Top 40 Unbelievable Treasures People Found On The Curb

Discover the thrill of curb mining and the hidden gems waiting on your sidewalk!

Damjan

• Published in Community
• October 27, 2024

In recent years, more people have started finding hidden gems on the sidewalks. This practice, known as “curb mining” or “stooping,” involves picking up items left on curbs for free.

It’s not just a fun way to find furniture, decor, or even electronics but also an eco-friendly way to save things from going to waste. What one person thinks of as trash can become someone else’s new favorite find, bringing new life to old items.

As people walk through city streets, they may come across end tables, shelves, paintings, or even a vintage motorcycle left out for anyone to take. Instead of throwing items away, people in cities with limited space leave them on the sidewalk, hoping someone else will pick them up and use them.

And that’s where curb mining enthusiasts come in — excited to find unique pieces without spending money. Thanks to groups like "Curbfinds," an online community of people sharing their best sidewalk finds, curb mining has become even more popular.

Members post photos of things they pick up and sometimes show off their DIY transformations. In this community, people share their finds and encourage others to try fixing or upcycling what they pick up. Seeing these transformations inspires others to look at unwanted items differently.

People get excited about the potential to make an item beautiful or functional again — all it takes is a little creativity and effort. We've pulled together a selection of their best posts, showcasing the surprising things friendly strangers leave behind on the sidewalk.

Ready to start looking?

"Cutest Curbfind: IKEA Doll Bed For My Cat. I Think He Approves"

"I Run Down An Old Dirt Road. Trash Is Dumped There. One Day I Stopped And Found A Box Of Money"

"I Had Put These In R/Thriftstorehauls A Bit Ago But Didn't Realize This Subreddit Existed. My Boss Was Getting Rid Of Some Things From His Mother's Estate And Brought A Bunch Of Stuff In With An Up For Grabs Sign In Our Conference Room. It Was Mostly Junk, Except For These Original Dalí Etchings"

"Got A Motorcycle For Free Today. Clean Title And Runs"

"Hand-Carved Vintage Liquor Cabinet!"

"Before And After Of A Cabinet I Found In The Trash"

"Removed Layers Of Old Paint And Rust From This Mid-Century End Table"

"Found This Airplane Rocker Down Our Street!"

"A Curbfind Dresser... With A New Bit Of Paint!"

"Curb Find Of The Century? Kitchen Aid Professional 5 Plus Stand Mixer With Attachments, And It Works!"

"I Don't Watch Much TV, But When I Do, It Comes From The Curb. Fully Functional Sony 4k TV. Thank You Curb Gods"

"I Spent The Day Making Memories With My Daughter And Her Curb Find. Was Quoted Over $1000 To Repair The Broken Side And Reupholster. For The Price Of Our Time, Some Glue, Screws, Staples, And Fabric, She Now Has Something In Her Bedroom She Absolutely Loves"

"1922 Sewing Machine"

"Not Exactly The Curb, But This Was Left In My Building's Disposal Room"

"Curb Alert. Someone Posted A Curb Alert Near Me And I Saw Two Mid Century Looking Dressers In The Corner. I Am Still In Awe"

"I Whipped My Car Around So Fast. If There Wasn’t A Sign That Said “Free” I’d Have Felt Like It Was Stealing"

"Found This Bad Boy Sticking Out Of A Trashcan. Stopped To Look And The Homeowner Came Out And Gave Me A Box To Move It"

"Found This Cedar Chest A Few Days Ago"

"Found A Bag Of Art Supplies In A Big Pile Of Junk Outside An Apartment"

"After Having No Table For 2 Weeks, This Lovely Vintage Find Was Amazing. The Drop Leaf Table Is Perfect For Our Small Space"

"Got This Beaut For Free! Outside A Thrift Store Where They Didn’t Think They Could Sell It!"

"Some Mom Stepped On Her Last LEGO…"

"Found This Old Trunk In My Neighborhood On Garbage Day. Excited To Have A Cool New Coffee Table/Extra Storage!"

"It’s Been 20 Years Since If Found A Curb Box This Good. All Records In Immaculate Condition. Mostly Australian Imports"

"Kid’s Poang IKEA Chair To Dog Throne"

"I Ran Through Traffic When I Saw It!"

"Found This 1940 - 41 Stromberg Carlson Radio On The Side Of The Road"

"Cleaned Up A Curb Find For My Plants"

"A Week Ago I Was Talking About How I Wished I’d Find A Snowboard In The Trash Because I’m A Broke Beginner Who Always Has To Borrow From Friends"

"Today's Groundscore"

"Don’t Mind If I Do"

"Just Need To Find Some Cushions Now"

"Leather Donghia Armchair A Buddy And I Hauled Off Of The Curb In The Middle Of The Night. Almost Perfect Condition!"

"I Found This Small Danish Credenza On My Walk To Work This Morning. Couldn’t Believe It. It Made Me Late For Work But That’s Ok. Oakland, Ca"

"Coffee Table Rehab. About $20 In Supplies"

"Update On My Hot Roasted Nuts Cart Curbfind"

"Found A Washer/Dryer Set (Knocked On Door To Make Sure They Worked) Days After Ours Went Out. So Happy!"

"This Luxury Dog Crate Was Being Thrown Out By Someone In My Building Who Couldn’t Keep Their Puppy"

"China Cabinet - From Buy Nothing Curb Alert"

"Brand New Christmas Ornaments"

Curb mining changes how people see value. While it’s easy to think “new is better,” curbside hunting shows that old, discarded items can be just as valuable. Something left on the sidewalk might look like trash to some, but to a curb miner, it’s a hidden treasure waiting for a new purpose.

Rather than always buying new, curb miners find ways to reuse and make things last. They help reduce waste, proving that worn or imperfect items can still be helpful and have charm. Picking up something from the curb gives it a second life and shows the power of resourcefulness.

Whether you’re a fan of curb mining or just curious, there’s a thrill in finding great things for free. So next time you’re out, look at what’s around. You never know what hidden gems you might discover.

Damjan