Why You Should Buy Used

While we all tend to like new things, buying furniture can be a bit like buying a new car.  The minute you walk in, salesmen tend to swarm like vultures and the moment you drive off the lot, your new vehicle’s value begins to fall.  Recognizing this, many people are adamant about buying their cars used because they not only hold their value better, but they also allow you to leave with a better price.

With furniture, it’s amazing what kinds of benefits you can get when you decide to skip the furniture stores, and stick to consignment shops and tag sales.

1.) COST:  In short, used items are generally less expensive than their new counterparts—unless you’re considering something which is a valuable antique.

2.) CUSTOMIZATION:  When it comes time to decorate, many of the design magazines and books are filled with expensive items that tend to be a bit outside the reach of everyday people.  However, if you have your eye on a particular style or shape, buying used presents a fantastic opportunity to create the look you want for less.  If you can find a piece of furniture such as a chair or couch with the specific shape you’re looking for, you can always re-upholster it in the same or similar fabric that you see on designer pieces that cost thousands of dollars.  While re-upholstering isn’t exactly cheap, depending upon the type of fabric you choose to go with, it can present a wonderful opportunity to really customize your home on a budget.

3.) QUALITY:  In short, furniture—along with everything else we purchase on an everyday basis—simply doesn’t get made the way it used to.  While it’s still possible to find quality pieces, most items that you’ll see at major retailers contain particle board and wood veneers.  Yes, they look great and may even hold up just fine; however, if you’re looking decades down the road, the story may be a bit different.

4.) STYLE: While there’s something to be said for opening a catalogue and purchasing everything you like, it’s still nice to have a home that’s filled with items which are imbued with stories.  If you’re looking to create something that’s uniquely you, used items present a wonderful opportunity for you to create a specific look with mismatched pieces.

5.) ENVIRONMENTALISM:  Perhaps the environment isn’t really “your thing;” however, there’s absolute truth to the idea that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  Instead of relegating unneeded furniture to the landfill, we can extend the use of these pieces so that our planet will benefit.  Unless it is truly in disrepair, used furniture can look brand-new with a little bit of fresh paint and some new fabric.

Susan Hill | All Around The House Fine Consignment | www.allaroundthehouse1.com