Let's Go Shopping!

Hello everyone!! !! And thanks for joining to read the newest blog! Hope your all staying healthy and safe during this crazy time! ! Today I am gonna talk to you about what to look for when buying used furniture to upcycle!

Some people tend to shy away from used furniture because of the "what ifs."

What if this pattern won't work with my current decor can I make it into something that will work ? What if the previous owner "loved this piece of furniture a little too much will I be able to bring it back to life ? What if it takes a bit to much effort to get my end result ? Luckily, these "what ifs," can be resolved pretty quickly with just a little inspection. And the best part is, once you get past the "what ifs," you'll usually see the piece of furniture is a diamond in the rough and not only will it be a lower cost but a unique piece only you will have!

Keep these three handy tips in mind next time a piece of furniture catches your eye at your or your looking for you own project to refine and upcycle.....

1. Check for a brand name

The items you'll find at a resale shop are mostly gently used (maybe even some newer), and if you keep an eye out, you may even find items with the tags still attached which i always thought was crazy! The best thing to do when you find a piece of used furniture that catches your eye is to check for a brand name you recognize. If it bears the name of any well-known, high-quality brands, you've found yourself a treasure! Now I will be honest I am no furniture guru that knows the in and outs of brand but sometimes I will see names that ring a bell and I have heard of in passing ... those are the ones I inspect a little more! If you can't find a brand name or logo on the fear not! There are many other ways to make sure you've found a great item!

2. Look for quality indicators

The old saying, "You get what you pay for can sometimes (maybe not always ) hold true when looking for furniture . Understand and know that sometimes to get a well built quality piece you may spend a little more! and that is ok ! But gems can also be found at Resale shops or the facebook marketplace that are all very reasonably priced. Therefore, it's a good idea to check for signs of high-quality furniture as opposed to the number listed on the price tag. Some good indicators for items are dovetailed joints, solid wood, properly tucked upholstery, and a sturdy frame. Now sometimes these things can also be an easy fix so make sure you take your time to really look into the piece and brainstorm the potential it has. If you find even one of these qualities, it's a safe bet this piece of furniture has some potential!

3. Give it a test run

Potential is one thing, but remember, the chair you're eyeing may be the comfiest piece of furniture in existence, or worse than sitting on a pile of rocks. Take a seat and test it out before you get too excited. And, if you feel any sagging, be sure to check the supports and filling for any damage. Or as I have stated in a previous the wobble test and no I am not talking about the dance we all get giddy about silly! Take you hand and place it on the piece your eyeing up and wiggle it! Does it move around easily and feel very weak , if so this maybe a piece that you wanna pass up! If you find any defects, you may need to think about refurbishing the piece or look at it close to see if it would be an easy fix...sometimes all it is is a loose screw or just need more padding in the cushion! Don't forget everything has potential just all depends on how involved you want to get into an item!

Now It's time to go shopping! Go to your local antique or thrift stores and see if you can eye anything up! I love going there and flea-markets ...a lot of times I just go and walk around and see if something jumps out at me! but using these three key points listed about you will be sure to get a piece that will work great for your refurbishing project!!! Dont' forget to follow my Facebook page Rustic but Refined to see my many pre loved finds! maybe youll even get some fun new ideas!! Till next time !