Renovating
Ask an Expert: The Secrets of Successful Second-hand Furniture Hunting
With so many reasons to buy second-hand, from the environmental to the aesthetic, don't let not knowing where to begin stop you
Buying furniture second-hand is the recycling of the design world. Second-hand pieces don’t use any more raw materials, they don’t require any more energy to be produced, they reduce the amount of waste and pollution, and they don’t require any additional packaging. On top of these ethical reasons, antiques and previously used pieces have that great sense of story and character.
While seasoned second-hand shoppers would probably be able to dish out this advice in their sleep, it can often be difficult to know where to start looking if you’re not in the habit of hunting. Four professionals very much in the know give their tips, tricks and advice to ease you on your way.
Professional advice from:
Chris Dyson of Chris Dyson Architects
Jasmine Orchard of Jasmine Orchard Styling
Bhavin Taylor of Bhavin Taylor Design
Adelle Robinson of H is for Home
While seasoned second-hand shoppers would probably be able to dish out this advice in their sleep, it can often be difficult to know where to start looking if you’re not in the habit of hunting. Four professionals very much in the know give their tips, tricks and advice to ease you on your way.
Professional advice from:
Chris Dyson of Chris Dyson Architects
Jasmine Orchard of Jasmine Orchard Styling
Bhavin Taylor of Bhavin Taylor Design
Adelle Robinson of H is for Home
See the item personally if you can
While buying online is extremely convenient, it’s much easier to hide any serious damage in a photograph than it is in person.
‘I like to be able to touch the item and check it’s in good condition, so I’m not too keen on buying from online resources unless they have an option for you to view it first hand,’ Bhavin says.
‘Condition is so important when buying second-hand,’ agrees Jasmine Orchard. ‘I usually prefer to see an item first.’
Of course, with more and more online resources, there might be a very reasonable returns policy or some form of quality control, so don’t rule it out entirely. And don’t forget to use the internet in other ways. ‘Google searches, blog recommendations and Twitter are all fantastic resources,’ says Adelle Robinson. ‘The internet is always my first port of call for inspiration and advice. There are huge numbers of helpful step-by-step videos and useful ideas,’ she adds.
Tour a Cotswolds home filled with antiques
While buying online is extremely convenient, it’s much easier to hide any serious damage in a photograph than it is in person.
‘I like to be able to touch the item and check it’s in good condition, so I’m not too keen on buying from online resources unless they have an option for you to view it first hand,’ Bhavin says.
‘Condition is so important when buying second-hand,’ agrees Jasmine Orchard. ‘I usually prefer to see an item first.’
Of course, with more and more online resources, there might be a very reasonable returns policy or some form of quality control, so don’t rule it out entirely. And don’t forget to use the internet in other ways. ‘Google searches, blog recommendations and Twitter are all fantastic resources,’ says Adelle Robinson. ‘The internet is always my first port of call for inspiration and advice. There are huge numbers of helpful step-by-step videos and useful ideas,’ she adds.
Tour a Cotswolds home filled with antiques
Get out of the centre
Of course this varies depending on the town, but sometimes furniture stores in the city centre can be more expensive than those slightly further out.
‘To find the best bargains, you need to head out of town to the bigger, warehouse-type second-hand furniture shops,’ Jasmine says. Car-boot sales are also an inspired place to look. ‘They’re my favourite source, and you can get the best bargains,’ she says.
Some antiques markets in city centres can be excellent resources if you’re looking for something really special, so don’t avoid them altogether. You might have to pay a little more, but if you’re careful, you can find some really great stuff and agree on a reasonable price. ‘I source most of my stuff at markets, and from eBay if it’s something specific,’ says Chris.
‘Sites like eBay can also lead to traders who have large quantities of other stock available,’ adds Adelle.
Of course this varies depending on the town, but sometimes furniture stores in the city centre can be more expensive than those slightly further out.
