One Person's Garbage Is Another Person's Treasure!

People usually move out of their apartments around the first and the fifteenth of the month and during those weeks, they will get rid of items that they don't want anymore or can't take with them to their new apartment. That's a great time to go exploring the streets and sidewalks for great finds such as furniture and the like.

Today, I was pleasantly surprised to find a pair of Japanese shoji screen dividers on a pile of garbage bags and old electronic gadgets. Apparently someone was moving out and discarded them. They were in perfect condition but unfortunately, I could only carry one back to my apartment (TIP: Go furniture hunting with a roommate or friend with a car).
Usually these screen dividers retail for about $100 and I was able to get this one for nothing!
Most of the furniture in my apartment were other people's cast-offs that I was able to serendipitously find on the sidewalks of Manhattan. The better the neighborhood, of course, you'll find better furniture.

Sometimes, you can find a working lamp, with just the shade torn, but if it is to your liking and you are a bit handy & crafty, you can just replace the shade yourself with a new one or even make one! Many of the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) shows on TV can show you how to renovate or refurbish found furniture and a fresh coat of paint can do wonders! A great tip is to avoid picking up an item that you found if it is already raining or soaking wet as it will be difficult to get it dry, especially if it is fabric upholstered like a sofa, futon, or rug. I would avoid picking up a used bed or mattress. Buy a brand new one, you don't want to risk bringing back bed bugs or something. If you are a serious furniture hunter, you might want to rent a small truck and cruise the streets looking for other people's unwanted items especially if you know you will be picking up a large item like a sofa or loftbed. If you check out Craigslist, you can find people selling their large furniture for a steal and it it doesn't sell by the time they have to evacuate the apartment, it will wind up in the street, ready for someone to happen upon it and take it home for free.