Local guide
Donating furniture in Richmond upon Thames
A practical guide to donating furniture, clothing and household goods across Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, East Sheen, Barnes, Whitton and Hampton — what charity shops in Richmond can take, what they can't, and how to get larger items collected from your home for free.
Book a free furniture collectionWhy donate locally rather than skip it
Thousands of usable sofas, wardrobes and dining sets are thrown away in the borough every year, often simply because moving them feels harder than binning them. Donating keeps that furniture in use, cuts waste heading to landfill, and — with Doing Good Network — turns it into paid-for training, work clothing and coaching for local people facing barriers to employment. Every net penny of profit stays in Richmond.
We collect large furniture — most charity shops in Richmond don't
Smaller high-street charity shops rarely have a van or the storage for bulky items, so sofas and wardrobes are usually turned away. Our van team collects larger donations from homes across the borough free of charge, including help getting items out of the house where it's safe to do so.
What we accept
Furniture
Sofas and armchairs (with fire labels), dining tables and chairs, wardrobes, chests of drawers, bookcases, desks and bed frames.
Clothing & textiles
Clean, wearable clothing, shoes, bags, coats, curtains and bed linen — bagged up and ready for the shop floor.
Household goods
Crockery, glassware, kitchenware, small working appliances, books, toys, games, pictures and décor.
Can't be resold? We still take a lot of it. Textiles beyond wear, unsellable homeware and broken furniture are separated for responsible recycling instead of general waste.
How to donate, step by step
1. Check the condition
Ask yourself whether you'd be happy to buy it. Clean, complete and safe items sell quickly and raise more for the community.
2. Photograph larger items
For furniture, send a photo, rough measurements and a note of any damage. That saves a wasted trip for everyone.
3. Drop off or book a collection
Bring bags and boxes into the shop during opening hours, or email us to arrange free collection of bigger pieces from your home.
4. See where it goes
Items are sorted, priced and resold affordably. Anything that can't be sold is recycled responsibly rather than sent to landfill.
Areas we cover in the borough
We collect from and serve Richmond, North Sheen, East Sheen, Kew, Barnes, Mortlake, Twickenham, St Margarets, Whitton, Teddington, Hampton, Hampton Hill and Ham. If you're just outside the borough, get in touch anyway — we'll tell you honestly whether we can help or point you somewhere that can.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I donate furniture in Richmond upon Thames?
Charity shops across Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, East Sheen and Whitton take smaller homeware, but most cannot store or move large furniture. Doing Good Network accepts sofas, tables, chairs, wardrobes, drawers and beds, and we collect larger items from your home across the borough.
Do you collect furniture for free?
Yes. Our van team offers free collection of larger furniture donations within Richmond upon Thames, subject to availability and the item's condition. Email info@doinggoodnetwork.org.uk with a photo, rough dimensions and your postcode and we'll book a slot.
Does upholstered furniture need a fire label?
It does. Under UK furniture and furnishings fire safety regulations, sofas, armchairs, mattresses and other upholstered items can only be resold with their original fire safety label attached. If the label is missing we can usually still arrange responsible recycling.
What can't you accept?
We can't take upholstered items without fire labels, broken or unsafe electricals, damp or heavily damaged furniture, flat-pack items that have already been dismantled, cots and car seats, or anything soiled. If in doubt, send us a photo first.
Can I get a receipt or Gift Aid on donated items?
We can confirm your donation in writing on request. As a social enterprise, 100% of our net operating profit is reinvested locally, so your donation directly funds coaching, training and employment costs for people in Richmond.
Got something to donate?
Send us a photo and your postcode and we'll come to you, or drop smaller items into the shop any time we're open.