Where to Donate Furniture and Household Items in Walnut Creek
There’s a particular kind of tiredness that comes from standing in a room full of things you no longer need but can’t quite bring yourself to throw away.
The recliner your husband loved. The kids’ bunk beds. Three sets of dishes, because somehow you inherited two. None of it belongs in a landfill. It just needs a new home.
Whether you’re downsizing, clearing out a parent’s house, or getting ready to list, I’ve found that letting go gets so much easier when you know your things are going to help someone right here in our community. So here’s my go-to list of places to donate furniture and household items around Walnut Creek, plus a few tips that will save you a wasted trip.
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Before You Load Up the Car
Use the friend test. If you wouldn’t hand it to a friend, don’t donate it. Stained upholstery, broken drawers and chipped dishes cost local charities money to throw away. Hospice East Bay says this plainly on their site, and I think it’s a kind reminder for all of us.
Call first. What a shop can take, changes with the season and how full their back room is. A two-minute call saves you from driving a dresser around town.
Ask for a receipt. Most of the organizations below are nonprofits. Keep a simple list of what you donated and ask your tax preparer whether it makes sense to deduct.
Book pickups early. If you’re on a moving timeline, schedule furniture pickups a couple of weeks ahead. Pickup calendars fill up fast in spring and summer.
Furniture and Large Items
Hospice East Bay Thrift Shoppes
This is one of my favorites. There’s a shoppe at 1345 Newell Avenue in Walnut Creek, plus locations in Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Concord, Alamo and Danville. They take gently used furniture, lamps, mirrors, rugs, framed art, housewares, linens, clothing and jewelry. Proceeds support hospice and grief care for families right here in Contra Costa County.
If you have furniture to donate, they’ll pick it up at your home. Call the Concord shoppe at (925) 674-9072 to set up a time.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Concord
The ReStore at 2080 Diamond Boulevard is the place for furniture, appliances, cabinets, light fixtures and building materials. If you’re pulling out an old vanity or replacing a fridge before you list, this is where it should go. They pick up accepted donations for free, but they won’t take anything damaged, broken or missing parts.
St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County
St. Vincent de Paul runs thrift stores in the county, including one on Contra Costa Boulevard in Pleasant Hill, and offers truck pickup for larger items. Call to confirm what they’re accepting and to schedule.
Clothing, Linens and Housewares
Assistance League Thrift Shop in Lafayette. At 3521 Golden Gate Way, this shop is staffed entirely by volunteers, and all of the money stays in Contra Costa County to help local kids and adults in need. It’s a lovely place to bring clothing, accessories, home decor and kitchen things in good condition.
Hospice East Bay Thrift Shoppes. They take clothing, shoes, linens and housewares too, so you can bring everything in one trip. Bags under 20 pounds are much appreciated by their volunteers.
Your neighborhood. Local "Buy Nothing" groups and neighborhood apps are wonderful for the in-between items, like a half-used craft stash or a box of canning jars. Someone down the street is almost always looking for exactly that.
The Tricky Stuff
Paint, chemicals, pool supplies and old propane canisters. The Central San Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility at 4797 Imhoff Place in Martinez takes these free for Walnut Creek residents, Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with no appointment. They can take up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit. They also have a Reuse Room, where usable products get a second life.
Batteries, CFL bulbs and cell phones. RecycleSmart collects these at the curb weekly. Check their website for how to set them out.
Bulky items no one will take. RecycleSmart offers on-call bulky item pickup for a fee, and single-family homes get one free on-call landfill cleanup each year. Twice a year they also hold Reuse & Cleanup Days, when usable items are passed along to people in need.
Medications. These don’t go to the hazardous waste facility. Ask your pharmacy about take-back options.
A Little Something From My Own Life
Every spring I hit that moment where I look around my house and wonder how we ended up with so much. Before I buy a single new bin, I try to do a reset and keep it local. And every year I put on the Hidden Lakes Yard Sale, which has taught me just how much of what we store can make someone else’s day.
That’s really the heart of it. Donating isn’t just clearing space. It’s passing a little bit of your story on to a neighbor.
When the Clear-Out Is Part of a Bigger Move
Sometimes a spring clean is just a spring clean. And sometimes it’s the first sign that your home doesn’t quite fit the season you’re in anymore.
If you’re clearing things out because a move is on the horizon, a question I hear often is, "Should I clear everything before I talk to a Realtor?" My honest answer: talk to me first. I can tell you which rooms buyers care about most, what can stay for staging, and what to leave for last, so you don’t spend energy where it doesn’t matter.
A quick note: resource details were checked in September 2026. Hours, addresses and accepted items change, so please call ahead.
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I hadn’t bought or sold a home in over 35 years, so I was understandably nervous about the process. Carrie LaShell made everything smooth, clear, and stress-free from start to finish. She was not only incredibly professional, but also warm, personable, and genuinely invested in helping me every step of the way.
Carrie took the time to explain everything in detail, answered all my questions with patience, and made sure I felt confident in every decision. Her knowledge of the market and attention to detail were impressive, and her communication was always prompt and reassuring.
I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. If you’re looking for a real estate agent who truly cares and delivers exceptional service, I would definitely recommend Carrie.”
STILL READING?
Sorting a whole house, not just a closet? My blog Keep, Donate, Sell or Let Go: Downsizing Your Walnut Creek Home walks through the full four-bucket system, and my free 7-Week Downsizing Checklist turns it into small weekly steps.
A Quick Reminder
If you haven't grabbed the 7-Week Downsizing Checklist yet,
Final Thoughts
There’s something healing about knowing the table where your family ate dinner for 20 years is about to host someone else’s. Letting go is hard. Letting go well is a gift, to you and to whoever gets what you pass along.
With you in every chapter, Carrie
Carrie LaShell
Realtor, eXp Realty • DRE #02149436
I'm not here to sell houses. I guide, advise, and simplify, so Walnut Creek and East Bay homeowners can move through life's biggest transitions with a lot more clarity and a lot less stress.
925-478-0084
FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTIONS
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Hospice East Bay picks up furniture donations (call 925-674-9072), and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Concord offers free pickup of accepted items.
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The Assistance League Thrift Shop in Lafayette and the Hospice East Bay Thrift Shoppes, including one on Newell Avenue in Walnut Creek, both accept gently used clothing.
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Take it to the Central San Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility at 4797 Imhoff Place in Martinez. It’s free for residents and no appointment is needed.
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Items that are broken, stained, damaged or missing parts. Many shops also can’t accept mattresses or hazardous items, so call before you go.
Clearing out for a move?
Let’s do a quick walk-through together. I’ll help you decide what to keep for staging, what to donate now, and what can wait. It takes about an hour and there’s no obligation.
Your things have a lot of love left in them, and so do you.
Carrie LaShell
East Bay Realtor | eXp Realty
I help East Bay sellers navigate the life transition behind the move. Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Danville, San Ramon, Alamo, Martinez.
925-478-0084 | carrielashell.com
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