A house is a house, but the furniture in it makes it a home. That’s the accessory that makes the whole place come together and enables you to truly enjoy the roof over your head.
And, let’s be honest, it’s a massive makeup of any home, and replacing your furniture can often be a challenging and costly endeavor. On that end, a reliable used furniture store may help you get the most out of the furniture replacement project, and you may also be able to reuse your current furniture in a different capacity.
Still, there are a few tips and tricks that we’d want to share with second-hand furniture buyers to get the best deal possible.
Used Furniture Buying Tips
- Try Out the Pieces Before Buying Them
If you buy second-hand and directly from a private seller instead of a store, make sure to “sample” the piece before buying it. For instance, if you are getting cabinets, make sure that the drawers work and the tables and chairs are stable. This can help you establish whether there’s any damage, whether it’s fixable, or whether it’s something you can live with.
Still, always go for pieces that are in good condition or easy to fix.
- Use Your Senses
How to buy used furniture and remain on “the safe side?” Well, make good use of your common sense. Some second-hand pieces may have odors. Inspect whether those odors may air out, or you will need a deep cleaning to get them back into usable shape.
On that end, remember that some second-hand pieces may even harbor germs. For instance, some may recommend avoiding getting second-hand mattresses as they can harbor bugs and bacteria, which might not be evident at first.
- Go for Hardwood Options
If you buy second-hand, don’t forget that hardwood furniture will be more durable if you take good care of it. Maple and oak are always excellent options. And when buying second-hand sofas, for example, this is a crucial factor. Softer woods like pine lumber may have problems with withstanding pressure and weight for long periods. So, always consider the type of wood when buying second-hand furniture.
- Save With Reupholstering
Experienced second-hand furniture buyers already know that used, older pieces often only need a “facelift,” as they have been constructed with high-grade materials and components. It’s like renovating an older house that was made with overall better products and workmanship. So, always consider the potential of an older piece that may look a bit abandoned and may need only some love to look fantastic again.
- Inspect the Couch’s Support System
When it comes to couches, always inspect the inner construction. Mesh support or sofa styrofoam peanut cushions may not last long. When buying used furniture like couches, opt for hand-tied, eight-way support cushions and construction with wrapped foam or feathers.
- Metal Furniture Is Always a Great Idea
How to buy used furniture and get the most out of every dollar? Experts will always tell you that aluminum or wrought iron are excellent options, especially after being refurbished. Before that, these pieces may even look ugly. Still, veteran second-hand buyers know that a thorough rust removal and a nice powder coat can make a world of difference.
- What About Trash Day Finds?
We don’t really encourage you to rummage through dumpsters to find the holy grail of used furniture, but you may find a few good pieces near dormitories and apartments before thrash day. Sometimes, the second-hand furniture is in good condition and gets thrown out simply because there was no room left, or the tenants had to move. Remember, things that end up on the curb don’t always belong there. Just don’t make a habit of dumpster diving by any means.
- Be Careful with “Assembly Required” Pieces
While self-assembling furniture is a great way to save some money, when buying used furniture of this type, you need to ensure that it still has all of its original pieces and original sturdiness.
- Refinish the Old Furniture Purposefully
Repurposing your furniture is a trendy and useful idea, but you will want to make the necessary tweaks to avoid ruining the piece. Let’s say you want to transform an older dresser into a bathroom vanity. If that’s
the case, refinish it using a waterproof finish.
- Go Prepared
Always shop with dimensions in your hand. Second-hand furniture buyers know that you will need to have a clearer idea of what you can fit in your space and what you actually need. For the most part, you won’t be shopping without knowing your dimensions upfront, so always know at least the room dimensions.
Also, you will need to transport the new pieces. On that end, one of the biggest mistakes people make is coming unprepared for the transportation of the furniture. Some stores will hold your purchase for a few days, while others will demand you take it with you. So, it’s always better to come prepared and come with a larger truck that can accommodate sizable cargo.
- Check Second-Hand Stores, Rentals, and Hotel Furniture
Second-hand retailers will always be your best option when looking for good deals in great shape. On the other hand, you can also consider retailers who rent their furniture to corporations. These pieces are often hardly used, and you may still be able to get a stellar deal on them, especially during clearance sales.
Hotels will often renovate and then sell old furniture as well. These may be harder to find, and you will want to steer clear of used mattresses because of the things we mentioned above.
Lastly, you can always consider furniture auctions. You can find really great pieces at these events, but you should know that, apart from the usually better quality, the prices will also be higher than in the case of a classified ad or a retailer.
Give Us a Visit
Second-hand furniture hunts are always exciting and really rewarding, especially if you follow the tips and tricks we’ve listed above. Habitat for Humanity Restore is all about finding and refurbishing tasteful and useful pieces. If you need any help with finding great second-hand furniture or want to learn more about the possibilities you can do with older pieces, gives us a visit – we are more than ready to help.
