Thrifted furniture? here’s how to make it work

Used furniture can be an affordable way to customize your home, apartment, or condo to your personal tastes. While many people tend to have their own reservations about used or thrifted furniture, not many of us have an unlimited budget to spend and buying second-hand can be a great solution. Moreover, thrifted furniture is an environmentally friendly option, as it saves on materials and there is plenty of option available with.

Sometimes it can be tough to see any use in an older desk or a loveseat that’s starting to see its years, but the beauty of thrifted furniture is that it only needs a little work to be looking new and fresh once more. Why not give it a second chance? Panda7 has some hot tips for homeowners, condo owners, and renters on how to revitalize their thrifted furniture and “make it work.”

Tip #1: Swap out the hardware

If that nightstand or old drawer is starting to look a little rusted, give it a fresh appearance by replacing the knobs and pulls with shiny new hardware. You can shop around for pulls and knobs that you prefer, but remember to first measure your existing mounting holes to ensure that the new piece you find will fit. For knobs in particular, you’ll need to measure the diameter to ensure it’s proportional. A small switch like this can make a world of difference.

Tip #2: Apply a fresh coat of paint

Wooden furniture can be revitalized with ease by applying a new coat of paint. First, you’ll want to remove any hardware and sand down the rough ends. Use a new coat of primer, then apply 2-3 coats of fresh paint to the colour of your choosing. Something as simple as painting over old furniture can totally change the appearance of the piece, and it can even make it fit better into the current “aesthetic” you have in your home. Moreover, it’s affordable to do.

Tip #3: Try reupholstering seat cushions

If you’ve thrifted an old chair or couch, consider reupholstering it. You can do this yourself, or you can seek out a third-party to do the job for you. Reupholstering is basically upholstering a piece of furniture with new materials, specifically new fabrics.

Tip #4: Restore rusted metal with steel wool

Rusted metal isn’t a great look, but you can easily revitalize old material by buffing its frame with steel wool. Sometimes chrome metal is easier buffed with aluminium foil. If the metal needs to be repainted following buffing, it’s a good idea to use higher quality metal paints. Metal frames that are in particularly poor shape can have their frames powder-coated. You can do this yourself or hire someone who is a professional in furniture restoration to do the job for you.

Tip #5: Revitalize old dressers and desks by sanding and staining

Busted dresser? Ancient looking desk? Not to worry. If you’ve recently thrifted or inherited a furniture piece that looks scuffed and scribbled-on beyond repair, it might be easy to assume it’s done for good. With a little love and a few helpful products, including a sander, sealant, and stain, wood can be revitalized and incorporated into your home with a unique, antique flair. Afterwards, you can upgrade any hardware that’s showing its years and add additional accessories.

Tip #6: Upcycle old office furniture

Old office furniture is good for more than just revitalizing a place of business – it can do wonders for your home as well! Consider going to an old office furniture store and check through some of the chairs, stands, desks, and more. These come at a low cost, can easily be refreshed to match your home, and can be great additions to your existing furniture array. Oftentimes, old office furniture will include a range of appliances that can really spruce up your current WFH situation, like hydraulic desks, ergonomic chairs, and stands that can be repurposed to support your television.

Tip #7: Keep an open mind

When shopping for thrifted furniture, it’s important to keep an open mind. You might be shopping with a goal or shopping for a specific look, but you never know what you might stumble across. You might be in the market for a new nightstand, but instead you find an interesting antique chesterfield that would go perfect at the end of your bed. Be ready to be flexible when shopping for thrifted furniture and let your creativity out to play. You’re never limited to the initial design vision you had for your home, apartment, or condo.

Thrifted furniture: Cost-friendly, customizable, and unique

While we all want the latest, greatest furniture collections, sometimes the most affordable option is to try thrifting furniture. Panda7 supports any initiative to making our lives “greener,” which includes the purchase and reuse of second-hand furniture. While some thrifted furniture takes some work to bring back to life, it’s worth it in the end! You’ll have saved a pretty penny while also doing your part to reduce your personal carbon footprint.

Happy thrifting!