‘To find the best bargains, you need to head out of town to the bigger, warehouse-type second-hand furniture shops,’ Jasmine says. Car-boot sales are also an inspired place to look. ‘They’re my favourite source, and you can get the best bargains,’ she says.
Some antiques markets in city centres can be excellent resources if you’re looking for something really special, so don’t avoid them altogether. You might have to pay a little more, but if you’re careful, you can find some really great stuff and agree on a reasonable price. ‘I source most of my stuff at markets, and from eBay if it’s something specific,’ says Chris.
‘Sites like eBay can also lead to traders who have large quantities of other stock available,’ adds Adelle.
Know your measurements… all of them
This is an absolute must for multiple reasons. ‘There’s usually no returns policy when buying second-hand,’ Bhavin explains, ‘so if you buy a piece that’s the wrong size, it’s likely you’ll be stuck with it.’
Go armed with a measuring tape, a pen and an image of your room, so you can visualise how the new item might sit in it. ‘If I’m looking for a version of something I’ve seen, then I bring an image of that item with me to cross reference, so I don’t get sidetracked and end up buying something I didn’t actually come for,’ Jasmine says.
Don’t forget to measure your doorways and other access points. ‘There’s nothing worse than buying something and not being able to get it through the front door,’ Bhavin says. ‘A small torch can be useful, too,’ Adelle adds, ‘for looking into corners of warehouses where furniture is stacked high, or for closer inspection of individual pieces.’
This is an absolute must for multiple reasons. ‘There’s usually no returns policy when buying second-hand,’ Bhavin explains, ‘so if you buy a piece that’s the wrong size, it’s likely you’ll be stuck with it.’
Go armed with a measuring tape, a pen and an image of your room, so you can visualise how the new item might sit in it. ‘If I’m looking for a version of something I’ve seen, then I bring an image of that item with me to cross reference, so I don’t get sidetracked and end up buying something I didn’t actually come for,’ Jasmine says.
Don’t forget to measure your doorways and other access points. ‘There’s nothing worse than buying something and not being able to get it through the front door,’ Bhavin says. ‘A small torch can be useful, too,’ Adelle adds, ‘for looking into corners of warehouses where furniture is stacked high, or for closer inspection of individual pieces.’
Keep an open mind
When shopping for second-hand furniture and antiques, you can never be certain of what you’ll find on any given day. If you’re unwilling to compromise on the piece you want, you may never find it.
‘Go with an open mind and don’t look for anything too specific,’ Bhavin advises. ‘What you think you’re after and what you find may be worlds apart.’ You won’t always get something you had envisaged, and you may have to think creatively to find something that will work in your space.
If you start looking well in advance, you’ll have more choice. ‘It’s best to look for something that’s roughly what you’re after and you can always adapt it somehow,’ Jasmine adds.
‘I’d recommend plumping for the close second if you like it. It will satisfy the need and it might grow on you, too!’ Adelle says. ‘Then, if you come across the dream piece, you can snap it up and sell the first.’
When shopping for second-hand furniture and antiques, you can never be certain of what you’ll find on any given day. If you’re unwilling to compromise on the piece you want, you may never find it.
‘Go with an open mind and don’t look for anything too specific,’ Bhavin advises. ‘What you think you’re after and what you find may be worlds apart.’ You won’t always get something you had envisaged, and you may have to think creatively to find something that will work in your space.
If you start looking well in advance, you’ll have more choice. ‘It’s best to look for something that’s roughly what you’re after and you can always adapt it somehow,’ Jasmine adds.
‘I’d recommend plumping for the close second if you like it. It will satisfy the need and it might grow on you, too!’ Adelle says. ‘Then, if you come across the dream piece, you can snap it up and sell the first.’
Take plenty of cash and buy straight away
If you’re at a market or car-boot sale, the difference between a quick trip to the cash point and having it there in your wallet might be the difference between taking the item home or not. ‘If you’re going to find something in a market, you have to be prepared to take it straight away,’ Chris says. ‘It needs to be impulse and you need to have cash.’
