Why is it so difficult to give furniture away?

Doodledog

I think people need to ask themselves why they are getting rid of things, before accusing others of being too fussy for not wanting them.

Downsizing mostly for our age group, surely. And the sadness to see fabulous craftmanship go to waste and replaced with rubbish which won't last more than a couple of years.

There is nothing wrong with wanting other, different stuff- but it often leads to regular replacements due to poor quality, not good for the environment. But mostly. it leads to DEBT for so many, DEBT which drags them down very long term and is also costing society and social services, etc, hugely.

I suspect that dark furniture will be back in fashion soon. Probably not in the same style as before (or people would be able to buy it second hand, so there would be no profits for the manufacturers ), but with what is always called 'a modern twist'.

I grew up in the 60s surrounded by what is now called 'MCM' or mid-century modern furniture, and it was the last thing I would have wanted in my own home. I'd be happy with some of it now, though, and have seen my parents' G Plan nest of tables and sideboard selling for quite a lot on Etsy (not their actual ones, but the same styles).

Each generation* rejects the styles of the one before, but what goes around comes around.

(* not everyone, obviously, before someone tells me about exceptions to the rule )

I was able to get rid of some dark furniture which we "inherited" from a friend's parent who died.
We kept several items because it matches our own boring dark furniture.

My own 3 piece suite was sold by a charity shop when we replaced it. Obviously I have good taste 😁

Yes, but whereas I understand that it would be better for the planet and easier for you if people came and took it away, the reality is that you probably will have to pay someone to dispose of it, for all the reasons mentioned on this thread.

Doodledog

I think people need to ask themselves why they are getting rid of things, before accusing others of being too fussy for not wanting them.

Well in our case, it's because my in-laws have had to go into care and their house is being sold to pay for it, so we need to clear everything out. Family members have taken what they can, but there's still quite a bit left. I've advertised quite a few things on a local free sharing group today, so hopefully we will manage to shift some of it - failing that, we will have to get someone in to do a house clearance.

Doodledog

I think people need to ask themselves why they are getting rid of things, before accusing others of being too fussy for not wanting them.

Some posters aren’t getting it 😄

I tried to give away an immaculate z bed and nobody wanted it. They are so useful!

With you on this one. A 3 seater lazy boy sofa in excellent condition cpukd give it away so it's now at the tip. Makes me so sad.

I think people need to ask themselves why they are getting rid of things, before accusing others of being too fussy for not wanting them.

The issue is that a lot of people dislike dark, heavy and carved Victorian furniture, me included. Tastes have changed, I love the simpler lines of Georgian, and have gathered a few pieces over the years, but it tends to be more expensive, and I wouldn’t want to fill the whole house with it - but it goes better with more modern furniture than Victorian/Edwardian furniture does.
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It is possible to furnish your house cheaply, but unless you have absolutely no choice I’m not a fan of ‘making do’. I’ve donated a few things to BHF, but understandably they only want things they can sell on, so I’ve used the local Facebook selling page too, the upcyclers are sometimes interested. If not, I use the Council’s collection service, I think you can only do so much before you have to let things go regardless.

Lots and lots of Victorian terrace houses are tiny, even when compared with modern houses and flats. They were furnished with items that were the right scale for their homes and plenty of it is still around.

Go to an auction sale and you would be able to buy enough furntiture of the right scale to furnish a modern 1/2 bedroomed house/flat for well under £500.

When DD bought her first flat, some years ago now, but that £500 covered curtains and soft furnishings as well.

Recently we bought a modern 6 foot tall set of pine book shelves for £20. They hadn't sold at auction, but we spoke to the auctioneer the next day and did a deal. We could of course, have gone to the local pine furniture shop and paid nearly £300 for the same item brand new.

I host young people on a site called Helpx.
Over the years 100s have stayed here and in their reviews they often remark on the quirky furniture and decor which seems normal to me.
One lass from Spain was keen to do some renovations and she ripped off a couple of plastic tabletops replacing them with sawn wooden doors she found in a skip.
So it's not all young people who are wedded to IKEA.

I don’t know what counts as ‘young’ people now (those who demand everything new) but having worked abroad for some years dd and SiL had not so much as a teaspoon when they bought their first house 8 years ago - they were both late 30s - and were only too glad of any 2nd hand donations - from furniture to crockery and cutlery.

