People Share What They Found Thrown Away And The Phrase ‘One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure’ Has Never Been So Real (40 New Pics)
It's called stooping, and it's how people get secondhand furniture from New York City curbs for free. Basically, it goes like this: someone who no longer needs their old mid-century coffee table puts it on the sidewalk in front of their home and anyone who might find it useful can simply pick it up.
Stooping is a longtime tradition but in the summer of 2019, it got a modern twist when a couple from Brooklyn created an Instagram account to help castaways find their new owners. Without overthinking, they called it Stooping NYC and started sharing everything the streets had to offer.
Loyal Bored Panda readers should remember this online project since we've already written about it here, here, and here. However, it just hit a huge milestone: 250K followers. So we thought it's a nice occasion to pay them another visit.
More info: Instagram
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West Elm Industrial Coffee Table With Storage
Are You Kidding Me
"Stooping has been around in NYC long before [our Instagram account], and we think that the concept is so relevant to the city because of what it means to life in the city itself," the couple behind the account, who want to remain anonymous, told Bored Panda.
"People move so frequently, no apartment is ever really the same, the transient nature of New York... all of that means that people are always looking for new furniture, or hoping to get rid of what they have. The act of stooping has seemingly become the New York version of 'paying it forward.'"
Get Lit With These Tiffany Lamps!
O M G!!
Visual Merchandising At Its Finest!
As the couple highlighted in one of our earlier conversations, hosting stooping on social media not only means that the locals have a much better chance to find what they need, but it also allows to 'export' a part of the city to outsiders, allowing them to have a digital walk through the neighborhoods.
"It gives access to a piece of New York City culture to people who follow from far and wide," they explained back then.
"It also has enabled us to 'gameify' stooping, with stoopers sharing stories of things they spot, stoop, take home, and ultimately give new life to. It would really be challenging to tell stories around the pieces like we do on any other platform."
The Look Of A Stooping Success!!!
Sitting Very Pretty! Perfect Incredible Aqua Corner Sofa
As The Kids Would Say…GTFOH!
The couple behind the account also said that one NYC area in particular is stooping a lot more than the others.
"Brooklyn is by far the most active stooping borough, but there are a ton of stoops that we get daily from all pockets of the five boroughs, Jersey and even Long Island!"
Stoopers are excited about a lot of things, running the spectrum from essential apartment features like bookshelves and kitchen islands to valuable treasures, such as beanie baby collections and pianos, and beyond. Plus, they also make sure that no plant ends its days on concrete!
“Take Me! I Still Work. Unlike My Freeloading Ex-Boyfriend!!”
Red Alert!!!!! Beautiful Globe Bar Cart
Do you have clue how much those thing cost...The Antique Dealer in me is crying....
I understand. I can see someone posting online about having one and next thing they know is that they are getting offers to buy it!
Load More Replies...That is fantastic! Such a cool statement piece in any home! Modern interior designers would make it look just as amazing in a modern home as they could in a historic home. Personally, I just love the feeling that it's got age to it and has lived a life before it got to me, and that I would get to give it a whole new one (WITHOUT painting it, of course!). And I love the conversations it would start too!
I rarely drink anymore (more of a greenery fan), but have always wanted one of these beauties in the corner just looking all fab.
I need this in my reading room/ office. It would match beautifully. I am so in love with this piece!
My mother donated one when cleaning out my grandfathers house. I'm still salty about losing this piece. (And many others).
I own one of these nd they're not cheap to purchase but are pretty impressive next to a wet bar.
I saw a Tiktok of a woman repainting one of these- in white, I almost had a stroke.
A friend has one of these, and it's cheap MDF. Can't tell with this one, of course.
Don't let that woman who destroyed one, get hold of it!!
All I can think of is when that person painted and "diy'd" one of these into one of the ugliest monstrosities I've even seen
The wonderful thing is - if you own it, you can do whatever DIY you like with it. It is nobody else's business.
Load More Replies...Well This A Great Sunday Stoop! Stools Included!
