4 Places that Accept Used Furniture in Chicago
4 Places that Accept Used Furniture in Chicago
As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the nation and leaves offices empty, businesses are restructuring their work from home policies. Some staff may return to work, while others will permanently work from home. What can offices do with idle furniture? Donate used furniture to local organizations.
Company managers may be reassessing their need for office furniture during the coronavirus health crisis. Fewer team members work onsite, making some office goods no longer necessary. Or the staggered shifts will prompt managers to rethink the office floor plans.
What to do with Surplus Furniture
Surplus office furniture may be donated to help non-profits in need. Even large quantities of high-value items may be donated to organizations that sell them and use the profits to offset project costs. Reputable organizations keep used office furniture out of landfills.
Environmental pressures are relieved when office furniture is reused and kept out of landfills. Why throw away office furniture when a small business or family can utilize the goods? Upcycling used office furniture also gives the donation recipients an opportunity to turn them into something new.
Office furniture that is no longer needed as companies restructure their office floor plans in the coronavirus era may be sent to area schools, foundations, charities and social programs. Waste solutions are important to companies that want to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility.
Companies that donate used office furniture may also claim tax deductions when they donate to a qualified charitable organization or non-profit. Donations with a value of over $5000 require the services of an appraiser to provide the proper paperwork needed to claim a tax deduction.
Five steps to complete office furniture donations:
- Plan the donation process several weeks ahead of the scheduled pickup date, as agencies are extremely busy.
- Look for local charitable organizations, like the ones that follow.
- Appraise the furniture.
- Schedule the pickup.
- Get a receipt.
Many charitable organizations in Chicago offer free pickup services of the used office furniture. These organizations manage the labor and logistics surrounding the donation. Companies that donate their surplus office goods can rest easy knowing their excess furniture will be in good hands.
1. Chicago Furniture Bank
As the office sits nearly vacant amidst the coronavirus crisis, the break room will remain 100 percent unused. Work life may not return to the status quo once the pandemic ends. Now is a good time to donate the kitchen table and chairs from the lunch and break rooms.
Chicago Furniture Bank accepts kitchen furniture, as well as coffee tables, lamps, mirrors, desks, end tables, couches and chairs. The area non-profit donates its collection of used furniture to families in need. In a span of two years, the organization has kept 750 tons of furniture out of local landfills.
2. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore Chicago
Habitat for Humanity will take a wide range of used office furniture, as well as cabinets, windows, doors, carpeting, knobs and hinges, countertops and functional appliances. The proceeds from the sales of donated goods go back into the non-profit to help Chicagoans find affordable housing.
All furniture donated to Habitat for Humanity must be in excellent condition. Upholstered furniture should not be ripped, stained or otherwise damaged. In order to schedule a pickup, donating companies are required to submit a photo of the office furniture.
Habitat for Humanity has the right to refuse any donation. The non-profit will not accept donations of furniture items that are known to have a low turnover rate. The organization will also not take donations of goods that are in need of repair.
3. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, a well-known local charity, will take any type of used office furniture, even the television in the office breakroom. Chicagoans in need benefit from the Salvation Army’s charitable services. Donated items also help fund the Salvation Army’s rehabilitation programs.
The Salvation Army does not provide a valuation of donated items. Companies that donate are responsible for determining the approximate value of tax-deductible donations. The non-profit offers a Donation Value Guide to help companies determine the estimated value of some items.
For valuation purposes, for instance, the office desk and upholstered chair have a low value of $26 and a high value of between $104 and $145 each. The office waiting room sofa may be donated and carries a low value of $36 and a high value of $207.
4. Cancer Federation Chicago
The Cancer Federation Chicago accepts furniture of all types. Similar to Habitat for Humanity, the Cancer Federation Chicago will not accept furniture that is in need of repair. The non-profit will also not accept metal desks and used furniture made of particle board or pressed wood.
Private companies and stores benefit from the sale of items by the Federation. The funds from the sales support cancer research as well as education programs for cancer patients and their families. Pickups of donatable furniture may be conveniently scheduled on the organization’s website.
Get Help from a Commercial Mover
While local charitable organizations will pick up used office furniture, company managers may need professional help when they have to move office goods in preparation for a renovation. Chicago Office Movers is available to help you move furniture when you have a planned remodeling project.
Chicago Office Movers’ teams of experienced office movers will remove and install furniture, fixtures and large equipment. When you need to move items into storage, our skilled professionals will safely relocate the goods. We also provide a detailed inventory list of items relocated to our secure storage facilities.
Diverse local businesses utilize the invaluable moving services provided by Chicago Office Movers. Our satisfied customers include area businesses in the hospitality industry, government agencies, educational institutions and commercial businesses, among many others. We work with you to understand your business’ unique needs.
Consult Chicago Office Movers when you are planning a relocation within the Windy City, when you have goods to be moved into storage or when a renovation is on the horizon. As a reputable commercial mover, we proudly serve businesses in Chicago, Illinois.
Get a Free Estimate
Give us a call at 312-244-2246 or fill out a contact form to receive a free estimate regarding your next move or furniture donation.
