There are so many ways to score easy-on-the-wallet home decor pieces these days, from big box stores to thrifting quests. But when something is free? That's almost always too good to pass up. Whether we call it "curb shopping" or "stooping," many of us are no strangers to driving along, spotting a potential treasure on the side of the road, and pulling over to pick it up. And that practice has been gaining even more steam due to current trends. According to the American Society of Interior Designers' 2025 ASID Trends Outlook Report, vintage pieces and unique finds are having a major momentand those are two things you might be lucky enough to spot on a curb. People also love the eco-friendly aspect of going secondhandthat when you pick up an item, it's being reused and recycled instead of tossed into a landfill. "Curbside treasures tell a story and offer a great way to embrace sustainability in design," says Kerrie Kelly, CEO and Creative Director of Kerrie Kelly Studio. She's been known to pull over for barn boards and transform them into farmhouse-inspired outdoor signs, like the one below. Kerrie KellyVictoria Meadows, Principal and Lead Designer at Victoria Meadows Interiors, lives on a condo-lined cul-de-sac in South Florida that, she says, is "secretly a vintage collector's paradise." There are new finds every week on the curb, thanks to snowbirds moving in and out or changing up old furnishings. As a result, her home is outfitted in several curbside finds. Related StoriesMeadows is particularly drawn to rattan, saying that she scored the set of six vintage rattan dining chairs shown here and she also rescued a rattan accent chair and revived it to create a reading nook in her guest room. Another time, an abandoned gold etagere was practically "begging her to take it in and give it new life," and now it serves as a spot for her vintage record player and knickknacks. Eve Greendale PhotographyJoanne Palmisano, interior designer and author of Salvage Secrets Design & Decor, also has had incredible luck when it comes to snatching up curbside finds, and weaves them into her designs. For instance, she turned a timeworn table into a kitchen island, another find into a spray-painted-pink outdoor table, and a pair of doors into an oversized ottoman. She frequently sees the possibilities in items that others may overlook. Joanne PalmisanoJoanne PalmisanoIn fact, designers say that's the secret to curbside findsenvisioning whats possible And that's what these five designers have been known to do on a regular basis. Here, they share their advice on how to tell actual trash from potential treasure.Brake for Something UniqueKsenya Malina Ksenya Malina of New York interior design studio Time & Place Interiors says that a side-of-the-road treasure is one of the biggest thrills for a designer. "It's like retail therapy without the price tag. And it always makes for a great story," she says. "People often throw out great things they don't want to have to deal withmaybe it's too heavy to donate, or they don't have the time to find someone to pick it up." Malina shares that for example, she's outfitted a galley kitchen with a curbside vintage pendant lightall she had to do was add a new glass orb. "Whether it's a unique piece of furniture with great bones or a casegood that can be repurposed, roadside finds can add character and sustainability to a home," she says.And Claire Zinnecker, Founder and Creative Director of Claire Zinnecker Design, who has a curbside dresser in her guest room, shares a common viewpoint when it comes to picking up stuff: "One persons trash is another's treasure. All it takes is some imagination."Get Hands-On for Quality ControlWhen you do spy a possible curbside score, Malina recommends giving the item a "gentle shake for sturdiness." If you're after noteworthy brands, she advises, "open dresser drawers to check for markings. Look on the underside of tables and chairs. And turn over lamps, dishes, or glassware for signatures."You also might be able to get a sense of the quality just from where the item has been located. As Palmisano says, if the curbside piece is next to a cool, old house, or if the neighborhood is generally known for being old-school, "there may be some good finds."In general, even if something doesn't carry a label, Kelly is always on the lookout for solid construction: real wood instead of particle board, sturdy frames, and unique details that make a piece worth restoring. Avoid UpholsteryHow do you decide if a curbside piece is safe to take home? First, Malina suggests checking for any creepy-crawlies roaming in drawers or for any rotting in crevices. Kelly says that a quick inspection for mold or general structural damage is key. And of course, if the piece has a strong odor, deep water damage, or is beyond repair, keep driving.Upholstered pieces aren't usually all that safe to bring home. "Im not a fan of upholstered pieces," Palmisano says. "First, you don't know how long they have been outside. Second, you just don't know if pets have been sitting on them, or if they are filled with other critters. If I see a cool tablecloth or linen piece, then I know I can wash thatbut anything larger with upholstery on it I steer away from."Consider the Time and Money You'll Invest in a Refurb"If a large, cumbersome piece requires extensive refurbishment, think twice before taking on the chore or the expense of making it usable again," Malina says. "Custom upholstery and furniture restoration are pricey services."Make Sure It's Yours for the TakingNot sure if an item is resting on the curb while its owner carries something else insideor waiting to be picked up by the garbage truck or claimed by a new owner? Malina says that if an item is sitting suspiciously close to the home, or there's a moving truck nearby, definitely ring the doorbell to find the former owner, or approach a mover and ask before spiriting it away. But if the items are next to trash bins or accessorized with a "free" sign, then Palmisano says that they're fair game. Make a Curbside Find Your OwnIf you've determined that a curbside find is pest-free, clean, and able to be repaired, then you can start dreaming up ways to refresh and style it. For instance, if you stop for artwork and it's in good condition, Meadows notes that you can always change out the frame to match your decor style. And although she's been searching high and low for a large glass coffee table, she got clever with a full-height glass dining table and cut off the wooden legs to create a perfectly-sized coffee table.Some pieces simply need a little love. Malina recommends oiling down wood furniture with a light conditioner to give it a fresh feel, and polishing up brass accents. You can even add a new shade to a lamp base or install new hardware on a cabinet. Painting is always an option, too. For Palmisano, she prefers to refinish a wood table to its "natural glory," but if it's metal, she gets out the paint. Zinnecker points out that painting is a fairly "low lift and big impact DIY."And she's not afraid to experiment. As she says, "if I didn't spend money buying a piece, it makes it easier for me to experiment to make it my aesthetic without worrying if the refurbishing project isn't a success, which happens sometimes!" Overall, the designers agree that, as long as the piece isn't upholstered, and hasn't seen (much better) days, according to designers, a curbside find is (almost) always a good idea. Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.