Amazing
If you also want to try your luck hunting these gems, the couple said you should, "1) Follow @stoopingnyc on IG; 2) Turn on your notifications; and 3) Get ready to run when you see something you like! Things go quickly."
Covid has had an impact on the stooping culture too. At the start of the pandemic when there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding health and safety protocols, the couple refrained from posting. But once they started up again in the summer, they were flooded with a wave of submissions caused by New Yorkers leaving the city.
"In a moment in time when good news can seem few and far between, we continue to feel so lucky to have such a positive and wonderful community of stoopers that are focused on sharing with each other!" they added.
Super Cute “Free And Clean” Couch
Holy Saturday!
Holy Marvel!
Oh Baby!
Let The Saturday Bangers Begin
Gorg Table
I Don’t Want To Be Rude, But Why Hasn’t Someone Written Us A Stoop Anthem?!
Already Packed And Ready To Be Stooped
I Mean… Are You Serious? This Baby Blue Leather Couch Is Amaaaazing!
Super Cool Designed Trunk!
Free Yoga Mats
Drafting Table Alert!!
Beetle
Wowzers!
Oh The Snacks I Would Put In These!
How Amazing!
Banger Alert!!
Table For 4!
Basically The Cutest Little Cooking Machine Ever
Wow!! Haul!
What A Beauty!
Amazing Six Drawer Credenza
Bring Friends! In Front Of The Lab On Newel St In Greenpoint
We Were Going To Go To Bed But Barbie’s Playhouse Exploded
Mid Century Modern Recliner. Comes With A Beer. You’re Welcome
Love This Christmas Couch
Do You Have The Longest Apartment In The World? Then This Is For You!
We’ve Seen A Single Red High Heel Chair Before... But A Pair??
Tell Me This Mirror Wouldn’t Make You Super Happy!
And It Just Got Watered
Zero Doubt This Was Going To Be An Awesome Stooping Success
A Little Fire To Start Your Morning!
Plant Parents Unite!! Save This Baby!
I've been wanting a monstera plant for months now! 😭😭Not fair God, not fair
This A Classic Table!
Instant Apartment Upgrade!
Save It From The Rain!
Gong Show!!
The Weekend Looks Good
So beautiful. I like worked materials. So much interesting than a plain one.
Marvel Gaming Chair!
Free Orchids!!!!
This is how I got my beautiful full of flowers orchids. The person was giving a party and want them with flowers. Went to a flower shop and put the ones without flowers out of the house.
Gorg Dresser
I'd put a botanical or geometric wallpaper on the drawer fronts, and maybe replace the hardware. Nice, sturdy looking piece.
Amazing Wednesday Find!!
This Is The Smaaaart Decision
NYC Is Officially Insane. It’s Gone
Come. On. Every. Damn. Day
I Like The Suggested Bar Shelf
The ancestral spirits would love to be remembered with some good cheer.
What A Little Slice Of Happiness!
So So So Perfect
Hand Made Or IKEA Made? Who Cares! It’s Great!
This Is The Pink Kitchen Of Your Dreams! Well… At Least Sort Of
Together with the pink room some posts before and you are settled to pink paradise.
What Does This Couch Remind You Of???
Super Cute!
My Goodness. Statement Piece!
A Salmon Vision
Have You Always Wanted A Painting Of A Tiny Dog On A Tricycle?! Now Is Your Chance!
Verified Stooping Champs!
The Stoops Are Alive Today!
Lip Shaped Really Nice Coffee Table
Massive Warehouse Clean Out Means A Huge Stooping Haul
If This Vanity Could Talk It Would Say “Don’t Look Me In The Eye”
Wow, a gorgeous antique piece - with all the trim and glass intact!
We Got To This!
It just needs a good cleaning and ya'll gonna need a bit mo stuffin'!
Well... I Think It’s Fair To Say This Couch Is Not For Everyone
Hopefully Not Too Wet!
And Another One
Real Flowers Are So Overrated. Am I Right?
