You Might Regret Donating These 7 Things, According to Designers

Clearing out clutter is great — until it turns into throwing away stuff you maybe should hang onto. Minimalism isn’t the problem, but it can go too far sometimes during a big purge if you’re just letting everything go. One box turns into two boxes turns into three. And before you know it, you feel lighter and less weighed down by old stuff. Until you realize you kind of liked that old stuff … and you end up rebuying it later.

I’m all for paring down, but I thought it might be useful to chat with some home pros to get their feedback on what’s worth holding onto for a little while longer, either from a sentimental or even monetary perspective. That way, you won’t go too far the next time you get rid of things. These seven decor items are things you might regret donating, according to design and organizing experts. So think twice before you put them in the donate pile so you can save time, money, and energy later. 

When you’re staring at shelves full of books that remind you of all the TBRs that were never actually read — or you’re moving — the thought of lifting one more box of books might send you into a tailspin. For that reason, it’s not surprising that books are often one of the first items to be donated. But Sara McDaniel, designer and vintage seller at Simply Southern Cottage, cautions against letting every title in your bookcase go. 

“These books often make for fabulous styling pieces either as a coffee table accent, a book wall, or even on your dining room table,” says McDaniel. “And in some cases what a family may think is ‘just another old book’ can be a rare first edition and valuable.” The moral of the story? Keep what’s vintage and don’t completely clear your shelves, as books provide entertainment and decorating value. 

Your grandmother may have had a collection of sweet little Hummels or figurines. And as soon as you get your hands on them, you might be tempted to send them to the thrift store in the hopes that someone else will appreciate them. But stop before you do. Keeping one or two can be a lovely memento of family history. “If you have a million Hummels, do you need to keep every single one?” asks Kylie Bass, founder and principal of KBB Interiors. “Probably not! But absolutely hold onto a few that have sentimental value.” 

She adds: “My philosophy is that if something holds a special memory, it’s worth keeping. You don’t necessarily need to have a place for it right now. You’ll find one eventually, and sometimes those unexpected pieces end up being the things that make a room feel the most special.”

Anything that feels “old-fashioned” is quick to get thrown in the donation bin, and antique quilts are often at the top of that list. But these handmade pieces are works of art packed with sentimental meaning and a reminder of simpler times. Even if you don’t want the quilt in your home today, you may want to hang onto it for the memories. 

“Handmade quilts — especially handmade by a loved one — are rare, and you can’t ever get them back once they are gone,” says Ann Couser Kittredge, vintage home decor blogger at Dabbling & Decorating. Plus, as Kittredge explains, they can be used throughout the home. “Vintage quilts work beautifully as throws, on beds, as tablecloths, and even made into beautiful jackets,” she says. They also fold flat and are fairly easy to store. So maybe think twice before getting rid of a quilt. They’ve got heirloom status, and they’re definitely back in style too. 

Old dishes seem like something you should send straight to the donate pile — or even the trash can. Whether it’s a one-off vintage dish that isn’t your style or something that seems too chipped to use, these pieces are often cast aside. But, down the line, you might find yourself looking for dishes to hang on the wall or to complete an intentionally mismatched tablescape. Maybe one could be used as a tray for a plant — or a place to stash things like keys, change, and jewelry. When that day comes, as Kittredge says, you’re going to wish you hadn’t parted ways with all of yours. 

“Think of all the dinners and conversations had around this old dinnerware,” says Kittredge. “Use your old dishes on dining room tables, gallery walls, and as DIY projects — like wall hooks and cake stands.”

You don’t need to keep every old leather folio and seashell picked up on vacation, but some items that might usually make their way to the toss pile could actually serve as interesting and storied decor. “Keep your family’s old mementos and display them on shelves with other interesting things like an old pencil sharpener from your great uncle, the old yardstick, or an old bowling trophy from the ’70s,” says designer Laura Medicus.

She adds that these types of things are perfect next to potentially frameable items that would otherwise head straight to the trash, like your mother’s kindergarten diploma or a map from where a parent grew up. “These are interesting and personal items that can make shelves and a home so much more unique,” says Medicus.

Walk through any thrift store, and you’ll see a dozen solid wood dressers, desks, and chairs. Too many people let these pieces go, instead choosing to buy mass-market pieces with a relatively short shelf life. Hannah Zweben, founder of HZ Organized, works with clients who are downsizing, and she thinks solid wood furniture is one of the top items people always regret donating. “A piece with good bones can be painted and reupholstered, and it can last decades or a lifetime,” she says.

If a solid wood piece is beyond repair, by all means, find a way to dispose of it in as environmentally friendly of a fashion as possible. But if it’s still in good shape, consider giving it a facelift instead of defaulting to buying something new 

You’re sifting through art passed down by a loved one, and none of it’s really resonating with you. Off to the donate pile, it goes … but maybe it shouldn’t. As Zweben explains, professionally framed art is one of those things that she often sees people donate — yet they’re giving away something that could be easily repurposed into their own style. “Custom framing can run $300 to $500 or more for a mid-size piece, so even if the artwork isn’t to your taste, the frame retains its value,” says Zweben.

Instead take the frame to a professional framer — along with the artwork you’d rather have in your home — and they can retrofit your piece into the frame. Chances are the frame will make your art look extra-special, and the art will make the frame look brand-new.