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)
InterviewCombing through junk has become a quintessential New York experience. And when we say junk, we mean midcentury dressers, velvet couches, and tables and chairs of all shapes and sizes that would look absolutely perfect in your apartment. Apparently, the Big Apple is awash with marvelous items sitting on the sidewalks, up for grabs for anyone who finds them way too good to ignore.
Stooping — people discarding the things they no longer need on the curb to be salvaged by any passerby who might need them — is a thriving tradition that the Instagram phenomenon called 'Stooping NYC' proudly documents. Or, as a couple from Brooklyn who created the account previously told us, "it really is an activity that’s built into the culture of being a New Yorker."
As people always on the move cast away goldmines of curbside gems for anyone lucky and quick enough to snatch them off the concrete, the scavenging aficionados regularly share photos and locations of freebies for the taking. "One person’s trash is another person’s treasure", after all. So to celebrate other people’s stooping success, we gathered the newest batch of exciting pieces to share with you all. So continue scrolling to check them all out and be sure to upvote your favorite ones!
Psst! After you’re done, treat yourself to some more 'Stooping NYC' goodness from our previous posts here, here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
Sleek!
Omg. Free Flowers
A Beautiful Entry Table
Although stooping, or curb mining, has been practiced by city dwellers for a long time, the trend got a modern twist after 'Stooping NYC' turned it into a fun, treasure-hunting, community-based adventure. Today, the page has reached another milestone of amassing more than 400k dedicated scavenging enthusiasts who eagerly await new castaways to appear on their feed.
In today’s consumerist society, 'Stooping NYC' is an extremely refreshing outlet. The creators who run the account show an example of how we all can contribute to the good of the planet by giving new life to discarded furniture, electronics, plants, and toys, and saving them from a trip to the landfill. What's more, they connect thrifty New Yorkers with a bonanza of freebies that fill their apartments, as well as their hearts, with joy.
"Knowing what stoopers need and what makes them excited, we try to prioritize items we receive that fit into those categories," they told us a while back. "But we really try to post as much as is physically possible (there are only 2 of us and we want to make sure we share as much as we can with the amazing Stooping NYC community)."
Say It With Me Now… Cuuuuute!
This Is A Run Don’t Walk Situation
Guess I am not the only plant-baby horder that has to clear their window sills regulary. I love the trend to swap your plants on the sidewalk.
Bored Panda reached out to the couple behind 'Stooping NYC', who prefer to remain anonymous, to find out how the community is doing lately. When asked about their project's incredible growth, the founders said, "It’s amazing! It gives us so much joy. We love this community and the positivity it puts out into the world."
As the number of sidewalk sleuths continues to grow every day, the couple believes that curb mining is on a path to becoming even more popular. "Not to mention there will always be a need for new cool stuff," they added.
The Dream Couch
Free House Plants Outside Chelsea Garden Center
We Call This Series “Night Journeys”
When it comes to the appeal and success of the platform, it seems to come from the couple’s efforts to appeal to a broad range of people. "From those who follow us and stoop as a means to save items from landfills, to those grabbing goods out of nostalgia (having thrifted as kids), to people who want the most unique apartments with money-can't-buy pieces, to those who love the gamification of a real-time scavenger hunt across the city."
By religiously sharing pictures and locations of amazing goods sitting out on the curb, they provide their community with a fun and free service. And the witty and informative captions they pair every post with are definitely a part of the draw.
Ummm…so The Disco Ball Was…xl…
If You’ve Followed Us For Awhile You Know About The Globe Bar.
Good Morning Sunshine
"Additionally, we have created content segments that make Stooping NYC an easy and exciting account to follow from afar, with fans in Europe, Canada, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Australia and Asia following every #stoopingsuccess to be a voyeur into the way New Yorkers live," the couple added. "The idea is so simple in so many ways, and we are amplifying it on a platform (IG) that is pretty universal, so all those things combined have contributed to our growing success."
Of course, the founders also noted that the idea of reusing and upcycling items itself has become aspirational for many. Whether consciously or not, stoopers contribute to the environmental benefits of buying less stuff by salvaging sidewalk castaways in a way that is interactive.
"As a total result, we continue to see more and more followers flock to and use our account to furnish their lives, saving things from landfills and ultimately encouraging a new generation to live more sustainable lives."
We Gasped When We Saw This Couch
Not Your Typical Storage!
Tell Me You’re An Upper West Side Cat Without Telling Me You’re An Upper West Side Cat
Pfff, my chonk of a cat would take one look at this thing and go back to playing in a cardboard box or scratching my couch.