So So So Good!!!
But The Cheetah Print Though
How Beautiful Is This?!
Ummm Adorable!
A Tangerine Dream!
Omg. Stoop Chair Is Not Only Back But It Multiplied!
When Cocacola Is Life
Stooper Moving To LA
Mirror, Mirror On The Wall Vibes!
Vintage Fanciness!! It's A Lamp Extravaganza!
Did Someone Say Banger?!
And I’m Dead
Why are people throwing away so many gorgeous blue pieces? This is special! (My hair is blue, I'm biased).
And I’m Dead
White Leather Baby!
Cuffing Season Comes Early
You Can Get A Monitor Off Stooping Quicker Than From Your IT Department
Fun!
Omg
It. Is. Back!!!!
Stooping Saturday!
Excuse Me…are You The Cutest Mirror I’ve Ever Seen?
Have You Been Looking For A Wine Rack Shaped Like A Bull Standing Upright While Holding A Platter? We Delivered
Another Day, Another Stoop Journey (Not To Mention Excellent Balance)
Excuse Me I’m Dead At The Cuteness. Baby Pink Dresser / Night Stand
What Is This? Lies Only!
Incredible! Cool Iron Side Tables, Sterling And Flatbush
Man, I love industrial stuff like this! Could also replace the glass with some sturdy plywood and cover with foam and leather for a couple of stools.
Well That’s Gorgeous
What ?!?! I'm looking on the wrong places or why I never find nice things like this.?
Run Don’t Walk! We All Need This In Our Lives!
This Blue Hand Chair Deserves A Caption Contest!
The Stooper Who Submitted This Informed Us That There Is Also A Bonus Toaster Oven Inside So You Can Both Store Shoes Here And Make Yourself A Bagel. Win/Win
Such A Good Stooping Day!!
12 Prince St By Elizabeth! Just Waiting For You!
Dream Seat!
This is the chair in your wood paneled study for your evening cigar and bourbon wind down.
Give Me A Bar, But Make It Vintage
Guys!! This Is A Halloween Costume!!! Amazing!
What In The World Is This? (See What I Did There?)
Is The Heart Chair The New Ear Mirror?!
I'd take it! I could just hear the Hubby if I brought that home. lol
Happy Friday!! Hand Painted IKEA Desk
That is nightmare fuel, right there- that blue thing walks in the night...
Vintage Peloton
It's called an exercise bike. Let's not make Peloton a catch-all name for exercise bikes in the way Kleenex came to mean tissues. Don't dumb it down for your audience. Lift them up with knowledge!
Can Someone Please Make Sure Its Been Rescued???
Gemmmmm
Another contender for a favorite chair—-and I like the petal green.
Of Course There Is A Photo Booth Out. Not Sure If It Works But Worth Finding Out!
Great to have for parties if it works. *sigh* parties, when will we have those again?
Lady In Red!
This Is So Much More Than A Free Couch… It’s A Hot Pink Free Couch
Tell Me You’re A Couch In Williamsburg Without Telling Me You’re A Couch In Williamsburg
It’s All About The Details
If Elmo Were A Chair
Holy Caption Contest!
When You Need Somewhere To Put Your Jeans But Also Want To Check Out Your Current Fit
Excuse Me While I Pass Away Over This Mirror!
Anyone Opening A Bodega?
Have You Been Thinking 'All That’s Missing From My Home Decor Is A Giant, Papier Mache Camel?'
Great Multi Tiered Mirror Situation On 60 Thompson!
We Can Confirm That This Is A Lamp. Also, This Will Most Definitely Give Me Nightmares Tonight
It’s Baaaaack
Caption Contest!
Sadly I have never lived anywhere that offers this kind of glory on the streets for free.
One thing you have to look out for in NYC and other big cities is bedbugs. The cities are infested with them and street furniture is one easy to spread them. They are notoriously hard to get rid of. And once one apartment gets them, every other place in the building will too.
