Curbside Junking Finds

See what Trash to Treasure Curbside junking finds I salvaged for city wide cleanup days. All Ready for vintage junk makeovers and trash to treasure dIY upcycling ideas.

Spring is curbside junking season, when several suburbs in my area have city wide clean up days when residents can get rid of unwanted items. Most cities have backed down to every other year, because it is expensive to have many trucks go up and down every street and clear mounds of trash in one day. So far I treasure hunted for four days in my favorite neighborhoods. Here are my Curbside Junking Finds so far this Spring!

Curbside Junking Finds

For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission. There is no additional cost to you. “As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.” My full privacy policy is here. 

Day 1 Curbside Junking Finds

Mr. Fix-it joined me for my first day out junking. In a couple hours Sunday late afternoon-evening, we filled the trailer and the car with “potential”. It’s always nice when he’s along, because the loading is so much easier. But I’m constantly being asked, “What are you going to do with that?”, “Are you sure?”, “Be picky”. You’d think after 20+ years of me doing this, he would believe in my skills at turning trash into treasure;)

The next day I unpacked it all myself and staged it next to the garage. I’ve found it’s really fun to look back at these loot shoot pictures years later and see how I transformed everything. Yes, sometimes it takes years.

The spray painted black empire dresser was our first pick, which got me really excited. I may be keeping this one, once I refinish it and maybe repaint with black milk paint. Those deep drawers are awesome for storage!

This season I was focused on finding outdoor furniture for Happy Girl’s first home. She’s so excited to have her first yard and garden. I picked up 4 of these cool vintage metal chairs. I already have one of the same type. If I can find 1 more, she’ll have a set of 6. Will probably be giving them a fresh coat of spray paint and making seat cushions.

{see “Refreshing Patio Chairs: Stapled Cushion How To”}

I was happy to score some more vintage fencing in two different types, too. The crimped wire version we use to make fencing squares and cloches. {“Repurposed Vintage Fencing Squares”, and “Upcycled Old Garden Fencing Cloche How To”.} The square-ish white fencing works nicely along the edge of rustic shelves, like on our “DIY Upcycled Old Wagon Shelf“.

The two industrial metal chairs (red and yellow) have already been refreshed and popped into my new booth (will share that project next week). I brought home 3 wooden tables that all need help. Two of them are covered in contact paper:( Sometimes if they’re too far gone, they turn into valuable parts. Can you spot them? 1) Oak pedestal 2) Vintage 20’s chippy yellow with ribs on sides and legs 3) Pine drop leaf that only has 1 side. All solid wood with lots of potential!

Wood shutters are always useful, as are the tall metal cabinets for storage. The wood skis were a fun find; can’t wait to get them scrubbed and poly’d. Rusty screws and nails are always helpful for our stash of supplies. The rusty bedspring has green accents; don’t know where it will land yet…maybe the screen porch when it’s re-built with all those cool windows?

{“How to Add Nostalgic Charm to Your Home with Old Doors and Windows”}

Fun find of the day: This Pinterest-worthy Christmas wreath that someone patiently crafted out of tiny wrapped presents. I just love finding personal items like this that you know have a story:)

Day 2 of Trash to Treasure Finds

I debated taking the trailer the next day, because honestly I get tired of loading and unloading, and I was by myself. But I got a big latte and the sun was out…and reminded myself this doesn’t happen for another 2 years. Once again, the junk gods blessed me.

When you’re curbside junking, you see a lot of old wood piles, extra shutters, cheap modern furniture and completely worn out upholstered furniture. But this day, I came upon an absolutely beautifully clean vintage sofa in durable tapestry floral fabric. No stains, no wear, no animal hair, no smells. And the house that it was in front of was meticulously clean…which is a good sign. I sent a video of it to Happy Girl and asked her if she wanted it. After thinking a bit, she said yes, which was good timing, because I still had room in the trailer for it (kind of all about timing).

We moved it right into her sun porch, and it’s the perfect napping length. Such cute details and totally grandmillenial style! (find out about the trending grandmillenial style HERE)

Here are the rest of my finds that day. Quite a few hand crafted old handyman items, which are my favorite to clean up and decorate with. An old wagon that we can make into a shelf for my booth (so cute for the Patriotic 250th).

