Tips for Buying Second Hand Furniture

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Your home furniture is one of the reasons that you love your home.  Furniture is the accessory that makes your rooms come together and helps you enjoy the amenities of a comfortable lifestyle.  Since it is a large makeup of our home, we often can’t replace furniture as often as we would like.  Instead of having to save up for furniture, why not buy it second hand or reuse furniture in a different capacity? 

What a great environmental gesture and you can mimic this trend in furniture finds.  Check out these tips to help you buy second-hand furniture from a thrift shop in Panama City Beach, FL or find new uses for old furniture.

  

1.) Try out furniture before you buy: Whether you purchase second-hand furniture on Craigslist, or a garage/estate sale, ‘sample’ the furniture before money exchanges hands.  Open up drawers in cabinets, sit in chairs and lean on tables.  If an item has been damaged you need to confirm that it is still in satisfactory shape for you to start using at your home. Even if it is damaged, make sure you are confident you or someone else can fix it and pay appropriately for the condition of the piece.

 

2.) Trust your senses when buying second-hand furniture: Furniture that has been in someone else’s home may have the odors of past owners. When buying furniture consider this in your decision. Some odors may air out, while others like pets and smoking odors may not.  Don’t get so enamored in the great deal that you forget this is getting ready to be part of your home and family for years to come.

 

3.) Second-hand mattresses can harbor germs: Although tempting, second-hand mattresses are not recommended to use more again.  Mattresses can harbor germs, bacteria, and bugs that you can’t see.  If you need a mattress and can’t afford to buy a brand new one, consider buying a futon mattress or air mattress until you can afford a traditional one.

 

4.) Reupholstering can you save you money: Second hand and old furniture may have been constructed with quality structural components and may just need a ‘facelift’.  Similar to renovating an older home, furniture was made with better workmanship and quality products years ago.  Instead of passing over an old looking Queen Ann chair at an antique store, think of the potential and money savings to buying a brand new replica furniture piece.

 

5.) Pay attention to the support system of couches: Couches are not created equal in their inner construction.  Be wary of mesh support or Styrofoam peanuts for the sofa cushions.  They will not last a long time.  Instead, opt for an eight-way hand-tied support construction and cushions that are filled with down feathers or wrapped foam.

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