Are You Buying Used Furniture? Here’s What You Need to Know

The interior of a house consists of many things where furniture is one of the most significant components that presents a balanced view and functional aspect of the space. All the shapes, heights, and volumes we see actually enable us to experience our houses.

Used or refurbished furniture brings advantages over new collections with cost-effectiveness being the top among them. But such conveniences don’t come without you knowing about the common material type used by furniture shops.

In this article, you’ll learn what are the factors to consider before paying for second-hand furniture.

1. Beware of Warping and Discolouration in Pine Pieces

Pine has always been a preferred choice, particularly for those who love country style or rustic interiors. Pine furniture can be shock-resistant and strong enough to last for years, but the soft wood may warp faster than one expects.

Unless you’re looking at a unique piece that was manufactured only a few years ago, chances are the furniture is not in a good condition. So, take a thorough look to see if the items got warped over time. Rock each of them to be sure that they’re levelled.

Pine gets yellow over time resulting from exposure to sunlight and moisture. A lighter color without any additional paint or a protective stain indicates that the furniture is well-kept.

If the pine has a yellowish hue or obvious signs of discoloration, it can be fixed by sanding and waxing. Applying protective stain on the wood helps protect it. Remember to ask your seller if they’re going to handle these steps properly!

2. Pay Attention to Common Issues in Wooden Furniture

If you have been to stores that sell used furniture, you might have noticed uneven and wobbly pieces, or the ones having loose parts or falling apart near their seams. Invisible pests, hidden damages, and degraded upholstery are some of the problems that barely catch our attention.

Be sure to look inside each cabinet and drawer to check for any mold or other unwanted pests. All the moving parts should work smoothly as you push or pull.

It is common that buyers neglect checking the joints of furniture as they might not consider the importance of dovetailed joints. Interlocked joints are crucial to the structural strength of your furniture. So, don’t forget to inspect the furniture in detailed, even the smallest screws or dowels that hold the wooden joints.

3. Be Careful About Refurbished Furniture with Stained glass

Stained glass as a piece of ornate decor has growth significant popularity among modern homes and office spaces in Singapore. Since you’re paying for used furniture, you should find out if the selected piece has the original stained glass or a replaced one.

For example, old cabinets may not have their original glass doors or parts and can be paired with painted glass instead of the stained ones. You should touch and feel the back of those glasses to better understand the quality.

Making an economic choice to purchase pre-owned furniture is not necessarily unwise as long as you keep the above tips in mind.

Second Look is dedicated to provide buyers with the best value for their money. We make sure that you don’t miss out on the comfort, luxury, and usability that pre-owned furniture offers. Visit us and have a look at our contemporary collections.

SEARCH PRODUCTS

Blog