleur de lis” print.
When my father-in-law passed away, several years ago, he had purchased living room sets with couches and tables. No agency wanted to take them. The upholstery was not considered “modern” in design. The fabric was rough and had a smell I can’t describe; we ultimately took the couches (via “in-law” pressure) because they were in really good shape. We had to have them reupholstered to match our colors and to get rid of the smell.
it’s vintage eclectic - I really (really!!) hope someone snags it - can you contact an estate sale company and ask them to just have it - someone really will want it…
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If you live in a town with a dump, they may have a shed where you can drop and collect items free. I have had people remove things from my arms between the car and the shed!
I have seen people do some really terrific things with cast-offs. But you need to live in a community where people have both the skills and imagination to do this.
One relative did an incredible rain barrel - irrigation system for their gardens using old water heater tanks!
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This is my opinion also. This will be of value to someone who is handy enough to fix it up.
Someone I know is buying a house next week and has literally no furniture at all. If the location were better it would be perfect for them. However, California is too far away for them. There should be other people in a similar situation but who are in California.
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I’m currently on the Facebook Buy Nothing group. Lots of positive comments about the set (“beautiful”, “wish I could”, “keep it” etc).
I’m right there with everyone! So sorry to lose the craftsmanship!
It has to go given lack of space inside and in garage! Still finishing our remodel from our flood last September.
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I sent in pictures twice to Restore and had no response- followed up with emails, too. Finally just put on my curb and all was taken.
Eventually a friend connected me with a newer, local non profit that was willing to take most anything and was able to donate most of my parents’ furniture to them - I also gave them a nice $ donation.
The thought of all that furniture going to the dump bothered me.
Many of my friends, like me, are doing some remodeling and have discussed at length what to do with all the old stuff.
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This!!!
I’m getting more likes on the Buy Nothing site and everyone wants me to “save it”, but my husband wanted it gone last weekend. I have to get rid of it.
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Have you reached out to any vintage furniture shops - not antique fru-fru shops but like more of a younger style boho shop that sometimes flips furniture - I did a quick search on Instagram because I follow many such shops/vendors (many don’t have a storefront or anything they sell right from Instagram) - I thought this one had pieces in a similar genre that might flip your set.
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Discussion reminds me of when my grandmother moved out of her apartment into a nursing home decades ago. She wouldn’t throw anything out. Just couldn’t let anything go. Quality too good. Couldn’t see anything go to waste. So we started telling her we had uses for the various items. That made her happy and we took them all to the dumpster. Was a win-win.
Maybe I will start a charity. Finding homes for furniture/items that no one wants but that the owners feel bad about throwing away. We will pick it up and then throw it away. We will take your items for free but ask that a small donation be made to help the cause. That will cover pickup and dump costs.
Confident that some of the items that people give away now end up in the dump soon thereafter. Probably because the owner was so desperate and asked so many people if they would take the item or knew someone who would that friends and family just wanted it to stop. LOL
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This is an interesting thread… I struggle with taking quality items to the dump as well. (I also have an issue throwing out good food… I’m the doggy bag lady, but that’s for another thread 
) Basically I don’t like waste. I know there are creative talented people out there who can do something with items with “good bones”, but it is interesting what charities will no longer accept. Here, I’ve had the best luck with HfH Restore. I sent many items there when I downsized several years ago.
So, at the risk of hijacking this thread, what is your opinion on this mid century piece? It was at my grandmother’s lake house since delivery in 1959. The fabric is original as well so I’m considering recovering and keeping it. It is solid, heavy furniture. There is also a sentimental attachment as all major holidays were celebrated with meals at this table. My current style leans transitional/contemporary in this home.
This room is a bit in flux (excuse the lamps on the floor) but hopefully you can see enough. I’m also including a picture of the lighting I’m considering. Thoughts??? Keep it, sell it, give it away? (Table, 8 chairs, buffet, china cabinet)
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I think it’s beautiful, very mid century modern feel.
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I would keep! Stylish and good memories:)
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Definitely a keeper for me! Freshen up with a new fabric, and it will look awesome.
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If you don’t keep it definitely try to sell it. I have a friend who has similar style table and chairs in her kitchen. I know she paid a decent amount for them used.
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