How to Stoop Like a Pro
When it comes to interiors, we often think that the best finds come from expensive stores with heavy-hitting price tags, but I’m here to tell you that’s simply not the case, in fact, I would argue the opposite. Since I moved to downtown Toronto in 2013 I’ve noticed something special about our little community and that is what the locals call Stooping. Often folks will be cleaning out their basements and garages alike, leaving furniture and miscellaneous items on the street for free. When I first started seeing this it was often random and if you found something it was the luck of the draw, but fast forward ten years and Stooping is now a full-on sport. There are now apps and Instagram accounts like @stooping_toronto, dedicated to getting the word out on great finds people have put outside. And it's not just furniture anymore, you can find anything from kids toys to books to a box of discarded cassette tapes that haven’t seen the light of day since 1986. Stooping has become a fun (and cost-effective) way to find unique items for your home, without breaking the bank. So, today I’ll be sharing some of my top tips to make sure you get the most out of the Stooping experience and take home free pieces that will help elevate your home.
Look for classics
This is an essential part of the Stooping process. Everyone has stuff, so wading through all the content to find quality items is part of the battle. I usually look for items with classic looks, and clean lines. If I see something that piques my interest, I’ll often try to picture it in my home before I pick it up. For example, this bureau was a random find walking down our old street and though I wouldn’t normally stop to consider a piece so large, it was the structure of the piece and classic look that made me fall in love with it. Also knowing that a bureau this large would normally cost thousands of dollars, this one was just sitting there and even had an authenticity tag in the top right drawer from the 1960s with its quality approval. After a quick look over and measuring to make sure we could get it inside, we brought it all the way home and we are so glad we did to this day. We’re also grateful we acted fast because if you leave something beautiful like that under consideration for too long there is a real chance that Stoop is going to get scooped!
Be sure to investigate
When it comes to free items, it is easy to focus on how free it is versus the quality of the actual item. When it comes to Stooping I have a few rules, especially with furniture, before I take it home with me. The first question I usually try to answer by looking at the piece is, is it is upholstered? Items like chairs and couches with fabric that aren’t leather are more susceptible to things like dander, bugs, and suspicious stains. I have heard horror stories of infestations living in the fabric or animals that thought a furniture piece was a litter box, so taking a few minutes to look the item over to make sure there are no visible stains or signs of creatures before moving on to my next question is a must. My next question is “Why are they getting rid of it?”. Is it damaged beyond repair (or repair that you’re willing to do), are there aspects of it that are wonky or bulky? There is a chance the item is going because it didn’t fit or because someone is restyling their living room but it’s important to look for any obvious signs, like a wonky leg that could cause it to collapse. Take this chair we brought home from a closing coffee shop. Before carrying it home we took a look at how the chair was constructed for any wobbles and checked it from all sides to make sure there was no irreparable damage. Now they’re our new kitchen chairs and are actually more durable than most chairs you can find in stores these days. All in all, take the time to make sure this new free thing is worth adding to your life and will keep the rest of your home pristine in the process.
Keep an open mind
I love Stooping because it helps keep things fresh. I would have never bought some of the items I’ve found on the street and I’m always grateful for the things I take because it challenges me to try out new ways to style my home. This bench was going to be thrown away from an old office but is now our coffee table and seating backup, something I never would have bought on my own. Even if it’s not 100% perfect, what you find is going to your home instead of a landfill and will be a talking point for years to come.
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