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Secondhand furniture is an excellent way to furnish or refurnish your home without spending a lot of money, and there are some excellent hidden gems if you know where to look. Don’t be put off by the thought of owning something pre-loved – you’ll be amazed by what you find.
Buying Secondhand Furniture
Secondhand furniture is a rapidly booming business and you can find secondhand furniture easier than ever – in secondhand stores, through dealers, via online sites such as eBay, and even in your friend’s garage or on the side of the street. However, while the furniture may seem like a bargain, it is a good idea to inspect it thoroughly first to ensure that it is in sound condition. Check that it is structurally sound, that no components are missing, and that any upholstery used is clean, and free from wear.
However, if you fall in love with a piece that looks tattered, all is not lost. Most types of furniture can be repaired or renovated so that it looks as new. Just be sure that the repairs that you make will be worth the cost. For example, re-upholstering a lounge that is structurally sound may see you get another ten years use out of it, but if the lounge needs to have the springs or other structural aspects replaced, the cost may quickly outweigh what it would cost to buy the item new.
The Advantages of Secondhand Furniture
Secondhand furniture is an excellent option for several reasons. Firstly, it is environmentally sound. By opting for a secondhand piece over a new piece, you are saving the item from landfill and also stopping the pollution that would occur as a result of making a new piece of furniture. If it is timber, so much the better – valuable trees are not being cut down!
You can also hunt for a unique piece of furniture that you wouldn’t see elsewhere. Antique shops are a veritable treasure trove of quirky, interesting pieces that often need very little work to bring them up to their former glory.
Ensuring Your Secondhand Furniture is a Bargain
Just because it’s secondhand furniture doesn’t mean that it’s automatically a bargain. To find a real bargain, it is important to do some research. Find out how much a similar item to what you are looking for sells for in a standard retail shop. If you are only saving a few dollars, then it may not be worth the while, especially if the item isn’t in tip top condition to begin with. An example of a fantastic bargain might be a lounge setting that is 12 months old that would normally sell for $4,000, and you’ve only paid $1,500 for it. Generally, however, go in with the mindset that you will be saving around 30 percent on average. There is also a lot of room for haggling with many secondhand furniture retailers or sources.
What You Can Find Secondhand
You can find just about anything secondhand if you are willing to take the time to look. Common secondhand items include:
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