Deciding what to keep and what to throw away can be a difficult task when decluttering your home. While some items are obvious trash, others may still have value or use that is not immediately apparent. Professional home organizers and contractors say there are certain household items that homeowners frequently get rid of, only to later regret discarding. Here are seven common products that pros recommend you should think twice about before tossing in the bin.
Old Furniture
That dated dresser or trunk collecting dust in your attic may not match your current decor, but it could still have value. Vintage and antique furniture is often sought after by collectors, even if it has some imperfections. Pieces made of high-quality wood and those with unique carvings or hardware are particularly desirable.
Before discarding an older furniture piece, have it appraised by an antique dealer. You may be surprised to learn it’s a valuable mid-century or antique find. If the item is in poor condition, it may still be worth restoring or upcycling into something new. Distressed paint techniques can give new life to worn finishes.
With some TLC, that old furniture cluttering up your garage could net you a pretty penny or become a new focal point in your living space. Don’t be too quick to send it to the landfill.
Extra Tiles and Flooring
After completing a kitchen or bathroom remodel, your urge may be to purge any remaining tiles, hardwood planks, or laminate flooring. But designers say holding onto leftover materials is wise in case future repairs are needed.
Wood flooring and tile can be costly to purchase, so having extra on hand for spot fixes or replacements makes sense. Store extra flooring in a dry area, carefully labeled and organized. Hang onto any spare grout or adhesive as well.
You likely paid good money for those materials initially. Save yourself the cost of buying new tiles, hardwood, or laminate by keeping any overage from the original purchase.
Older Appliances
Once you renovate your kitchen or laundry room with shiny new appliances, getting rid of the old ones may seem like a no-brainer. But if they are still operational, pros recommend donating or selling major kitchen and laundry appliances rather than sending them to the dump.
Many charitable organizations will happily take donations of working washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers to resell or use in their facilities. You can also post older appliances for sale on websites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. There is demand for reasonably priced options to outfit rental units, vacation homes, home offices and more.
Even if an appliance is showing some wear, if it still functions properly, someone else can likely get more use out of it. Avoid trashing appliances that have life left in them.
Leftover Paint
Once your home painting project is finished, you may have some partially used paint cans taking up space. Though the urge is strong to just get rid of it, pros say leftover paint should be properly stored instead of tossed out.
Oil-based paints in particular have a long shelf life, lasting up to 15 years or more if sealed and stored properly. Latex paints can generally last 2-5 years retained in airtight containers. Stored paint comes in handy for paint touch-ups down the road.
Rather than contribute to hazardous waste, use paint up or donate usable leftovers to community programs like PaintCare or Habitat for Humanity. Just be sure to clearly label each can with color and finish information.
Old Windows and Doors
Over years of wear and tear, interior and exterior doors and windows can become damaged or outdated in style. Replacing them may seem like a necessary home upgrade. But pros caution against hastily tossing your old windows and doors.
Many retrofitting solutions exist to upgrade efficiency and aesthetics without full replacement. From weatherstripping to refinishing, you may invest less by revitalizing what you already have. Vintage windows and doors are also sought after by preservationists and DIYers for restoration.
Consider advertising your old doors and windows for sale or donation before sending them to a demolition site. You never know who might be looking for period-perfect architectural salvage.
Hardware and Household Supplies
It’s easy to accumulate a junk drawer full of random hardware like nuts, bolts, screws, nails, and hooks over time. But if discarded hastily, these can add up to big costs when new supplies must be purchased later for projects.
Pros recommend keeping any reusable hardware, fasteners, tools, and other household items organized in labeled containers. The same applies to partially used cans of adhesives, solvents, lubricants, and other supplies. Proper storage saves money and minimizes waste.
Don’t throw away hardware that could come in handy. You never know when you might need that random assortment of fasteners and parts for home repairs and installations down the road.
Old Technology
With the speed at which technology advances, it’s tempting to quickly get rid of gadgets and electronics once they become outdated. However, pros caution against too quickly sending old tech items to the dump.
Vintage electronics like turntables and radios often have value to collectors, especially if unique or highly functional in design. Outdated tech can sometimes be recycled or repurposed in creative ways as well.
Consider donating your old gadgets and devices so they can find new life with someone else. You may spark joy by passing along functional tech that still has worthwhile utility and purpose. Just be sure to wipe data and remove any personal information first.
Final Takeaways
When deciding what to keep and what to purge from your home, take time to carefully evaluate each item. Research options for restoring, repurposing, or reselling before throwing household goods away.
Consult antique dealers, used furniture and building material stores, contractors and preservationists to assess an item’s value before discarding it. You may uncover hidden worth in something you were about to junk.
Properly store leftover supplies and materials for future use. Organize reusable hardware so it can be easily accessed later when needed.
Consider donating old but functional appliances and technology so someone else can benefit. Be sure to wipe any devices to erase personal data before passing them along.
With some creativity and extra storage space, those old household items headed for the dumpster may take on new life and purpose around your home or someone else’s. Don’t be too hasty to trash something that still has good use left in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some things I should avoid throwing away from my home?
Some items pros recommend avoiding throwing out are old furniture, leftover flooring and tiles, usable appliances, leftover paint, doors and windows, reusable hardware and household supplies, and functional electronics/technology. Each may have restoration potential, value to collectors, or future utility.
How can I determine if an old furniture piece is valuable?
Have antique dealers or auction houses appraise old furniture to see if it has monetary value as a vintage, antique or collectible piece. High-quality woods like mahogany or craftsman details indicate potential worth. Damaged but unique items can also sometimes be refinished or repurposed.
What is the best way to store leftover paint and supplies?
Leftover paint should be transferred to smaller, airtight metal cans, sealed tightly and labeled with paint details like color and finish. Store paint and supplies in a temperature-controlled area. Hardware and fasteners can be organized in labeled bins according to type and size.
Why donate old appliances instead of throwing them away?
Old appliances that still function properly are in demand by charities, rental property owners, vacation home buyers and others. Donating provides reuse opportunities and minimizes hazardous waste. Be sure to carefully wipe any personal data from appliances beforehand.
How long can leftover flooring be stored for future repairs?
Proper storage methods can prolong the lifespan of extra flooring. Keep flooring flat and evenly stacked, not rolled or bent. Store in a dry area not susceptible to humidity or temperature swings. With ideal conditions, leftover tile and hardwood may last many years.
What are some ways to upgrade old windows and doors cost-effectively?
Instead of full replacements, consider restoring old windows and doors through weatherproofing, refinishing or reinforcing. Install storm windows over existing windows to boost efficiency. Swap out door hardware and repaint to refresh. Salvage vintage architecture rather than replacing outright.
Can old electronics be recycled or reused?
Many retro and vintage electronics are valued by collectors. Some old gadgets can also be creatively repurposed, like old radios made into Bluetooth speakers. Otherwise, donate old devices so proper e-recycling gives new life to raw materials. Safely wipe data before donation.
Conclusion
Decluttering your home often means deciding whether to trash, donate or keep household items. When considering what to throw away, take time to reassess any furnishings, hardware, supplies, appliances or electronics you were planning to discard. With some creativity and clever storage solutions, many items destined for the dump may turn out to have hidden value after all. Check with pros to uncover potential in your old home goods before tossing them out forever.