My Best Second Hand Furniture Shopping Tips
This post is sponsored by York Habitat for Humanity
One thing I’m asked about all the time is how I find good vintage and used furniture. Shopping second hand for furniture is an affordable way to furnish your home that’s also very eco-friendly! I teamed up with the folks at York Habitat for Humanity to share my best second hand furniture shopping tips and a peek of the new ReStore at the Queensgate Town Center in York, PA which opens today!
Pssst: If you’re local, there’s a special offer just for you from the York Restore at the bottom of this post!
Most of the furniture and decor in our home is second hand or vintage. Over the years I’ve been buying used furniture, I’ve developed a few best practices for when I’m looking for something specific in person at a thrift store, consignment store or second hand shop.
Come prepared
Never go shopping for furniture without dimensions of the space you’re looking to fill and a tape measure! Snap a few photos of the room you’re shopping for before you leave — I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on the fence about a piece and just holding up a photo of the room next to it makes it immediately clear if it should be a yes or a no. Even better, spend a little time finding inspiration on Pinterest first, that way you know what shapes and finishes you are drawn to and it will be easier to narrow in on those while you are shopping.
Know signs of quality
There are a few hallmarks of quality construction when shopping for upholstered and wood furniture. I don't go out looking for high value antiques, although if I find them- great! I look for stylish, quality pieces that will actually get used, so here are the main 3 things I pay attention to:
Check for shop marks in common places, like inside drawers or on the bottom of a piece. If you find a name, do a quick Google Search on your phone to learn more.
"The Jiggle Test". Test out the construction of any piece by giving it a light jiggle. This works for wood and upholstered pieces, which have wood frames underneath the layers of fabric and cushioning. If a little movement makes the piece feel unstable, or if you can hear a lot of creaking and loose joints (called "racking"), I would probably pass on the item unless you want a project!
Pay attention to the details, like if the piece you are looking at has drawers check to see if they are dovetailed. They are usually the most visible joinery in a wood piece and are a sign of quality in construction. Look at a piece from every angle, open the doors, sit on it (if it's something you would sit on!), see how every part and feature functions to get a good idea of what condition it's in and if you would need to put any work into it.
Keep an open mind
I find I have the best luck when I have a picture in my head of what I’m looking for, but don’t get too hung up on things like fabric, finishes or even a little wear. Good bones are the most important thing to look for — meaning the size and shape of the piece and the overall quality. A coat of paint can do wonders to transform a nightstand or dresser. Thirsty wood can be revived with a nice coat of Danish oil or Restor-A-Finish. Replacing fabric on a dining chair is just about the easiest DIY reupholstery job. And if you can get a good deal on a really well-made vintage sofa or chair, paying to have it redone with a new fabric will likely still put you ahead of box store prices and the piece will be better quality than what you could afford new.
Consistency is key
The number one reason I have success with second hand furniture shopping is that I do it frequently! When I am specifically in the market to buy something, I shop the same couple of local shops, like Habitat for Humanity ReStore up to 3-4 times per month. In addition to that, I usually check online resources every day. Part of the fun is the thrill of the hunt! That makes it even more satisfying when you find that perfect piece for your home!
When you buy from the York Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 100% of the proceeds go towards building safe, modest and affordable housing right here in York. Through building homes and providing interest-free financing, York Habitat for Humanity provides a pathway to homeownership for families in need who may not qualify for a conventional mortgage. Click here to see photos and learn more about their current Chestnut Street Revitalization Project. In addition to their mission of increasing affordable housing opportunities in York County, with the opening of their new ReStore they are creating jobs and non-construction volunteer opportunities while also helping to reduce unnecessary waste by keeping usable furniture, appliances and building materials out of the landfill. York Habitat for Humanity relies on community support; every purchase, donation and volunteer makes a difference! Learn more about how you can get involved at yorkhabitat.org.
The new York Habitat for Humanity ReStore is hosting it’s grand opening TODAY, October 17th 2020 starting at 10:00am. It’s located in the Queensgate Towne Center at 2003 Springwood Road in York, PA — right next to my favorite thrift store, Community Aid! There will be doorbuster deals and giveaways going on all day. If you sign up for their ReStore Rewards program, you will get 5% of your purchase.
Show them this blog post and say Stevie sent you for an extra 5% off between now and November 14th! Combine this with a ReStore Rewards sign up and that’s a total of 10% off your purchase!
I was able to get a sneak peek of the store yesterday, while they were hard at work preparing for the grand opening! I’m sharing a video tour of the new ReStore on Instagram stories today - follow me @steviestorck to tune in!
If you like this post, check out my other posts on thrifting:
How to Furnish Your First Home WITHOUT Going into Debt