Yup. There's a reason brass and iron bedsteads were all the rage in the 19th century - bedbugs didn't lay their eggs in the crevices as they did with wooden beds. Anything soft and upholstered is also a risk.
Load More Replies...It wasn't always so, but I'd be wary these days. I picked up bedbugs in a hotel a few years ago, took me nearly a year to get rid of them and when I saw my neighbors piling up a houseful of furniture on their lot, and then furniture from their grown kids' houses, I knew exactly what that was. I also bought a microwave from a guy on Craigslist a while back and it sat in my kitchen for hours before I realized it was absolutely crawling with cockroaches on the inside so I'd definitely stop and ask myself why a "perfectly good" item was sitting on the curb in front of someone's house.
In a way it's a good thing people don't do that in my city. My apartment is way too small for all the things I'd bring in thinking "I'll fit it SOMEWHERE" 😂
That's how some of those things end up on the curb. "I can make it fit." are some famous last words.
Load More Replies...Okay, sorry for the negative thought but seeing this makes me think about the society we live in. We are living in such a capitalist world that we are throwing away perfectly fine furniture just to buy new one again and again. Just because we dont like the color or the style. It's so weird to me. My grandma has this old furniture which she had since she got married and whenever I talk to her she is like "well why should I throw it away if it works." I can imagine some of these people are moving and want to get rid of stuff but I doubt it thats the case for most of these.
Moving or becoming homeless or someone died. I also understand that after some time you dont like a certain piece anymore and feel wayy better after removing it, but I think its better to sell or donate or give away than throwing it away or leaving it in the rain to rot.
Load More Replies...My neighbors across the street decided to sell their house, put everything in storage and do a road trip to figure out where they wanted to live next. They gave away SO much cool furniture and decor!! I redid my daughters room with a new desk, leather chairs, a new rug...it was amazing!!
Exactly as it should be, Amy. What a waste to send decent things to a landfill. Right? Kudos to your neighbors for passing things on.
Load More Replies...I just got most of the articles from this post, now please someone give a free house big enough to fit all the couches I collected here.
Not everyone has money for a car or a plane ticket to transport these. God. "Why would anyone leave this??" BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP IT.
I now live in England and they SERIOUSLY will fine you for fly-tipping for this. It was wonderful to be able to put something out and have it go to someone who wants. I miss it so much.
For anyone else who needed to look up fly-tipping, it is: "the illegal deposit of any waste on to land that does not have a license to accept it".
Load More Replies...Most of these look like they're in cities where a lot of people don't drive or have access to a truck, so it's not easy to sell or move furniture. Here in Los Angeles, the only stuff you ever find on the street is garbage. If someone has something halfway nice, they sell it. Even if you don't have a truck, everyone knows someone who has a truck, or you can pay someone $50 to haul it.
You find a friend with a dolly and/or a strong back and some free time. Pay them in pizza.
Load More Replies...My advice is to join your local Free Goods or Freecycle group on FB - the people around me give away cool stuff all the time, you just have to be quick (which I'm not, thankfully, my house is already full...)
You'd get fined for leaving stuff on the street in my country. It's called littering.
I've heard of a few immigrants leaving their furniture out when travelling to avoid paying rent. This could be one of the reasons why such good furniture is left out in the open :(
And over the last few years there have been a lot of dead elderly people whose estates needed clearing up...
Load More Replies...Unfortunately most people are ungrateful, unappreciative, and uncaring; things which others could use and treasure shall not be trashed!!!! Our planet is not a garbage dump.
my parents found a gorgeous vintage walnut wood table on the road 20 years ago, we still have it and i use it to study on and it smells so woody even after more than 20 years
My friend’s dad found a perfectly working air hockey table and also a cotton candy machine! I don’t think same day tho lol
I don't know where y'all live where such beauties are just thrown out, but I want to live there!
