Buying used furniture is a smart choice and surely is a therapeutic experience! It is undeniably an investment in your home, serving aesthetics while making it a great addition in your home. There are so many options in the market and it is notably an important skill to Spot High-Quality Used Furniture. We at Mardan Used Furniture bring you a detailed guideline so you can identify and Spot High-Quality Used Furniture and select stylish, sturdy and durable furniture according to your needs and budget.
When you purchase used furniture, it’s also better for the environment and lets you save some extra bucks. There is something exciting about finally spotting the perfect décor or coffee table which you won’t find at one of those big stores.
If you’re looking to find furniture for your living room then there’s just one problem. It is hard to Spot High-Quality Used Furniture without any tips and guidelines. Let’s jump-start our tips so you can check quickly if something is worth buying or not. Having a little knowledge about how to Spot High-Quality Used Furniture can save your precious time and efforts, allowing you to differentiate between a good catch and a flop.
Research Before You Shop:
The question remains, what to look for when buying used furniture? Not to worry. There are few steps that can save you initially before you shop. The first and foremost thing is not only just looking with your eyes, but examining how someone posts about their furniture can provide a lot more information than one thinks.
Before shopping, think for a long amount of time about what exactly you want which can create an impact in to your life and your space. Define its budget, size, color and everything that you’re particular of. Next is to examine what things are non negotiable for you such as material, size and budget. After that, start searching online and browse through already listed items.
These subliminal cues can save a great deal of time. Look how someone has posted, if the buyer has provided multiple photos with closeup shots, dimensions, materials and all the necessary information then its most likely a genuine piece. Another important tip would be to avoid plastics is they would be most likely of low quality. Avoid upholstered pieces as they may require additional repair.
What to Research?
- Check how the seller has posted images of the item, if it’s too detailed then it is mostly likely genuine. If someone has posted blurry pictures then you might not want to opt for it.
- If you’re at the site then check for cracks or loose joints. Signs of pests need to be clearly examined.
- Research about the material used such as wood, upholstery or metal to assess its quality.
- Avoid any peeling veneers and check cushions or fabric for any odor, buildup stains or tears.
- Identify the brand and search up online abouts its durability.
- Lastly, compare prices with similar items on multiple online stores for better clarity.
Examine the Material Quality:
When it comes to checking the quality of a material, the one thing that comes to mind is the material used. One can easily identify in seconds if the furniture is of high-quality or not. Wood is popular for its durability and sleek look, but its quality also differs by what type of wood is used. Buying second-hand furniture such as coffee table, dining table or bedroom furniture, make sure to check what kind of wood is used (solid wood, veneers or particleboard). Solid wood comes from a single piece of wood, often used for furniture, flooring and construction and is known for its durability and natural beauty.
Veneers on the other hand are thin slices of wood that are applied to a backer. Examining these details can ensure prolonged use and a better purchase. Check how wood furniture is made, if they have joinery, corner blocks in sofas and cabinets and screws and bolts. In the case of upholstery furniture, fabric and construction both matter. Check the fabric is its silk, linen, leather then it’s likely to be durable. Examine the frame under the sofa set if it’s made with durable wood, check springs for better comfort and lastly examine cushions.
Wood Furniture:
- Check the wood quality if it’s solid wood, veneers or particleboard.
- Identify how the furniture is constructed. High-quality wood furniture has strong and secure joints.
- Avoid furniture made from staples or glue.
- Examine for cracks, warping or slips.
- Gently place your hand over the piece to examine the smooth finish.
Upholstered Furniture:
- Check underneath the sofa set about how the frame is made. Avoid frames made with pine or particleboard.
- Examine the springs by sittings to ensure it is stable and comfortable.
- Inspect the material and choose durable and easy-to-maintain materials-including
- Linen, silk and leather.
- Check how the cushion is made, gently press it down to see if it retains its shape or not.
- Ensure cushions are zipped and firmly check inner material.
- Inspect for any unpleasant odor, stubborn stains and pests.
Inspect the Construction and Build:
How the furniture is constructed says a lot about its quality. When it comes to wood furniture, the first thing to inspect is from which wood the furniture is constructed including oak, birch, teak or maple as they deliver utmost durability. Check how the pieces are joined and avoid glue or nails. A clever move would be to shake the surface gently if it doesn’t wobble then you’re good to go. Check if the cabinet or coffee table has smooth finish from the front and the back.
When it comes to upholster furniture, ideally one should check for the wood frame used under the sofa set or resting chairs. Inspect the springs are S-Shaped springs which are tightly spaced springs offering good support and eight-way hand-tied springs are used in high-quality furniture mostly. Fabric used in the upholstery furniture is also important, durable and easy-to-maintain fabrics will be a smart purchase. Check cushions for any zippers and also inspect their inner material. Always check for unpleasant odor, stains and cracks.
Check for Signs of Wear and Tear:
As far as wood furniture is concerned, it’s quite easy to identify signs of wear and tear. Check for any scratches, dents, pests and fading colors. Shake the furniture to ensure legs are intact and no sound is made. Finishing is also vital to ensure high-quality, peeling or uneven sanding can provide an idea about wear and tear.
Upholstered furniture can be inspected by checking all the areas of the sofa set or chair for any odor, pest, stains and tears. Press the cushion to check if the material is of high-quality. Check for any loosen threads or broken springs, test the appearance and usage both for better judgment.
Also Read: Abu Dhabi’s Leading Used Furniture Store
What to Look For?
- Look for dents, scratches, pests and fading color due to over exposure under the sun in wood furniture.