‘There are so many antiques and retro furniture dealers out there now who scour these shops daily, so if you see something you like, be prepared to make the purchase quickly,’ Jasmine agrees.
‘While some shops might hold items for a couple of hours if you’re lucky, there’s a strong chance the item will be sold by the time you get back – particularly if it’s a good one,’ Bhavin says.
‘If you come across something you fall in love with, go for it!’ Adelle advises. ‘I have far too many tragic memories of returning to buy items that have been sold – the disappointment can be unbearable!’
If you’re at a market or car-boot sale, the difference between a quick trip to the cash point and having it there in your wallet might be the difference between taking the item home or not. ‘If you’re going to find something in a market, you have to be prepared to take it straight away,’ Chris says. ‘It needs to be impulse and you need to have cash.’
‘There are so many antiques and retro furniture dealers out there now who scour these shops daily, so if you see something you like, be prepared to make the purchase quickly,’ Jasmine agrees.
‘While some shops might hold items for a couple of hours if you’re lucky, there’s a strong chance the item will be sold by the time you get back – particularly if it’s a good one,’ Bhavin says.
‘If you come across something you fall in love with, go for it!’ Adelle advises. ‘I have far too many tragic memories of returning to buy items that have been sold – the disappointment can be unbearable!’
Don’t forget to barter
When you’re starting out, don’t be bewildered by the fact you don’t know how much something should cost. As with everything, you’ll develop this sense over time. If you have a smartphone to hand, Chris advises taking a few minutes to check online whether or not something is a reasonable price.
At most markets and car-boot sales, it’s acceptable to barter, and you should get a sense of whether or not it’s appropriate by observing others for a little while. Decide what you’re prepared to pay for an item before entering into negotiations, and try to stick to your guns. It’s amazing how quickly you can get caught up in the thrill of it and end up spending more than you would have liked.
‘Try to be reasonably strict with yourself: if you really need a chest of drawers, don’t spend all your money on chairs,’ says Adelle. ‘Having said that, if you see something you think is an absolute bargain, don’t leave it behind. You might even be able to sell it on for a profit.’
When you’re starting out, don’t be bewildered by the fact you don’t know how much something should cost. As with everything, you’ll develop this sense over time. If you have a smartphone to hand, Chris advises taking a few minutes to check online whether or not something is a reasonable price.
At most markets and car-boot sales, it’s acceptable to barter, and you should get a sense of whether or not it’s appropriate by observing others for a little while. Decide what you’re prepared to pay for an item before entering into negotiations, and try to stick to your guns. It’s amazing how quickly you can get caught up in the thrill of it and end up spending more than you would have liked.
‘Try to be reasonably strict with yourself: if you really need a chest of drawers, don’t spend all your money on chairs,’ says Adelle. ‘Having said that, if you see something you think is an absolute bargain, don’t leave it behind. You might even be able to sell it on for a profit.’
Watch out for costly upcycling
It’s a common mistake to assume that you can upcycle any old thing cheaply and effectively. A good rule of thumb is to only purchase items you know you’ll be able to restore on your own, or know how much it will cost to get it done professionally. Some restoration services, such as reupholstery, can be quite expensive, and the finished piece may end up costing a lot more than you had anticipated. ‘You have to use a bit of common sense,’ says Chris. ‘If you want to change it a lot, think about whether it’s worth the money it will take to restore it.’
‘Don’t get trapped into buying something because it’s cheap,’ Bhavin warns. ‘Not everything can be saved, so be careful that you can turn your vision into reality and don’t end up wasting money.’
‘If you’re buying with the intention of painting an item, then look at its finish,’ Jasmine advises. ‘Laminate, for instance, is really hard to paint over without lots of sanding or specialist paint that can be quite costly.’
