Thrift shopping is an increasingly popular option for Australians. Though people usually think of clothes when the idea of op shopping comes up, you’d be amazed at the range of furniture you can find at second-hand retailers. 

Second hand furniture is an excellent way to furnish or refurnish your home without spending a lot of money. As the cost of living rises, it’s important to know how to save money on big purchases. If you know what to look for and where to look, you’d be amazed at all the hidden gems you can find at bargain prices. 

Second-hand retailers also give you quick access to anything you like with a diverse range of styles, materials and designs. 

The benefits of buying second-hand furniture

Though the most common benefit of op shopping is that it is generally cheaper than buying new furniture, there are a lot of other advantages to buying secondhand furniture:

It’s a sustainable choice

These days, a lot of effort goes into making sure that we can make as much of our lives sustainable. A lot of that comes down to what we throw away and how much we make to replace it. 

By opting for a second hand piece over a new piece, you are saving the item from landfill and also stopping the pollution that would occur as a result of making a new piece of furniture. 

If it’s timber, it can save valuable trees from being cut down. Plastic or metal pieces can be intensive to recycle or deconstruct and others just sit in landfill and take up space. 

Bring some unique character to your home

You never know what you'll find when you go to a second hand retailer. Hidden among the furniture could be exactly the piece that you’ve been looking for. Sometimes you’ll stumble across items that you didn’t even think to want. 

You can also hunt for a unique piece of furniture that you wouldn’t see elsewhere.  Antique shops are a veritable treasure trove of quirky, interesting pieces that often need very little work to bring them up to their former glory.

Buying second hand furniture

Second hand furniture is a rapidly booming business. You can find second hand furniture easier than ever in second hand stores, through dealers, online sites, and even in your friend’s garage or on the side of the street. 

However, while the furniture may seem like a bargain, it is a good idea to inspect it thoroughly first to ensure that it is in sound condition. You don’t have to be a carpenter or builder to look for flaws and many can become obvious if you look. 

When inspecting second-hand furniture check that: 

• It’s structurally sound
• No components are missing
• Any upholstery used is clean 
• There isn’t any mould growing on it
• If it has lead paint (the paint can look cracked or wrinkled and feels chalky to the touch) 
• It’s free from wear

However, if you fall in love with a piece that looks tattered, all is not lost. Most types of furniture can be repaired or renovated so that they look good as new. Just be sure that the repairs that you make will be worth the cost.  

Ensuring your second hand furniture is a bargain

Just because it’s second hand, doesn’t mean that it’s automatically a bargain. To find a real deal, it is important to do some research: 

Know what the retail price is

Look up some retail stores and try to find the piece you’re looking to buy. The price listed on the site can give you a good idea of whether you’ve found a bargain. 

Oftentimes, you won’t be able to find exactly the same piece. Looking for similar items will usually reveal better results. If you are only saving a few dollars, then it may not be worth the while, especially if the item isn’t in tip-top condition to begin with.  

An example of a fantastic bargain might be a lounge setting that is 12 months old that would normally sell for $4,000, and you’ve only paid $1,500 for it. Generally, however, go in with the mindset that you will be saving around 30% on average.  There is also a lot of room for haggling with many secondhand furniture retailers or sources.

Check for any mould or lead paint 

Some items will have mould growing in them or they’ll be covered in lead paint. Both of these are health risks and may end up costing a lot of time or money to fix. 

If you find mould on your secondhand furniture, it’s best to deal with it as soon as possible. Ideally, it’s best to deal with it before you bring it into your house or it could spread to other furniture. 

Likewise, furniture with lead paint should not be left lying around the house. It can cause serious health problems if left in your spaces. If you suspect that your furniture has lead paint either pay a professional to remove the paint or do it yourself. 

If you do it yourself, make sure to take every precaution not to inhale any dust. Proper masks and equipment should be worn. 

Restoring and upcycling

Another aspect of secondhand furniture retailers are the restoring and upcycling markets. People buy pieces of furniture for cheap at op shops and then either restore it to its original condition or use it as a base to revive it with a new style. 

If you’ve always wanted a nice leather Chesterfield couch but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg, you might be able to find an old one cheap at a second-hand retailer. From there, you might have the skills to restore it yourself or you could pay a reupholsterer to fix it for a fraction of the cost. 

Likewise, if you find an old cabinet that you think would be great with a new coat of paint on it, you can upcycle it yourself or find someone to do it for you. 

Both the restoration and upcycling markets can be great options if you want something rustic or modern. You’ll often be able to get custom work done to make your secondhand furniture truly one of a kind. Be aware though, the more technical the work, the more it’s likely to cost.