If scrolling through this list inspired you to venture into the concrete jungle and feel the thrill of the hunt, the founders of this quirky NYC community were kind enough to offer some advice. When asked about the best times to explore the city’s sidewalks, "End of the month is always huge, but every day seems to be stooping days (with rain as the exception). Trash days are also determining factors sometimes too."
Speaking of the places curb miners can scout incredible finds, the couple said that the best locations are Upper West, Upper East, East Village, Soho, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Windsor Terrace, Bed Stuy, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Ridgewood, and Astoria. "But certainly not limited to those!"
Furthermore, remember that the journey doesn’t end when you spot a quality piece patiently waiting to be picked up, as "getting the item home is half the fun!"
Real Or Fake? And Does It Really Matter?
Beautiful plant! Sure you don't see a moving truck nearby and those are just waiting to be packed?
Someone left a plant last fall in the park, and it was getting too cold, so I had to bring it home. Replanted it and my son ended up taking it to work.
It Is National Hot Dog Day So A Relish Colored Chair Feels Appropriate
Just Your Daily Velvet Couch
If you’re a beginner stooper looking for ways to jump in on this eco zeitgeist train, the founders wanted to let you in on some stooping etiquette rules. "No mattresses," they said. "Make sure something is actually free before sending it to us (we’ve had to make a few apologies!). And then we love a fun item or a fun sign or story as much as we love a great item!"
And lastly, be sure to "turn your notifications on and get ready to goooooo," because the most priceless gems put out for the taking get scooped up real fast.
Holy Haul In Queens!
Have A Little Mustard At Your 4th Of July BBQ!
Brand New Rattan Light Fixtures From Bal! Run Don’t Walk
But at the same time, the scavengers who follow the account seem to have plenty to choose from. The couple told Bored Panda in one of our earlier publications that looking after the account takes quite a lot of work, as the amount of submissions they receive in their inbox is off the charts. "On a typical weekday, we get hundreds if not one thousand submissions. On the weekend (especially at the end of the month), we get thousands of DM submissions."
Umm The Mother Lode Of Everything Plant Babies!
All these plants look amazing. But I am always worried about getting bug infestations.
Weird That They Had To Specify It’s Not Haunted
Cool Coffee Table
Still, they dedicate time and effort to make sure that the objects they share would appeal to the community. Turns out, their fans are avid admirers of "anything high value, super colorful, unique and weird. That means that we end up prioritizing everything from beautiful velvet couches, neon-colored swivel chairs, copper claw-foot tubs, beanie baby collections, a pastel pink SMEG fridge and... as of this week... a collection of '90s erotica on VHS."
An Epic Hamster Home. 1338 Willoughby Ave Off The Corner Of Wycoff
An Aesthetically Pleasing Stoop
It’s Water Repellent!
This is why i don't like when people put furniture on the street. It may need to survive cold, heat, rain and snow if unlucky. There is no guarantee they will be saved ASAP.
The couple’s inspiring dedication and passion for the project really speak to their followers who get a chance to decorate their dwellings, as well as create new exciting memories with the things they find. "We both really love the creative outlet this gives us, as a couple we love the fact that we have this together (we end each day with a 'stoop review'), and more than anything we love the community we have built."
"So we definitely feel an obligation to that community to keep up with everything coming in, knowing that we have the privilege of giving people so much joy through what we post," they concluded.
Mirror Mirror On The Street
Great Haul
Don’t Sleep On This Stoop (But You Can Sleep In It)!
We’re Quilty Of Loving This Table And Chair!
New Surface For Mirror Selfies Just Dropped
Kudos to the photographer for not getting their reflection in the picture.
Well This Looks Nap-Ready!
Oh Boy. Better Run!
Besides Beautiful, What Is This?
Cutest Bar Cart Ever
The Worst Parallel Parker You Know
Finally A Flower That Won’t Die
Goooo
Holy!!!
Beautiful (But Heavy Looking) Desk
Rise & Shine Stoopers!
Stooping Success
Stooping A Stoop Is Something We Never Thought Would Be Possible Yet Here We Are
Stooping Success!
Easy clean for this nice bedframe. It'd be different if the mattress came with, I would not sleep on a used one.
Looks Comfy!
Tons Of Live Ferns Available Now!
Ferns are so beautiful, I'd love to have about 3-4 of them for the porch.
Holy Mcm S**t!!
Moooooving Day
You And Who?
Every Day You All Push The Boundaries Of Stooping
Our Favorite Kind Of Stoop! A Piano One!
These Are Stunning
Don’t Slip On This Steal
Maybe Our First Hammock?
Parents…this Is Incredible!
Free Sneakers And Dj Gear
I bet you his gf threw that stuff on the streets. You don't just give away dj equipment for free. It's expensive
Out Now
Heavy But Happy!
