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)
There's a Lithuanian proverb, saying that we like it when our neighbor's house is burning. We're not very neighborly. So when I first heard about stooping -- people putting stuff they no longer need on the curb to be taken home by someone who wants it -- the whole thing sounded like a utopia to me. But it's not. And there's an Instagram account to prove it.
It's called Stooping NYC. Created by a Brooklyn couple who prefer to remain anonymous, the account unites a wholesome community, constantly informing one another about the treasures around the city and showing off their best finds. We at Bored Panda already covered this online movement here and here but they've been keeping themselves really busy so we have to do an update! Enjoy.
More info: Instagram
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I Think I Speak For All Of Us When I Say... You Win Stooping!
Want More Proof Of How Amazing The Stooping NYC Community Is? Check Out This Stooping Success From Davidjamz
In one of our earlier publications on Stooping NYC, its founders said the amount of submissions they get is massive; on a typical weekday, their inbox receives hundreds if not a thousand submissions. On the weekend, especially at the end of the month, there are thousands of DMs.
That's a lot to choose from. "Knowing what stoopers need and what makes them excited, we try to prioritize items we receive that fit into those categories!" the people behind the account told Bored Panda. "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)."
Hundreds Of Free New Books!!!! 52nd St Between 6th And 5th Ave
What a wonderful surprise I’m sure!! I’d have been digging there for hours!
Omg Omg Omg!!! Run!! On Vernon And Nostrand In Bed Stuy
At the start of the pandemic when there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding health and safety protocols, they 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 for good.
Whatever the challenges, it looks like Stooping NYC is here to persevere. "[This project] has been so successful in large part because it's exclusively on social media (Instagram specifically)!" the showrunners said.
"Hosting it on social media means that more people have access [to everything it has to offer] and not just New Yorkers; it also gives access to a piece of New York City culture to people who follow from far and wide. It also has enabled us to 'gameify' stooping, with stoopers sharing stories of things they spot, stoop, take home (#stoopjourney) and ultimately give new life to (#stoopingsuccess). It would really be challenging to tell stories around the pieces like we do on any other platform."
I’m Just Going To Say It... Colbysadeghi Is My Hero. He Got This Beauty Home To Make The Best Stooping Success Of The Morning!
Gorgeous Stained Glass On Eastern Parkway Between Rogers And Nostrand
Thanks so much for this picture... this is exactly what my new living room is missing, it just never occured to me.
As you can see from the pictures, it's virtually impossible to predict what's going to pop up on a curb somewhere in the city. And that's the beauty of the game.
"Stoopers are excited about a lot of things, running the spectrum from the New York apartment staples (bookshelves, kitchen islands) to valuable treasures (beanie baby collections, copper tubs, pianos) to the weird and quirky (the Ear Mirror, stiletto chairs), and, of course, every kind of plant. Ever."
The couple running the account added that they "feel so fortunate to have so much positivity in our lives that comes from this wonderful stooping community," and I'm pretty sure their followers would say the same.
So Funky! We Love It! 89th & Madison
Tell Us This Doesn’t Look Like It Should Be In An Issue Of Dwell Magazine Or Something???
Pretty Sure This Is The One You’ve Been Waiting For! Yes You! Minnetta And Macdougal
Awesome! I would take it. Though I have a feeling my cat would think it's a giant scratching post :/
Anddddd... Run. 28th St Btwn 7th & 6th Ave
I Don’t Want To Be Dramatic, But Brb While I Die At How Amazing Proseccomami_ Did With This Stooping Success
...time To Get A Bigger Closet!
I Mean... Are You F’ing Kidding Me? 147 W79th Street
So So So Good!!!
Beautiful Large Fiddle Leaf Fig That Needs Some Tlc! 2nd Ave Between Third And Fourth Street Outside The Nail Salon
What Else Is There To Say About This Amazing Massage Chair Other Than... Holy S**t!!! Woodbine & Bushwick!
i can't explain it, but it looks like the chair version of a cockroach or something
Tgif Stoopers! On E 10th Between 1st And 2nd
Well This Has The Makings Of A Great Tuesday! Wow. Prospect Place Between Brooklyn And New York Ave
Starting Off Our Friday Right! 94th Between Broadway And Amsterdam
Run Don’t Walk To This Gem!!! 68th St Corner And 3rd
What Percentage Of New Yorkers Own Velvet Couches?! Another Blue Velvet Beauty! 116th And Morningside
Mooove Out The Way! (See What I Did There?). Go Fast! Frost Street Between Meeker And Lorimer
Start The Car!!! Plant Babies! In Front Of 726 Park Pl (Between Bedford And Rogers)
Oh man 😩, I’ve been wanting new plants like these for about a year now, I’m a sucker for plants, especially the one one in the pink
Good News And Bad News. Good News - Urechi_ Just Sent Us This Amazing Couch She Found In Harlem. Bad News (But Also Good News) - Urechi_ Decided To Take It For Herself!
