• Home Home

Homeowner stuns with before-and-after photos of furniture left on side of the road: 'What a find'

Finds like this illustrate why people regularly scan curbsides for usable household items.

A photo of an Ethan Allen nightstand has been gaining attention, surprising viewers who assumed the original poster must have lived in a wealthy area.

Photo Credit: iStock

A photo of a high-quality wooden nightstand has been gaining attention, surprising viewers who assumed the original poster must have lived in a wealthy area. Instead, the user revealed that it was picked up for free after being left on the side of the road — a find that they said "cleaned up really nice!"

According to the Redditor, the nightstand had been discarded despite remaining in good condition. After cleaning it up, the result closely resembled a high-end piece, drawing attention from others who frequent the forum.

The OP identified the item as an Ethan Allen nightstand, a brand known for solid wood construction and long-lasting designs. The photo shows a two-drawer piece with classic detailing and a rich wood finish — the type of furniture that can sell for thousands of dollars when bought new.

A photo of an Ethan Allen nightstand has been gaining attention, surprising viewers who assumed the original poster must have lived in a wealthy area.
Photo Credit: Reddit
A photo of an Ethan Allen nightstand has been gaining attention, surprising viewers who assumed the original poster must have lived in a wealthy area.
Photo Credit: Reddit

Finds like this illustrate why people regularly scan curbsides for usable household items. Picking up free furniture can reduce the cost of everyday necessities, particularly for those furnishing a home on a budget. In some cases, discarded items include high-quality or recognizable brands that still hold value and can be reused as-is or resold after minor repairs. 

These situations also highlight how often furniture is thrown away for reasons unrelated to function. Solid wood pieces are frequently left behind during moves or renovations, even though they can be cleaned, repaired, or refinished with minimal effort. Similar curbside recoveries have gained attention online before, including shared before-and-after restorations and unexpected finds like gaming chairs left out for pickup.

Beyond cost savings, reusing furniture helps reduce waste by keeping large items out of landfills and lowering demand for new manufacturing. For many people, browsing curbsides, thrift stores, and resale platforms has become a practical way to stretch budgets while extending the life of durable goods.

FROM OUR PARTNER

Perk up the winter blues with natural, hemp-derived gummies

Camino's hemp-derived gummies naturally support balance and recovery without disrupting your routine, so you can enjoy reliable, consistent dosing without guesswork or habit-forming ingredients.

Flavors like sparkling pear for social events and tropical-burst for recovery deliver a sophisticated, elevated taste experience — and orchard peach for balance offers everyday support for managing stress while staying clear-headed and elevated.

Learn more

Overall, commenters responded positively to the homeowner's find.

One wrote: "Wow what a great job you did! I saw first picture and thought you lived in a pricey area."

Another focused on longevity, saying: "Bravo. Many more years of service for this treasure."

A third commenter pointed to the brand's reputation, exclaiming: "What a find! Ethan Allen is quality!"

What's the most you'd pay per month to put solar panels on your roof if there was no down payment?

$200 or more 💰

$100 💸

$30 💵

I'd only do it if someone else paid for it 😎

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.

Cool Divider