What you Need to Know Before Buying Thrift Furniture

Buying thrift furniture mean a steal for you home furnishings. Follow these three easy tips before you buy.

1.       Look for labels.

 I apply this same principle when I thrift clothes shop. When you look for a label you are ensuring that it is a quality material. A name brand material may be built to a better standard and last longer. Some people part with furniture sets from well-known furniture stores. Looking for those labels in a thrift store can help you save big time. My college roommate bought a bedroom set at a deep discount because the seller had to move out of state. Just because the furniture was in last year’s collection, doesn’t mean it can’t add value to your home. People inherit antiques and get rid of them because they don’t care for the style. Sometimes that’s the best way to find quality wood designs.

2.       Look for structural flaws.
 

The drawers to this antique trunk are flimsy. The owner isn't willing to rebuild them and I wouldn't either. Instead of using them for storage, they are using the drawers for decorative purposes.

 You may have heard this same warning when buying a home. Don't buy it if it has structural issues. Take a look at the piece you are considering closely, because at first a structural flaw may not be apparent. Open the drawers, look at the bottom, the back, and the sides. Does a drawer stick out of the dresser because it doesn’t slide anymore? Is there a crack running through the bottom of your piece? Think about how much time you may want to invest on fixing this problem. Would you want to fix the foundation in a home? It takes time and money. If you are willing and able to fix some structural issues then go for it! But if you think this is past your area of expertise, let it go. At the end of the day, if a piece is unstable, it may not be safe to keep in your home.

3.       Look past the imperfections.

 

This white cushion was stained and ripped.



Recovered and as good as new!

 

My husband and I are currently house hunting and there sure are some interesting decorative choices. Purple carpets, yellow bathrooms, floral wallpaper, and stick on tiles to say the least. We look past those choices because they can be changed. Look past the imperfections on your thrift furniture. You almost have to expect that something has gone wrong with the piece. That’s why it found its way to a thrift store! Furniture can be sanded, painted, or recovered. Is the leg a little wobbly? Buy a new bolt! Don’t let the little things scare you. You will come up with a creative way to hide, enhance, or fix those imperfections.

See a floral couch makeover here.

And an imperfect desk restoration here.

Do you have a thrift piece waiting to beautify your home? See me for a consultation and we’ll come up with a design that suits your space.

Happy Thrift Shopping!