They’ve gradually replaced much of it, but dd still buys virtually everything 2nd hand from FB marketplace or Gumtree. She’s found some amazing bargains, inc. a lovely John Lewis extending kitchen table - and very good quality dining chairs for peanuts.

Jaxjacky

A lot of youngster live in smaller houses/flats, many pieces of older furniture are large, cumbersome and darker, they don’t suit the more confined spaces. Having furniture reupholstered, stripped back, stained or remodelled is expensive and time consuming compared with the likes of IKEA.

I think you're correct for many people. We live in a small, very old farmhouse, pre-Victorian, I suppose. But small is relative init? The ceilings are sky high - room for larger pieces.

I find sanding/stripping/painting old brown wood furniture easy and cheap as chips - we're all different aren't we?

A lot of youngster live in smaller houses/flats, many pieces of older furniture are large, cumbersome and darker, they don’t suit the more confined spaces. Having furniture reupholstered, stripped back, stained or remodelled is expensive and time consuming compared with the likes of IKEA.

One of the nicest things about preferring old and antique furniture is that I am surrounded by things, that remind me of people I love.

My hall table and occasional table belonged to my grandmother and I loved them, even as a child, the same with a wonderful revolving bookcase that my parents owned. Until recently I had a dresser that belonged to my sister inthe kitchen, which I did sell, when a kitchen extension meant it was too tall for the house.

My family swap furniture like other families swap clothes and several items encapsulate memories of 3 family members, who all owned it before it made its way to me.

As I said I am not overly sentimental about items, and if they no longer fit they go, but I like the sense of continuity.

Blondiescot I'm currently sitting on my family sofa which I "grew up with" bought 2nd hand in 1950 and subsequently recovered several times as needed!
This included pink brocade, red boucle, teal/petrol woven fabric, red velvet, - currently pale teal velvet
Now needs doing again.

A friend took my husband's family's g-plan sofa which had also been recovered several times.

I think some of us just like what we have and don't feel the urge to start again.

I know a few posters have touched on the subject of up-cycled furniture but seriously, why not have a go at up-cycling your stuff? Then sell it. Up-cycled furniture is a 'thing' now and if you have a look at sellers websites, the prices they are asking are eye-watering. There are some beautiful items available. You never know, you could make a fortune. You might even enjoy it! Plenty of 'how to' videos on social media. recycleforgreatermanchester.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-upcycling-furniture/

Some good, heartwarming stories on here!
I discovered Freecycle many years ago when our DC were leaving home and I was keen to slim down our possessions but unfortunately I kept seeing things I wanted to rescue so ended up with an harmonium, a 3 piece suite, tables, a handmade bed. Oh dear.
This evening, as a result of this thread I went on the site asking for a kitchen cabinet for my workshop.
I mustn't have worded it properly because instead of some throw out I am being offered bespoke made to measure designer furniture. Oops!

Yes, transport can be a big issue for some folk on Freecycle. I've had quite a few requests "will you deliver if I pay costs?" Often we are happy to.
I usually say "Oh, I'm going that way anyway" and won't take any money.
I could have wept at the expression on 2 kids' faces when I dropped off my old bunk beds (from my childhood, kept at my parents' home for my kids, and finally gifted when they had outgrown them). The kids had been top-and-tailing on a settee and were so excited at getting their own beds.
I made sure that the parents were aware that they were old, but sturdy.

MaggsMcG

People are too fussy even on free sites. However sometimes it's a matter of timing and transport costs. I keep finding people desperate for furniture but can't get transport to get it there. Large items of furniture like dressers are not very popular at the moment.

Our home is completely furnished in very old brown furniture. Our daughters have done the same. All the old family furniture has been given out and used, re-furbished/ painted.

However, many don't like old brown furniture. I understand, ok for them.

People are too fussy even on free sites. However sometimes it's a matter of timing and transport costs. I keep finding people desperate for furniture but can't get transport to get it there. Large items of furniture like dressers are not very popular at the moment.

Not only is our house furnished almost entirely with second-hand furniture, but so is DS's and DD's. Our 15 year old DGD has recently completely revamped and redecorated her bedroom, including buying second hand furniture and painting it.

My daughter will be looking for furniture soon. Moving to a 2 bed flat. Lives in London.

BHF took some of my parents furniture when they went into their care homes. Wouldn’t take the beautiful large unit as said it was too big so advertised it for free but ended up chopping it up. They wouldn’t take the tv stand as they said you can’t give them away!