The furniture and decor items you should NEVER buy brand new – including picture frames, retro lamps and mid-century consoles
- The home stylists at Bed Threads have revealed items you shouldn’t buy new
- Furniture like upholstered chairs and mid-century consoles are best vintage
- Gilded mirrors, picture frames, wooden desks and wooden stools made the list
Home stylists have revealed the ten household items you should never buy brand new if you want to save money and the environment.
The team at Bed Threads have revealed scrolling through Facebook marketplace, drifting through second-hand stores and searching on Gumtree are the best ways to buy mirrors, cane furniture and retro lamps.
The experts said shoppers should never feel the need to buy things like picture frames, wooden stools, solid wood desks or ladderback chairs new.
Retro lamps and mid-century consoles, like those pictured, are best bought second hand
Ten popular pieces of furniture made it onto the ‘don’t buy new’ list released by the linen bedding company.
Mid-century consoles
In this case buying retro generally means buying original and quality.
There are many ‘new’ mid-century copies available from furniture stores but they lack the original quality in many cases.
Consoles are great because they can add instant elegance as a statement piece in any room, the experts said.
Cane or wicker furniture
Cane and wicker furniture can be picked up cheaply second hand. Because of its popularity in the 1970s there is a lot of it up for grabs. It can add the finishing touches to retro, beach-vibe and boho styled interiors.
Picture frames
Picture frames can be picked up easily at every second-hand store – online people sell complete sets if you prefer matching frames over an eclectic look. They can be picked up for as little as .50c at many stores and are generally made better than cheap, new frames.
Gilded mirrors
Statement mirrors can be very expensive to buy new – but op-shops are usually teeming with them. Though it can take time to find the right piece for your space it is usually worth it, cost wise.
Gilded mirrors are a great statement piece in any home and can be bought for a reasonable price from second hand stores
Retro lamps
Retro lamps are popular at the moment and the good news is you don’t have to op for a retro re-make to get the desired look in your home. These are also easily found in second hand stores and online market places.
Bar carts
A well-stocked bar cart is a must-have for people who frequently entertain at home. But the quaint feature doesn’t have to cost a fortune and often second-hand versions are perfect for the job.
Upholstered chairs
Vintage upholstered chairs are usually made from better base materials than newer versions, which makes them perfect for upcycling. You can simply cover the chairs with the fabric of your choice.
Upholstered chairs are also good to buy second hand because vintage models are often made with better base materials
Bar carts are becoming popular again – but they don’t have to break the bank and many reasonable options are available second hand
Wooden stools
Wooden stools can be picked up easily from seconds stores and on market place. They are usually solid and can be used for more than just seating. Many people use them as bedside tables and plant stands.
Solid wood desks
Solid wooden desks can be considered a big-ticket item but buying from a second-hand store – just make sure you check the drawers to make sure they work well and are mould-free before purchase.
Ladderback chairs
Ladderback chairs are the final piece of furniture on the list and according to the experts can date back to the 17th century. They said ‘it almost feels wrong buying them brand new’.
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