New york city, where no-one can afford to live qnd half the population doesn't drive
Load More Replies...So many of these items date from the 1950s-60s, or even earlier. I recognized what my grandmother called a chifferobe, more or less in the style of hers dating back to the 1920s or 30s. There's virtually no market for it, and particularly boomers who are downsizing or moving to senior communities have no one to give it to. Their adult children have their own homes and furniture. It was very hard for me to give up so much of my parents' very well-made but old furniture that I could not ship to my home, nor find room for had I been able to pay the cost to transport it. Still wishing that I had been able to.
Where I live all of these items would be for sale for incredibly high prices.
Not one item here appeals to me. Nope, TYVM. Upholstered furniture could be harbouring fleas, flea eggs, bed bugs etc too.
I remeber how shoking it was finding to me to find brand new plates, mugs, coffee tables and chairs on the sidewalk when I was a kid. In France, we don't do that. Well I do sometimes. So in 70's as we were moving in Queens, my mother had sort of a special gifty bringing back stuff. Cleaned, sometimes repainted they save us money. It was fun.
SOOOO jealous of these, especially the gorgeous round red sofa/armchair
I probably wouldn't take upholstered furniture off the street straight into my house, but I would give it a good de-lousing and deep-cleaning treatment first!
These are all so beautiful and valuable - I'm glad they get to be loved more than once by people who get a chance to live with them, to love them and after a time, I hope people pop them back out onto the street for other caring people to find for free.
With wooden furniture and upholstery it's also worth checking for damp, mould and mildew, particularly lines of black along wooden joints, as once they're somewhere warm even small amounts can give off spores that could be a problem for someone with asthma. I speak from miserable experience!
I am so jelly. Even if I find something I don't have a car or the resources to grab it.
The word “stooping” really rubs me the wrong way in this context, I don’t know why.
Why o why put it out in the rain while you can use an nice second hand platform like Marktplaats??
Not everyone is on marktplaats and if you're moving out you won't be there. Duh
Load More Replies...Sadly I have never lived anywhere that offers this kind of glory on the streets for free.
One thing you have to look out for in NYC and other big cities is bedbugs. The cities are infested with them and street furniture is one easy to spread them. They are notoriously hard to get rid of. And once one apartment gets them, every other place in the building will too.
Yup. There's a reason brass and iron bedsteads were all the rage in the 19th century - bedbugs didn't lay their eggs in the crevices as they did with wooden beds. Anything soft and upholstered is also a risk.
Load More Replies...It wasn't always so, but I'd be wary these days. I picked up bedbugs in a hotel a few years ago, took me nearly a year to get rid of them and when I saw my neighbors piling up a houseful of furniture on their lot, and then furniture from their grown kids' houses, I knew exactly what that was. I also bought a microwave from a guy on Craigslist a while back and it sat in my kitchen for hours before I realized it was absolutely crawling with cockroaches on the inside so I'd definitely stop and ask myself why a "perfectly good" item was sitting on the curb in front of someone's house.
In a way it's a good thing people don't do that in my city. My apartment is way too small for all the things I'd bring in thinking "I'll fit it SOMEWHERE" 😂
That's how some of those things end up on the curb. "I can make it fit." are some famous last words.
Load More Replies...Okay, sorry for the negative thought but seeing this makes me think about the society we live in. We are living in such a capitalist world that we are throwing away perfectly fine furniture just to buy new one again and again. Just because we dont like the color or the style. It's so weird to me. My grandma has this old furniture which she had since she got married and whenever I talk to her she is like "well why should I throw it away if it works." I can imagine some of these people are moving and want to get rid of stuff but I doubt it thats the case for most of these.
Moving or becoming homeless or someone died. I also understand that after some time you dont like a certain piece anymore and feel wayy better after removing it, but I think its better to sell or donate or give away than throwing it away or leaving it in the rain to rot.
Load More Replies...My neighbors across the street decided to sell their house, put everything in storage and do a road trip to figure out where they wanted to live next. They gave away SO much cool furniture and decor!! I redid my daughters room with a new desk, leather chairs, a new rug...it was amazing!!