Omg!!! Run Don’t Walk! 426 Lexington Ave In Brooklyn
Last One For The Night... Congrats On Your Amazing New Wfh Situation Tropidarks Stooping Success
Wanted one just like this when I was 7, but could not afford it, shame.
Okay Guys, Get Ready For Story Time!!! “After 1.5 Miles Of Walking, Several Breaks, And Many Words Of Support From The Central Park Joggers, We Finally Brought Our New Couch From The West To The East Side. Thank You Stooping!”. No Nick Lahger, Thank You!
Good for you! That is a beauty and a great story to share of the adventure.
Globe Bar Plus A Great Desk And Chair! Madison And Marcy!
Amazing! Also Probably Amazingly Heavy. 1870 Menahan
Holy Amazing. E15th St And 2nd Ave
Just Think Of Alllll The Pretty Things You Could Display In This! Outside Carroll Street & 8th In Park Slope!
This Is The Realest Looking Stoop Giraffe Ever! Not Sure About Its Competition Though. Jefferson Bt Malcolm X And Stuyvesant
I am a giraffe fanatic. I have two of the tall giraffes and about 300 other giraffes in my bedroom. They are such graceful animals.
Well This Is A Stoop Journey! The Most Famous Stoop Chair Has Made Its Way Onto Subway!
i just realized after staring at it for 5 minutes that it was a chair shaped like a high heel.
Please Take A Moment To Acknowledge This Insanely Beautiful Stooping Success From A_modern_classic !! “Living In Some Deep Stoop Gratitude With This Mirror From The Other Day, And Having Finally Repainted My Stooped Dresser And Desk!”
Your Living Has Been Missing A Hippo Stool... Just A Fyi. On W 93rd Between Columbus And Amsterdam
This. Is. Awesome. 441 E 12th
Incredible Secretary Desk In Front Of 261 Devoe On Olive And Devoe. Key Included
Java Street On Fire! Third Post From The Street Today! 98 Java!
Perfection! 41 Spring St
Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Out Without Seeing Another Ear Mirror...
Sunday Blues. Meserole St And Leonard Street. Can Of Paint Inside The Drawer For Touch UPS!
A Post-Long Weekend Haul Looks Amazing! Items Are Outside 108 West 78th Street
Well This Is Cute. On Park Place Between Franklin And Classon
This is something that is used in SE Asia, another large like plate(same shape) goes on top and you put food on there, eating on the floor is common, who would throw this out though
Big Bird Is Clearly Moving Out! 315 Monroe St In Bedstuy
Holy S**t Balls. Hurrrrrry. At W 17th And 7th!
Wow. You Stoopers Are The Most Talented! Look At This Glow-Up Courtesy Of Bbtoni ! Congrats On Your Stooping Success
Goodness!!! On Harman Between Cypress And Saint Nicholas!
Jaw Drop Lewis & Vernon!
Just Wow!! On Provost (In Greenpoint) Btwn Eagle And Freeman
Oh. So. Good!!!! Vanity With Built In Mirror On 139th St & Alexander Ave In The South Bronx
No Scheme About This Pyramid! (Bad Joke? Dad Joke?) 14th And Ave B East Village
All these pieces--so unique--it's like they all belong in some exclusive furniture mall with huge price tags.
The Chairs! The Chairs!!! Clean Dishes And Chairs In Great Condition. President Between New York And Nostrand
Reason #63873733 Why We Love All Of You. A Stooping Success Of A Piggy Bank Just Made Iamsteffreed , And Our, Day!
Sometimes We’re Hesitant About Posting Rugs But We Got A Great Review Of It From The Stooper, It Got Picked Up And Goodness Does It Look Amazing
It’s Back!!! They Couldn’t Get It Through The Doorway! W 45th Between 9&10
Is this from Beauty and the Beast? It looks like it's going to start walking around any minute.
