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Used or New Furniture? Which Is Better For You?

Buying furniture for your home – but not sure whether to buy used furniture or brand new furniture? Both types of furniture can have their advantages. This guide delves into the benefits of both.

Used or New Furniture? Which Is Better For You?

When to choose used furniture

If you’ve moved into your first home and are looking for a quick and cheap furniture solution, it could be worth opting for used furniture. You can pick up used sofas, tables and shelving units at a fraction of the price of new furniture. Because such furniture items don’t need to be made to order, you can also pick them up straight away so that you’re not left waiting weeks without a sofa.

Opting for used furniture could also be a means of adding some history to your home. Anything over 100 years old is classified as antique furniture – while it can be pricier to buy, such furniture can add a lot of character to a home and may appreciate in value over time if you purchase pieces from antique furniture restorers, and then you keep it well-maintained . If you’ve got an old house, an antique dining table or antique bureau could be a way of paying tribute to the period of the building. If you’re buying furniture for a new build, antique furniture could still make for a nice contrast.

A drawback of used furniture is that you can’t always trust it will be in good condition. Usually, you can increase the chance of buying something in good condition by purchasing from a trusted seller such as a reputable second-hand store. If you do buy from a private seller, always inspect the condition thoroughly before buying. Be careful of buying furniture online to order from somewhere like eBay – you’ll have to rely on photographs, which may not always give you the best idea as to an item’s quality. Ask for information about the condition and ask for extra photographs if necessary. 

Used or New Furniture? Which Is Better For You? Someone with their feet propped up on light brown console table

When to choose new furniture

When buying brand new furniture, you don’t have to worry about it being damaged. Such furniture can be a better investment, as you’re likely to get more years of use out of it. Even if the furniture does break in the first year, you’ll usually be protected by a warranty.

Another perks of choosing new furniture is the option of customization. When you buy used furniture, you have to buy it as it is. New furniture is often made to order and you may be able to customize the color and the shape of it. This could include a custom corner sofa designed to fit snugly in your living room or a fitted wardrobe built to the dimensions of your bedroom. 

Brand new furniture tends to be more expensive than used furniture, so it’s important to shop around. There are sites like Living Cozy that can direct you to various high quality brands at low prices. Flat-pack furniture can be one of the cheapest options when it comes to new furniture and could save you money on delivery, however you need to be prepared to build it yourself. It’s worth also checking out furniture store sales to see what is discounted. Don’t forget to also take advantage of in-store installment plans in order to spread out the cost (some furniture stores may not charge interest, while others may do). 

If you want to shop full service, where you can find home décor, furniture, cookware and kitchen accessories, you can’t beat Bellingham Furniture Store.

Used or new?

Both used furniture and new furniture can clearly have their individual benefits. If you’re on a very tight budget or looking to add some history to your home, then used furniture is clearly the way to go. However, if you want the option to customize furniture and want it to be in good condition, new furniture is the better option. 

 

One thought on “Used or New Furniture? Which Is Better For You?

  • You bring up some great points. We have a used set that is really nice but we are tired of it because we have used it several years. We took the plunge last week and ordered all new L/R furniture when the income tax refund came. New area rug, seating, tables, lamps and all.

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