Okay… So I Don’t Know This Game But Who Doesn’t Dream Of Having An Arcade Game In Their House?!
68th And 3rd
Great Haul On 257 Water Street
His Absurdly Gorgeous 6 Foot Mirror Is Too Big For The Ig Frame!
Sad Lil Guy In Need Of Rescue Corner
Passing Go And Collecting $200 Is A Great Way To Start The Weekend
This Stoop Is The Apple Of Our Cacti
Amazing Stoop
What’s The Story Here? Size 6 Wedding Dress!
Never Too Late To Learn To Sew!
Reason Number 7362837283637 Why We Love NYC
Amazing Glass Coffee Table And Art
Gotta Do What You Gotta Do!
Groovy Baby
Haul Alert
Art…that You Can Also Sit On?
A Beautiful Table In A Beautiful Color On Beautiful Tile!
Home Run Of A Stoop. Calling All Man/Woman/Human Caves!
May I Present…the Banger Of The Day
Believe It Or Not This Was Spotted In NYC
Leonardo Di Caprio
An Amazing Stooping Success And Transformation
Any Drummers Out There Who Need To Complete Their Kit?
We All Know Someone Who Needs A Giant Connect Four Right?
Look At These Two Half Moon Tables!
Real Friends Aren’t Shell-Fish
Super Cute Corner Piece
Hello Kitty
A Great Haul
Audio Rack With Glass Door And A Lot Of Audio Equipment, All Able To Slide Out Individually
All Free Haul!
Give Some Tips! What Would You Do With These?
Gorgeous Mirror
Hot Tub Time Machine Eat Your Heart Out… It’s A Fax Time Machine!
Stooper Sad To See It Go
Not Just Free But Also Working
Night Time Gem
Didn’t Know We Needed A Petal Side Table Until Now
On The Corner Of 30th Avenue And 47 Street Queens
Omg
All Fun And Games At Howard And Broadway
Organization. But Make It Stylish
Now You Can Tell All Your Friends You Own A Boat
The Only Allowable “Blues” To Have On A Friday
NYC Just Hit Its Highest Positive Covid Percentage Since January
Cheers For Many Chairs!
Who Needs A Pink Couch When You Can Get These Two Incredible Pink Chairs!
Who’s Willing To Trek To Staten Island For This One? Free Ping Pong Table
Our Lives Will Peak When You Guys Start A Band With Only Stooped Instruments
Highlighter Couch!
Dumpster Diving For Bowling Balls Anyone?
Brb Going To Redecorate Our Apartment Around These Pieces
Calling All Parrot Heads
“Wasting away again in Margaritaville…” I honestly did not notice the text above the parrot before that song came to mind immediately, either!!
Romance Novels And A Lot Of Them
We All Know Someone Who Needs This Lighting Up Their Home
Holy. [poop]
It’s Mini!!
So. Much. Energy.
BBQ Ready!
My son in law has the medium sized lemon shaped Mike's Hard Lemonade table in a black background. It's glass and very nice. He'd love this grill.
We Thought The Fireworks Were Last Night!
There Is A Record Player Inside! Don’t Sleep On It!
Next Level Tetris!
You Better Get A Driver To Take You To This Amazing Stoop. There Was Also A Couch There But That Doesn’t Feel Relevan
Guess Who’s Back
That does not look very comfortable to me at all, but I can see why someone might enjoy it!
This Might Not Only Be A Pink Cactus, But The Stooper Pointed Out It Has A Switch
Wow. So many amazing pieces (and plants). It saddens me that in Spain no one would EVER leave anything like this on the sidewalk. People sell much worse things online and try to make a profit of really crappy furniture.
Same here in SA. Got people trying to sell broken electronics on facebook marketplace.
Load More Replies...I guess it was nearly 40 years ago, someone left out a pot of broadleaf palms that looked really sickly, but I thought could live. Since then, I have bought my own place, and the palms and their descendants form a nice hedge. I thank the person who abandoned them, and wish they could see how vigorous the plants are to this day.
My only concern is “passengers” in upholstery, so I would not bring upholstered objects into my house until they’re thoroughly checked out, and either cleaned or reupholstered. Older furniture can have good solid wood frames, and will last you forever with just one or two reupholsters (for wear or total redecorating) over the years.
Ngl, every time I see these "stooping" posts, I'm kind of envious. This doesn't really happen as much in the UK, and especially not around where I live. I've seen a rare few, but honestly nothing as nice as some of this stuff!
I have always wondered why the city council allows stuff left out on the footpath like that but I guess it's because nothing stays there long enough to be a nuisance.
I need to just go to NY for a weekend and walk around looking for curbside stuff.