You Guys...it Comes With Its Own Transportation And Everything!! 72nd Between Broadway And West End
Sad to say, real pianos are hard to get rid of these days. Altho they're wonderful, they're big and heavy, need constant tuning, and everyone seems to want something light and electronic.
Okay Guys. I Can’t Tell This Story As Well As The Stooper But This Set Is New In A Box On The Stoop. But It Is Missing The Washers And Screws Because The Box Shipped With A Hole. Or Something Like This!kingsland Ave In Brooklyn Between Driggs And Nassau
A Chair To Match The Weather! Tompkins And Hancock
These babies can run you anywhere from $750 to $2000 but I've recently seem one in the exact same color for $2999. All this needs is a good clean and perhaps a leather wax.
What A Glow Up For This Pink Beauty. Congrats On Your Stooping Success Emmfinch
Swoooooooon Mirandaspandas Wins The Weekend With This Stooping Success
We Love This So Much. By 947 Metropolitan Ave East Williamsburg
And There Is A Stooping First! On Willoughby Between Knickerbocker And Wilson In Bushwick!
Not For Everyone... Definitely For Someone. By Starbucks On Columbus Ave And W100th In Manhattan!
Who Knew?!
Beautiful Green Velvet Chair. Legs May Need Some Help!
Entryway Goals! 84th & York Ave
Cuuuuute. Now Make Sure You Get It Tuned Up And Get It Road Ready! On Decatur Street Between Lewis And Stuyvesant.
Cue The Collective Sigh About This Unbelievable Stooping Success!!
A Console Table To Die For! Clinton Ave Between Myrtle And Park
The Stoops Look Good Tonight! IKEA Hovet Mirror 15th And Sixth
I Mean... Double Check First That This Is Actually Free!address Update! 19th Street Off Of Joyce Theater In Chelsea
Midwood! E21 And Quentin Rd. Doggy Not Included!
Holy S**t Balls!!!! Outside 744 Willoughby In Bed Stuy!
But What Is It??? On Union And Bayard By Mccarren Park
It’s Green, It’s Velvet, It’s Shaped Like A Sea Shell. This Is For You! 109 S Portland Avenue
Annnd Another One. President Street B/W 3rd And Nevins
Tiny Stairway To Nowhere. Must Have. Schemerhorn Bw Boerum & Court
I’m Not Sure Which Is Cuter. On The Corner Of Meserole St And Manhattan Ave
Pitbull Isn’t The Only “Mr. Worldwide”. Weekly Ear Mirror Content Courtesy Of The.jennifer
Is this always the same mirror just being handed over and over are they THIS common?
A Perfect Stooping Success For A Thursday!
In Case You Missed Yesterday’s Incredible Stooping Success From Peshio.pistachio, Here It Is From The Finale To The Journey To Our Original Post!
How Insanely Beautiful Is This Stooping Success From Thshrthng
I lovehate that. I'd love it if it was wood, but like this it looks like plastic.
This Is A Saturday Banger! Bleeker Street Between Macdougal And 6th Ave
Are These Rolls Of Fabric Worth Dumpster Diving? Bolts Of Fabric On West 13th And 5th (The New School)
O.h someone please use them for something. Many fabric hounds have now formed world-wide upcycle groups to prevent so much fabric from going to landfill. ugly is the new wonderful
Gorgeous Mirror! Corner Of Putnam Ave And Franklin Ave In Bedstuy
A Ton Of Art Options At In Front Of The 60 Broadway Building Which Is Actually On White Street!
Do You See What I See?
Legitimately Hyperventilating!!! 157th Between Broadway And Amsterdam
What Is This? And The Stooper Suggested It May Be A Giant Mushroom Considering It’s Outside Urban “Truffle”. 60th And West End
May The Force Me With You, Stoopers! Star Wars Prints 563 1st Street In Park Slope
Why Am I So Excited About This Chair You Ask? Because I Took The Picture! 17th Street Between Ppw And 10th!
Sun Comes Out And So Do The Stoops! These Are Fantastic. Right Outside 1705 Dean Street
If You Sit In This Throne Does This Make You The Queen / King Of The Patio? On Troutman And Irving
Anyone Interested In Forming A Band? Java Street And Manhattan In Greenpoint
Gtfoh!!! (Did We Do That Right?). 92 2nd Ave
Large Frame/Art! Near 374 12th St Btw 6th And 7th
This Is Not A Miami Stoop! 222 Varet St.
