Score secondhand treasures at a fraction of their original cost.
There’s something thrilling about thrifting furniture and stumbling upon a one-of-a-kind treasure.
It’s an easy way to incorporate unique pieces into your home and create a collected, lived-in look.
Credit: Dane Tashima
Plus, it’s a good way to shop sustainably andrepurpose items to give them new life.
And there’s the added bonus of thrifted furniture already being assembled.
Asvintage and secondhand decorbecomes more popular, so has thrift shopping.
Credit: David Tsay
Flea markets, thrift stores, and resale sites like Facebook Marketplace are filled with hidden gems.
However, it does take a bit of patience to comb through items to score amazing finds.
Make a Plan and Stay Focused
Always make a basic plan before you thrift for furniture.
Decide what you’re looking for and how much you want to spend.
With so many options, you might quickly forget what you originally came for.
If there is a specific item you’re shopping for, check that that you measure your space first.
Know When to Pass
Look for furniture that has good bones.
Consider whether you could easily and inexpensively repair it yourself or whether you would need to hire a professional.
Thrifting upholstered furniture can be tricky, as it’s often more difficult to spot potential problems.
Get the Best Deal
Not all thrift stores have negotiable prices, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
One of the best ways to figure out whether you’re getting a good deal is to look online.
Luckily, there are a few options to getting your piece into its new home.
you could rent the vehicle before shopping or after you find something.
Look on websites like Taskrabbit and Dolly for on-demand moving services.
Take note of any stains or cracks, and whether there’s any damage inside.
Check for any foul odors, especially when it comes to upholstery.
For upholstered pieces, remove any detachable pieces, such as seat cushions, and vacuum everything thoroughly.
If it needs a deeper clean, get it professionallysteam-cleaned to sanitizeit and remove any stains.
After you’ve cleaned your thrifted piece, inspect where it might need some TLC.
Small blemishes and scratches on wood can be an easy fix.
Try using a Tibet Almond Stick ($13,Amazon).
It will likely remove all the small scratches and nicks like magic.
For upholstered furniture, small rips might be able to be sewn back together.
If there are larger holes or stains, consider patching them with a piece of fabric.
Stitch the piece of fabric into place or use a bit of fabric glue to secure.
you might alsofollow this guide to reupholster furniturecompletely.