While I've never found anything as nice as most of what was posted here, over the years I've lived in this apartment I've saved dozens and dozens of items from in and around the dumpster. Often when people move out whatever doesn't fit in the UHaul goes in the garbage. I've kept / used quite a few things and donated the rest to thrift stores.
Question: How do you seriously sanitize furniture that has been left outside.??? Or even used furniture? I mean sofas and chairs?
Reupholstering them if they are really worth it. Or steam cleaning them
Load More Replies...I grew up in New York City (lots of years ago), and I know many of my friends who furnished their apartments from items they found on the sidewalk. People from the rich neighborhoods would redecorate and just put the old stuff outside. Treasures!
Rule #1 of curb-crawling: Never take home anything fabric that won't fit in the washing machine. You don't know what's living in it. Especially if it's in that good of visual condition, why are they throwing it out?
I love that round glass table/sculpture. It speaks to me. Now I won't be able to get it out of my mind.
I think living in New York would give me a ridiculous level of anxiety, but stooping and eating all the delicious foods options would definitely help
My daughter was in the middle of moving and had a coffee table and a couple of chairs out on the sidewalk in preparation to figure out what to do with them. When she came down there were a couple of guts sitting around having drinks, they happily took them off her hands, hahaha!
Til that NYC is home to some seriously fugly 1960's velour furniture, especially the sofas and chairs. Some of the wood pieces are nice but a lot are also cheap pressed stuff is also 1960's butt ugly. I'm glad to people putting them out there, one mans trash, etc and love the idea of recycling, must be a helluva boon if you need furniture! Love the plant trading.
When you are a kid just starting out with a new apartment you will gladly take free stuff. Some of what you call fugly is actually very much in style right now
Load More Replies...Wow. So many amazing pieces (and plants). It saddens me that in Spain no one would EVER leave anything like this on the sidewalk. People sell much worse things online and try to make a profit of really crappy furniture.
Same here in SA. Got people trying to sell broken electronics on facebook marketplace.
Load More Replies...I guess it was nearly 40 years ago, someone left out a pot of broadleaf palms that looked really sickly, but I thought could live. Since then, I have bought my own place, and the palms and their descendants form a nice hedge. I thank the person who abandoned them, and wish they could see how vigorous the plants are to this day.
My only concern is “passengers” in upholstery, so I would not bring upholstered objects into my house until they’re thoroughly checked out, and either cleaned or reupholstered. Older furniture can have good solid wood frames, and will last you forever with just one or two reupholsters (for wear or total redecorating) over the years.
Ngl, every time I see these "stooping" posts, I'm kind of envious. This doesn't really happen as much in the UK, and especially not around where I live. I've seen a rare few, but honestly nothing as nice as some of this stuff!
I have always wondered why the city council allows stuff left out on the footpath like that but I guess it's because nothing stays there long enough to be a nuisance.
I need to just go to NY for a weekend and walk around looking for curbside stuff.
While I've never found anything as nice as most of what was posted here, over the years I've lived in this apartment I've saved dozens and dozens of items from in and around the dumpster. Often when people move out whatever doesn't fit in the UHaul goes in the garbage. I've kept / used quite a few things and donated the rest to thrift stores.
Question: How do you seriously sanitize furniture that has been left outside.??? Or even used furniture? I mean sofas and chairs?
Reupholstering them if they are really worth it. Or steam cleaning them
Load More Replies...I grew up in New York City (lots of years ago), and I know many of my friends who furnished their apartments from items they found on the sidewalk. People from the rich neighborhoods would redecorate and just put the old stuff outside. Treasures!
Rule #1 of curb-crawling: Never take home anything fabric that won't fit in the washing machine. You don't know what's living in it. Especially if it's in that good of visual condition, why are they throwing it out?
I love that round glass table/sculpture. It speaks to me. Now I won't be able to get it out of my mind.
I think living in New York would give me a ridiculous level of anxiety, but stooping and eating all the delicious foods options would definitely help
My daughter was in the middle of moving and had a coffee table and a couple of chairs out on the sidewalk in preparation to figure out what to do with them. When she came down there were a couple of guts sitting around having drinks, they happily took them off her hands, hahaha!
Til that NYC is home to some seriously fugly 1960's velour furniture, especially the sofas and chairs. Some of the wood pieces are nice but a lot are also cheap pressed stuff is also 1960's butt ugly. I'm glad to people putting them out there, one mans trash, etc and love the idea of recycling, must be a helluva boon if you need furniture! Love the plant trading.
When you are a kid just starting out with a new apartment you will gladly take free stuff. Some of what you call fugly is actually very much in style right now
Load More Replies...