Details Details! On Madison (Left Side) Between 96/95
We May Or May Not Be At Sesame Place Today. With No Kids Of Course (That Was A Joke). So Bear (Bare?) With Us. Outside 117 Bleecker In Manhattan
A Little Nice Weather And It All Comes Out! E 10th And Between 1st And 2nd
Goodness And Gorgeous! E 3rd & Ave B
Oh Winner Winner Stooping After Dinner! Outside 205 W 88th Bw Broadway And Amsterdam
Not Only Are These Real, But As Picture 2 States, They Are Also Hard To Kill...so... 3rd Ave Between 11 And 12, Brooklyn
So Clear You Might Miss It! East 5th Street Between Avenue A & B
Ummm Hang Chairs With A Beautiful Manicure!! Are They Still There? Debatable. But If They Are, Someone Needs To Save Them From The Rain!
How often would the nails need re doing. Maybe some glitter glaze at Christmas
It’s Everyone’s Favorite Bar Globe!!! And A Good Color Too (Mars Inspired?). 54th Between 1st And 2nd
The Wonderful Rachmartino Says Goodbye To Her Dresser! N 11th & Berry
Would You Go For The (A) Dresser, The (B) Poof Chair Or The (C) Mirror? Or (D) The Ol’ None Of The Above. Chambers And Church St.
Omg!!! Make Sure This Is Really Stooped First!
This Might Be The Strangest Rug Of All Time. Is It Pills With A Cat? What??? Metropolitan And Graham (Not Grand!)!
Guys!!! Let’s Get This Milk To A Great Place! The Cross Street Is Parkside And Rogers Ave
Omg…three Ear Mirrors In One! On Crooke And Parade
I've never seen or heard of an ear mirror and now on Bored Panda I've seen at least six. lol
Omg! Caption Contest! Go. 95th Btwn Amsterdam And Columbus!
I Want To Stoop The Wall! 1031 Flushing On The Corner Of Flushing And Morgan
“Would I Rather Be Feared Or Loved? Easy. Both. I Want People To Be Afraid Of How Much They Love Me.” Michael Scott Sequined Pillow. At 50th Ave And Jackson Ave By The Train Station Entrance In Front Of Chase Bank Lic Queens
Omg How Dare Someone Leave Officialfrandrescher Out There Like That! Lorimer And Montrose Ave
“A Box Of Emo Cds And Old Cameras” Outside Of 268 St Nick
Guys! Make Sure You Scroll Through For The Details. I Loved This Piece When We Posted It And Can Confidently Say It Looks Even Better In Its New Home!
Okay. Two People Have Now Sent Us This Jet Ski. For The Record, There Is No Chance It’s Free, But Since They Did Park At Hydrant, We Say Go For It! We’re Kidding!
We Know A Pink Ear Mirror That Would Look Fabulous Over This Pink Couch. Outside Of 264 Henry St!
Happy 4th, America! We Got You An Ear Mirror! Bedford And 7th St
Stoop Artist Jakeposer Just Dropped These Two Gems On 74th Between Riverside And West End
Put A Ring On This Life Size Beyoncé, Quincy And Nostrand In Bedstuy Beyonce
Ooooh! On Hester Street Between Mulberry And Mott
Amazed that so many people are willing to risk picking up upholstered furniture that's been sitting outside. Mold, mildew, urine, and bedbugs are all potentially carried within those things. I might put something like that on the bed of a pickup truck and then completely strip it down & reupholster it in the garage, but you'll never see me bringing one right into my home. :-/
Did it in college when I ended up moving into an apartment. I could not find the money for furniture that was not already in my dorm. All was well as most of it was from other dorm kids moving out. You can see clear signs of bedbugs if there is a infestation. I think people would look closely.
Load More Replies...This is the thing that I miss the most about living in Toronto. I currently live in Guatemala City, where people just don´t throw away good things. My uncle used to live in chicago and he decorated his appartment with things he found on the street. He won an award for decoration. In toronto I also decorated my appartment with things I found on the street and even the cops ( they once had to come in to get a statement from a roomate) where so impressed they actually started taking selfies inside the apartament.
One of the best places to find stuff used to be Rosedale - my neighbours did as you did, decorated their amazing place with castoffs.
Load More Replies...This amazes me. In most places people would at least try to sell this stuff on Craig's list, or similar. How can New Yorkers afford to just give these things away?