Browse 10 upcycling projects
It’s a common mistake to assume that you can upcycle any old thing cheaply and effectively. A good rule of thumb is to only purchase items you know you’ll be able to restore on your own, or know how much it will cost to get it done professionally. Some restoration services, such as reupholstery, can be quite expensive, and the finished piece may end up costing a lot more than you had anticipated. ‘You have to use a bit of common sense,’ says Chris. ‘If you want to change it a lot, think about whether it’s worth the money it will take to restore it.’
‘Don’t get trapped into buying something because it’s cheap,’ Bhavin warns. ‘Not everything can be saved, so be careful that you can turn your vision into reality and don’t end up wasting money.’
‘If you’re buying with the intention of painting an item, then look at its finish,’ Jasmine advises. ‘Laminate, for instance, is really hard to paint over without lots of sanding or specialist paint that can be quite costly.’
Browse 10 upcycling projects
Be careful of smells and other irreparable damage
Woodworm and rotting wood are big no-nos. Also look out for damaged fabrics, although this might work with the style you’re going for.
‘Smell fabrics if you can,’ Bhavin says, as odours such as smoke tend to linger for a long time. ‘Upholstery can be replaced, but don’t forget that stuffings and fillings might be affected by the smells, too,’ Adelle warns.
‘If you’re buying seating, check it’s comfortable and that the filling is still good,’ Bhavin adds. Be aware that things like mattresses can harbour dust mites and other germs, so are best avoided.
‘Things like really bad water damage or burn marks on wood are tricky to get out without specialist knowledge and tools,’ Jasmine adds.
Woodworm and rotting wood are big no-nos. Also look out for damaged fabrics, although this might work with the style you’re going for.
‘Smell fabrics if you can,’ Bhavin says, as odours such as smoke tend to linger for a long time. ‘Upholstery can be replaced, but don’t forget that stuffings and fillings might be affected by the smells, too,’ Adelle warns.
‘If you’re buying seating, check it’s comfortable and that the filling is still good,’ Bhavin adds. Be aware that things like mattresses can harbour dust mites and other germs, so are best avoided.
‘Things like really bad water damage or burn marks on wood are tricky to get out without specialist knowledge and tools,’ Jasmine adds.
Have fun with it
As you do more and more second-hand shopping and antiques hunting, you’ll find you get better at scouring for the best buys and hidden gems. ‘You develop your sensibilities as you go along, and your nose for it gets much better,’ explains Chris. ‘Much of it is to do with experience,’ he adds, so the sooner you start, the faster you’ll improve.
‘The best thing about it all is that you start to develop relationships with sellers and vendors – they get to know you and you get to know them,’ Chris says. ‘Enjoy it – it’s the most pleasurable thing to do.’
TELL US…
Do you have a favourite piece that you found at a market or second-hand shop? We’d love to see a photo of it in the Comments below.
As you do more and more second-hand shopping and antiques hunting, you’ll find you get better at scouring for the best buys and hidden gems. ‘You develop your sensibilities as you go along, and your nose for it gets much better,’ explains Chris. ‘Much of it is to do with experience,’ he adds, so the sooner you start, the faster you’ll improve.
‘The best thing about it all is that you start to develop relationships with sellers and vendors – they get to know you and you get to know them,’ Chris says. ‘Enjoy it – it’s the most pleasurable thing to do.’
TELL US…
Do you have a favourite piece that you found at a market or second-hand shop? We’d love to see a photo of it in the Comments below.
If a shop looks as if there’s even a chance it might sell second-hand or antique furniture, it’s worth popping in to build up your repertoire.
‘Even if you’re not looking to purchase anything, it’s good to build up a list of places to go for when you do want to,’ Bhavin Taylor advises.
If you come across something you particularly like, it might be worth snapping it up, even if you weren’t planning on buying anything. Finds can be rare, and you’ll know if it’s special enough. ‘I often buy furniture even when I don’t know where it’s going to go,’ Chris Dyson says.