Redecorating your home doesn’t mean you have to spend an excessive amount of money. With consignment shops and online services, slightly used furniture can easily find new life in new homes. Just as when shopping for anything else, make sure you’re an informed shopper. Here are few simple tips on what to look out for when buying used furniture.
Don’t Be Afraid to Be Picky
Selling secondhand furniture is a big industry, and it offers a large variety of options. There’s a high probability your ideal piece of furniture is out there—you just have find it. If you’re not in immediate need of furniture, then don’t be afraid to take your time and shop around. Use all the tools at your disposal to create the look you want for your home. Try using a digital platform, such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, to find your new furniture from the comfort of your old furniture. You can also hit the pavement on weekends to find great deals at yard sales and estate sales. Shop around until you find the furniture that best suits your sense of style.Shop with an Open Mind
“Used” isn’t a bad word. Many times, “secondhand” furniture is actually brand-new—as you search for furniture, look for pieces that were never used. In some cases, perfectly good furniture may have taken up precious square feet in someone’s home, or it simply may have been the incorrect fit for a room. Shoppers may be surprised to find that sellers are often more motivated than buyers.Test It Out
Before you finalize a sale on a piece of used furniture, make sure it’s comfortable for your needs. Test out the furniture before you purchase. If someone is looking to make a sale, they won’t mind you giving that couch a test drive. If the current owner is apprehensive about you testing the comfort of a piece, then that might be a red flag that something is defective. In that case, keep shopping!Check for Hitchhikers
With all used furniture you bring into your home, you’ll want to check for pests. Unwanted guests such as bedbugs love to hitch rides on furniture. Bedbugs can go several months without feeding, so not seeing them isn’t a surefire way to know the piece isn’t infested. After purchasing any secondhand furniture, it’s a great idea to have a pest inspection just to be safe. Find quick and non-intrusive pest inspection services in your area. A bedbug canine inspection service is an especially good way to give your home a good onceover after your purchase; canine inspections are known for being very accurate, quick, and minimally invasive.As you prepare to find your new furniture, don’t forget to use the tools that make shopping easier to find a great piece for a great bargain. Remember that you have to live with your new furniture purchase, so purchase secondhand pieces that fit your style and, most importantly, that are comfortable for you.