By buying gently used furniture instead of new, you’ll not only save a great deal of money, but you can enjoy sharing the unique history behind each piece. Whether you’re looking at a decade-old sofa, or a century-old armoire, the history of the furniture in your home is part of what makes it so appealing. But with so many sources for used furniture, how do you sort through the good and the bad? Here are a few tips you can use to ensure your purchase is a worthwhile investment.
While most people are responsible and honest in selling their used belongings, there are those that will try to cover up flaws and imperfections to make a quick buck. That’s why it’s good to know what to look for to avoid buying something that is not only unstable, but dangerous.
Beware of recalled furniture – The safety of your family is of utmost importance. To ensure that the used furniture you are considering has not been recalled, research the piece online at websites like Recall Warnings, Keep Kids Healthy, and Recalls.gov. Regardless of price, purchasing a recalled item is simply not worth the risk.
Watch for signs of decay – Most used furniture will show some signs of wear and tear, and this, too, is part of what gives each piece character. However, signs of decay can include water damage, split wood, and structural damage caused by wood worm. Furniture that has any of these signs should be avoided.
Assess foul odors – Used furniture sometimes comes with odd scents. Sometimes, the odor is a bit funky from being stored in a basement or garage. Other times, the scent may be the lingering odor of cigarette or cigar smoke, or worse, body odor. Before buying a smelly piece, consider what you’ll have to do to remove the odor. Will baking soda and fresh air do the trick, or will it need to be recovered?
Is it safe? – Just because something isn’t included on a recall list, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safe to use. Examine the mechanics on recliners and sofas to ensure they are in good working order. Extendable tables, bed frames, and so on, should have all necessary screws and hinges in place and free of rust.
What lies beneath? – Used upholstered furniture should be thoroughly examined for signs of mold, mildew, pet dander, and other allergy triggers. Did we mention the threat of bed bugs? Bed bugs don’t just live in bed and bedding. These biting critters can enter your home by way of upholstered furniture that has been infested. Thus, it’s a good idea to have this type of used furniture professionally cleaned before bringing it inside the house.
One factor that is completely acceptable to overlook in used furniture is appearance. That hideous fabric can be replaced with a more attractive pattern or even recovered with an inexpensive slip. As long as you’re looking at a piece that is structurally sound, the fabric can be easily replaced.
More from Jennifer Wagner:
7 Tips for buying furniture for small spaces
Emergency first aid kit for stains
Quick fixes for wood floor damage
Source:
Personal knowledge and experience
http://recalls.justia.com/household-and-office/furniture-miscellaneous/1-10/
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/recalls/furniture/index.html
http://www.recalls.gov/cpsc.html