Exactly as it should be, Amy. What a waste to send decent things to a landfill. Right? Kudos to your neighbors for passing things on.
Load More Replies...I just got most of the articles from this post, now please someone give a free house big enough to fit all the couches I collected here.
Not everyone has money for a car or a plane ticket to transport these. God. "Why would anyone leave this??" BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP IT.
I now live in England and they SERIOUSLY will fine you for fly-tipping for this. It was wonderful to be able to put something out and have it go to someone who wants. I miss it so much.
For anyone else who needed to look up fly-tipping, it is: "the illegal deposit of any waste on to land that does not have a license to accept it".
Load More Replies...Most of these look like they're in cities where a lot of people don't drive or have access to a truck, so it's not easy to sell or move furniture. Here in Los Angeles, the only stuff you ever find on the street is garbage. If someone has something halfway nice, they sell it. Even if you don't have a truck, everyone knows someone who has a truck, or you can pay someone $50 to haul it.
You find a friend with a dolly and/or a strong back and some free time. Pay them in pizza.
Load More Replies...My advice is to join your local Free Goods or Freecycle group on FB - the people around me give away cool stuff all the time, you just have to be quick (which I'm not, thankfully, my house is already full...)
You'd get fined for leaving stuff on the street in my country. It's called littering.
I've heard of a few immigrants leaving their furniture out when travelling to avoid paying rent. This could be one of the reasons why such good furniture is left out in the open :(
And over the last few years there have been a lot of dead elderly people whose estates needed clearing up...
Load More Replies...Unfortunately most people are ungrateful, unappreciative, and uncaring; things which others could use and treasure shall not be trashed!!!! Our planet is not a garbage dump.
my parents found a gorgeous vintage walnut wood table on the road 20 years ago, we still have it and i use it to study on and it smells so woody even after more than 20 years
My friend’s dad found a perfectly working air hockey table and also a cotton candy machine! I don’t think same day tho lol
I don't know where y'all live where such beauties are just thrown out, but I want to live there!
New york city, where no-one can afford to live qnd half the population doesn't drive
Load More Replies...So many of these items date from the 1950s-60s, or even earlier. I recognized what my grandmother called a chifferobe, more or less in the style of hers dating back to the 1920s or 30s. There's virtually no market for it, and particularly boomers who are downsizing or moving to senior communities have no one to give it to. Their adult children have their own homes and furniture. It was very hard for me to give up so much of my parents' very well-made but old furniture that I could not ship to my home, nor find room for had I been able to pay the cost to transport it. Still wishing that I had been able to.
Where I live all of these items would be for sale for incredibly high prices.
Not one item here appeals to me. Nope, TYVM. Upholstered furniture could be harbouring fleas, flea eggs, bed bugs etc too.
I remeber how shoking it was finding to me to find brand new plates, mugs, coffee tables and chairs on the sidewalk when I was a kid. In France, we don't do that. Well I do sometimes. So in 70's as we were moving in Queens, my mother had sort of a special gifty bringing back stuff. Cleaned, sometimes repainted they save us money. It was fun.
SOOOO jealous of these, especially the gorgeous round red sofa/armchair
I probably wouldn't take upholstered furniture off the street straight into my house, but I would give it a good de-lousing and deep-cleaning treatment first!
These are all so beautiful and valuable - I'm glad they get to be loved more than once by people who get a chance to live with them, to love them and after a time, I hope people pop them back out onto the street for other caring people to find for free.
With wooden furniture and upholstery it's also worth checking for damp, mould and mildew, particularly lines of black along wooden joints, as once they're somewhere warm even small amounts can give off spores that could be a problem for someone with asthma. I speak from miserable experience!
I am so jelly. Even if I find something I don't have a car or the resources to grab it.
The word “stooping” really rubs me the wrong way in this context, I don’t know why.
Why o why put it out in the rain while you can use an nice second hand platform like Marktplaats??
Not everyone is on marktplaats and if you're moving out you won't be there. Duh
Load More Replies...