While the cabinet or dresser left out for trash might not be worth your effort to haul it home, check the pulls. Drawer pulls are a simple, inexpensive (if not free!) way to spruce existing furniture. Consider using them in other areas of the house as a creative hook alternative.

p.s. It helps to travel with tools; a small screwdriver with interchangeable heads now lives in our glove box (after I removed these using a jutted out groove of our house key and some strategic pressure).