If you read my blog regularly, actually if you read any DIY blog regularly, you are probably a second hand vintage furniture lover and appreciate the magic that paint can weave. However I know a huge proportion of people, when looking to decorate their house, automatically head to shops selling new furniture. Perhaps I might be able to sway some of them...
Why buy second hand Furniture?
Second hand Furniture is Good for your Finances
If you have a limited budget or don’t want to spend a fortune furnishing and decorating your home, second hand furniture is perfect. Many pieces of second hand furniture are structurally sound and still look great; they were just not wanted any more by their previous owners. People change styles, have changing requirements, downsize, pass away etc and yet the furniture still may have a lot of years of use left. Even if there are slight defects you can repair these easily by repainting (see my painting tutorials), by reupholstering, sanding out marks and scratches etc. By buying second hand or pre-loved, you are often able to buy a better quality product than you would be able to afford otherwise.Table, chairs, sideboard, mirror all second hand - total spent $225 |
Second Hand Furniture is Good for the Environment
Buying second hand is environmentally responsible. You are saving something from landfill and extending its product life as well as not buying something new which in turn reduces your carbon footprint and CO2 emissions because of less production, raw material sourcing and logistics. It's amazing what you can find on the side of the road the evening before council clean up. One man's trash is another man's treasure.fabulous finds at Auction |
Second Hand Furniture is Good - They don't make it like they used to!
You can buy solid vintage furniture that is beautifully made and has already stood the test of time. Choosing second hand furniture allows you to buy higher quality furniture while still staying within a lower budget. I also think that when you are buying vintage furniture that the problems will already have shown themselves - if the wood is going to split or sag, it probably already would have. Just make sure you inspect your second hand furniture before buying it.
Create your own style
Mix and matching old and new furniture and pieces is a great way to create a unique home décor style without spending very much money. In a society that increasingly prizes individuality, by not buying the latest trend that's on sale in a huge department store or shopping at places like IKEA where millions of other people own the exact same item, buying second hand vintage pieces will create a fantastic eclectic look that will speak of your own style. For me, this is one of the best reasons for buying vintage furniture, I'm not one who wants my house to look like a shopping catalogue or showroom.Second hand Cabinet, frame, armchairs, coffee table, vintage wire crate |
The thrill of the bargain hunt
Thrifting is fun. We all know how good it is to find a "bargain". Finding second hand furniture is exciting and very rewarding - the hunt for the treasure is as much of the story as owning it.A little slice of history
I think the idea of someone having owned the furniture before you is what turns a lot of people off buying second hand furniture but I love a piece's history. I love the signs of age and use and the smooth well worn handles showing signs of years of use. I love that a family before mine has had that piece of furniture serving a purpose in their home. Sure of course I clean my second hand furniture well, airing out smells and wipe away years of grime and dust. I'm also very particular about second hand upholstery and there's no way I'd ever be tempted to buy a second hand mattress or safety equipment.
Hopefully if you weren't already convinced about the beauty of buying pre-loved items then this post will sway you to not buy into the whole convenience of cheaply made, throw-away goods that abound in retail shops today.
Second hand furniture: Cabinet, chalkboard frame, French Pot, (and through door, lamp and bedside table) |
Cheers
Fiona
Shared here: My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, Dedicated house, Miss Mustard Seed, Redoux interiors, French Country Cottage A Stroll thru life power of Paint My Repurposed Life Fabulous Furniture Coastal Charm transformation Thursday Shabby Nest Natasha in Oz
All EXCELLENT points!!
ReplyDeleteA fantastic post Fiona and so true especially if people buy your beautiful preloved furniture. It's so beautiful and unique and still cheaper than what you can buy new in shops. I appreciate your creativity and how you share your knowledge and talent. thanks Beth
ReplyDeleteYou are so right... I love second hand furniture...the thrill of the hunt, the transformation, the feeling of accomplishment ...not to mention that most are one of a kind pieces... My home is filled with these pieces and I wouldn't trade it at all... Great post..
ReplyDeleteyes yes yes! for all of those reasons and then some!
ReplyDeleteAgree with all this Fiona, such a fantastic post. Your furniture and your house are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat points- agree with them all. Adele
ReplyDeletePlus, if you redid the furniture yourself, you have the sense of pride and satisfaction of making it look beautiful. It is a form of artistic expression and very fulfilling to look at a piece of furniture and think, "I did that."
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. I like second hand furniture as I like pieces with lots of detail - carving, crown moulding, dove tail joins etc... and new furniture doesn't always have this. If they do they are usually very expensive. Looking forward to reading your guide.
ReplyDeleteKylie x
Great, great article, Fiona!
ReplyDeletegood points Fiona, I love the uniqueness of old furniture. I'm with you about IKEA. I can't abide it. It is so short term and wasteful. I would rather spend my money on something that lasts for a life time. It's one of the many reasons I follow your blog - I love how you bring back furniture into life and make it very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Fiona. We are living in such a disposable society I feel showing my girls the value of re-using older pieces is a really important life lesson.
ReplyDeleteFiona, I completely agree! When moved to Michigan a few years ago, we trolled garage sales (there are about a billion each summer in SE MI) and thrift stores to furnish our home. We were newlyweds with a teensy budget and had so much fun learning how to refresh second hand furniture. Plus, we now have one of a kind pieces that we will treasure for a long time. Thanks for sharing your tips! PS: I found you through the Inspire Me Tuesday linkup :)
ReplyDeleteand Amy, I know that every time you look at your furniture you will will have such good memories and pride of your efforts in finding it and doing it up!
Deletecheers Fiona
Great post! Pinned and Sharing on face book:)
ReplyDeleteSing it sista! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right...Buying second hand is truly being green. BTW the piece came out fabulous.
ReplyDeletePaula
And buying second hand is so much fun!!
DeleteThanks Paula for commenting
Cheers Fiona
Agreed! Lovely post :)
ReplyDeleteIt is better to buy vintage furniture than a new one because it is less costly and you can get quality product in less span of time without worry about how to buy and where to buy a new one.
ReplyDelete