Also in NYC, you don't have room to save it for sale. If you need it gone, has to go outside
Load More Replies...Having dealt with bedbugs TWICE in my son's room, I'm not sure I'd be able to bring myself to pick up a piece of furniture off the street, especially not a headboard. I guess it's *fairly* easy to check for them before you take it but, dang, if there are even a few lurking in there...
I guess people leave a lot of amazing things behind when they live in a city where a lot of people don't have cars or easy access to a truck. In Los Angeles, everyone has a car, and it's cheap enough to hire a couple of guys to move something for you. So if they don't take it with them, they sell it. Most of what gets left at the curb is old, broken particle board junk.
My dining room table had been left out to be taken by the bin men, trash, rubbish removal. It had only been put out that morning, I went straight home fetched himself, and we carried it away. Beautiful little table, 30s mass produced.
In my area we put things out in the hope they will be usefull to others, but only small things, ornaments etc. I have loads of books I need to put out but I am worried the whole lot would be snaffled and sold online, leaving nothing for the locals.
I always imagined people get their stuff out of their houses, remember they didn't got their wallets or something and return inside. 10 minutes later someone else is posting "look what I found"
I don't understand why these people didn't try to sell their stuff. I'm sure many of them would have found a buyer.
Some people don't want strangers coming into their home to look at items for sale. Single aged women who live alone for example.
Load More Replies...Looks like there was a phase of people buying velvet sofas and baroque mirrors that died suddenly
Some of this stuff is amazing, shows people can be genrousxinstead of always wanting a profit from everything
What a weird wonderful/horrible place to live. I’m briefly jealous, but not.
I can't believe how many people just happen to be in need of a sofa at the very time they see a sofa on the street! What were they sitting on before?!
Amazed that so many people are willing to risk picking up upholstered furniture that's been sitting outside. Mold, mildew, urine, and bedbugs are all potentially carried within those things. I might put something like that on the bed of a pickup truck and then completely strip it down & reupholster it in the garage, but you'll never see me bringing one right into my home. :-/
Did it in college when I ended up moving into an apartment. I could not find the money for furniture that was not already in my dorm. All was well as most of it was from other dorm kids moving out. You can see clear signs of bedbugs if there is a infestation. I think people would look closely.
Load More Replies...This is the thing that I miss the most about living in Toronto. I currently live in Guatemala City, where people just don´t throw away good things. My uncle used to live in chicago and he decorated his appartment with things he found on the street. He won an award for decoration. In toronto I also decorated my appartment with things I found on the street and even the cops ( they once had to come in to get a statement from a roomate) where so impressed they actually started taking selfies inside the apartament.
One of the best places to find stuff used to be Rosedale - my neighbours did as you did, decorated their amazing place with castoffs.
Load More Replies...This amazes me. In most places people would at least try to sell this stuff on Craig's list, or similar. How can New Yorkers afford to just give these things away?
Also in NYC, you don't have room to save it for sale. If you need it gone, has to go outside
Load More Replies...Having dealt with bedbugs TWICE in my son's room, I'm not sure I'd be able to bring myself to pick up a piece of furniture off the street, especially not a headboard. I guess it's *fairly* easy to check for them before you take it but, dang, if there are even a few lurking in there...
I guess people leave a lot of amazing things behind when they live in a city where a lot of people don't have cars or easy access to a truck. In Los Angeles, everyone has a car, and it's cheap enough to hire a couple of guys to move something for you. So if they don't take it with them, they sell it. Most of what gets left at the curb is old, broken particle board junk.
My dining room table had been left out to be taken by the bin men, trash, rubbish removal. It had only been put out that morning, I went straight home fetched himself, and we carried it away. Beautiful little table, 30s mass produced.
In my area we put things out in the hope they will be usefull to others, but only small things, ornaments etc. I have loads of books I need to put out but I am worried the whole lot would be snaffled and sold online, leaving nothing for the locals.
I always imagined people get their stuff out of their houses, remember they didn't got their wallets or something and return inside. 10 minutes later someone else is posting "look what I found"
I don't understand why these people didn't try to sell their stuff. I'm sure many of them would have found a buyer.
Some people don't want strangers coming into their home to look at items for sale. Single aged women who live alone for example.
Load More Replies...Looks like there was a phase of people buying velvet sofas and baroque mirrors that died suddenly
Some of this stuff is amazing, shows people can be genrousxinstead of always wanting a profit from everything
What a weird wonderful/horrible place to live. I’m briefly jealous, but not.
I can't believe how many people just happen to be in need of a sofa at the very time they see a sofa on the street! What were they sitting on before?!