- Shake the furniture gently to make sure there isn’t any wobbling or cracking sound.
- Also check the finishing of the furniture, peeling or uneven sanding are clear signs of wear and tear.
- Check the frame of Upholstered furniture under the sofa set or chairs.
- Inspect for any unpleasant odor, stains, pests or fading colors.
- Gently shake the sofa set to ensure it is intact.
- Inspect the springs used and check if they are comfortable.
- Examine the cushions, their inner material and ensure the fabric used is durable and easy-to-maintain.
Look for Brand Labels and Maker’s Marks:
Another Tips for Buying Used Furniture is to look for brand labels and maker’s marks, they are usually under the cabinets, underneath the cabinets or behind them. Check thoroughly for the label or mark as it is one of the most time-effective methods to know about the quality of the furniture. High-quality furniture will most likely have brand labels or maker’s marks, helping you to avoid counterfeit or knock-off items easily.
All you need to search up online and you will be presented with reviews and information about their durability and resale price as well. Checking for brand labels and maker’s mark also allows you to find accurate maintenance tips and if replacement of parts is available or not. For upholstered furniture check under the seat cushions, on the frame or fabric tags.
Consider Refinishing or Repairing:
When considering buying used furniture, there are high chances that some kind of refinishing or repairing is required. And that’s completely fine if the piece serves its purpose, aesthetic and is on a great deal, putting some extra effort can enhance its appearance and durability-that’s for sure. If any furniture requires sanding, painting, varnish or restaining then you can do that easily. Loose joints can be repaired with the help of glue and clamps while small cracks can be filled with wood filler within no time.
All you need is to grab some necessary tools and your creative mind. Peeling veneers can easily be glued back on their plate. For upholstered furniture, stains can be cleaned with DIY cleaning solutions or fabric-safe cleaners. Minor tears and rips can be easily sewn if the frame is of high-quality. Flattened cushions require foam replacement.
Fixable Issues:
- When minor sanding, painting, varnish or restaining is required, it’s fixable within a short span of time.
- With the help of glue and clamps, loose joints can be repaired.
- Peeling veneers can be glued easily.
- Stains on upholstered furniture can be removed with DIY cleaning solution and fabric-safe cleaner.
- Minor tears and rips can be sewn easily.
- Flattened cushions only require foam replacement.
Test Comfort and Functionality:
Buying high-quality used furniture is one thing and checking how comfortable and functional the piece is also crucial. Testing upholstery furniture is quite easy per say. Gently sit on the sofa set to check if it’s comfortable and provides support. Gently press the cushion down to check if they are flattened or they regain their shape instantly. Lean on the sofa and gently press the armest to ensure its stability.
For wood furniture like tables and desks, gently shake them to ensure there isn’t any wobbling or creak noise. Place your hand on the surface to ensure smooth finishing. Open cabinets to make sure they are intact and there aren’t any loose joints. Bring a measuring tape with you to check if the furniture will seamlessly fit into your space.
Also Read: Best Place to Buy Used Furniture Items in Abu Dhabi
Negotiate the Price:
An important tip for you is to check prices online and do your homework! It will definitely do you good in comparing different online marketplaces like Facebook,eBay and Mardan Used Furniture. Evaluate the condition of the furniture and then negotiate with the quoted price. A smart move is to offer 20 percent less than the quoted price under your budget as it gives room for renegotiation. Be open to furniture who justify the price asked. You can also ask for a discount if you’re planning to buy more than one thing.
Be respectful and bargain while keeping in mind your budget, your need for the furniture and the condition of the furniture. Be reasonable and highlight the flaws to buy the used furniture at a negotiated price. Make your mind to walk away if the seller isn’t negotiating-that’s the best you can do!
Tips for Negotiation:
- Homework first. Search about the furniture you’re planning to buy on multiple online platforms.
- Evaluate the condition before negotiating.
- Offer your negotiated price 20 percent less than the quoted price.
- Be respectful and reasonable.
- Be open to furniture that justify their price and don’t require any further negotiation.
- Highlight the flaws of the furniture or ask for a discount if you’re planning to buy more than one.
- Walk away if the price is out of your budget or the seller isn’t ready to negotiate.
Buy from Reputable Sellers:
Buying used furniture can be exhausting and many people easily fall into traps. It is very important to buy from reputable sellers to ensure a positive experience. They are trustworthy and you can shop with complete information about the product by looking at their history, picture and condition. They reduce the chances of counterfeit pieces. Reputable sellers won’t have low quality furniture as they always inspect and check the furniture before selling.
Reputable sellers also repair minor issues and quote prices that justify the furniture being sold. Deliver your furniture at your doorstep with better customer service. Making buying used furniture relaxing and therapeutic instead of a daunting task.
Plan for Transportation
When buying used furniture, it is important to ask for transportation. Reputable sellers offer same day delivery and also ensure the furniture is delivered to you in proper condition. If any seller will transport the furniture to you then ask for the price they will charge, if it’s too high then you can arrange your own if you can. It is wise to shop from trustworthy places that can deliver it at your doorstep.
Conclusion:
When purchasing high-quality used furniture, one problem remains-how to find high quality used furniture. We are here to solve that, with our detailed blog about how you can smartly spot high-quality furniture, and can surely save your precious time and effort. Spotting high-quality furniture just requires some preps before actually shopping and checking onsite for better assessments, it ensures you don’t take home a defaulted piece that requires a lot of repairing and maintenance. Follow our tips to buy worth your money while revamping your space with aesthetic and trendy furniture!