Also scored a wooden bench and two black painted wooden arm chairs for Happy Girl’s yard. Plus a black metal tile topped table.

One pile had a whole family’s heritage of family pics in brass frames:( It makes me sad, but I already sold quite a few of them in my booth (without the pic’s). I got someone’s whole collection of vintage laundry washboards; so fun! Several planter pots for Happy Girl that can be spray painted for a fresh look.

This beautiful antique oak desk was just being brought out by it’s elderly owner. He said it was his mothers or grandmothers and the kids didn’t want it. He helped me lift it into my car; he knew I’d give it love. The oak pillar is beautiful; have no idea how I’ll use it. And the trophy collection…golf and bowling. They were laying on the ground in a plastic bag. Kind of made me wonder…what life trophies are we striving for? Because most of it ends up in a trash heap. Great reminder to focus on what’s eternal. (yep-digging through people’s trash makes you think deep)

Fun Find of the Day: A hand crafted double decker outhouse. Perfect white elephant gift, don’t you think? Reminded me of our family cabin’s outhouse. And a homemade duck art piece made by Cathy in 5th grade:) So sweet.

Day 3 & 4 Junk Finds

We had some cold rainy days that I didn’t go out. This neighborhood’s clean up days are for 2 weeks straight, depending on their trash days. Only a die hard with lots of storage space could do every day. And when it’s cold, rainy or snowy, it’s not fun.

Day 3 I skipped the trailer and only had my car. Which I regretted after about 1/2 an hour:( It’s SO MUCH easier to throw things in a trailer than try to cram it all in a vehicle. Live and learn. With a few reshuffling stops, I got it all in; thankfully.

First pick was this cute wicker cart for Happy Girl. Then I spotted these vintage metal chairs that are the exact match to two I already use on my porch! I was excited, but they were a bugger to fit in.

{“Decorating the Summer Porch with Refreshed Vintage Finds”}

The 3 vintage folding chairs were a fun find. And I always pick up old mismatched croquet sets so I can make “DIY Upcycled Croquet Art”.

The big paneled wooden cabinet doors must have come out of an old kitchen. I could barely get them in, but was determined, using the last couple of inches at the top of the pile…on top of the wooden screen door;) Yep, this was one of those “I hope I don’t roll-kind of loads.”

The wicker table had such pretty details, but I didn’t like the contact paper top. The next day I only picked up a couple things…but found 2 glass table tops.

The chair on the left is an exact match to my grandpa’s porch chair that I have and fondly remember him sitting in (in their breezeway between the house and garage). It’s made by Heywood Wakefield, a classic American furniture maker. I’m hoping to refresh this one so I can use them together. The adirondack needs a power wash and a little strengthening in the arms. The quilt is pottery barn, and is a good cutter.

Now you can see why I can’t stop curbside junking…I find so many fun things! There are a couple more areas that are doing it in the coming weeks; we’ll see how the weather is, and if I can motivate myself to bring more home. It is overwhelming! But if I can get Happy Girl’s pieces cleaned up and refreshed and out of here…maybe? Course I need to rake gardens, wash windows, clean the porch…so much to do in the Spring!

Thanks for reading Curbside Junking Finds. If you enjoyed your visit, be sure to Become an Insider so I can send the ideas right to you! You can Sign Up HERE.

Follow Me: LTK | Amazon | Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook

Thrifting with the Gals

My Thrifting with the Gals friends are joining me today. See how Ann, Rachel and Robyn are decorating with their thrifted finds from Vermont and Maine, North Carolina, and Florida!

Robyn, Robyn’s French Nest, “10 Tips and Beautiful Things to Thrift For: Party and Special Event Decor”

Ann, Dabbling and Decorating, “Thrifted Bougie Decor: What to Look For in Thrift Stores (Inspired by Lara Spencer)”

Rachel, The Ponds Farmhouse, “How to Style Vintage Swans and Whimsical Vases-Granny Chic Thrifting”

pin and save