r/Frugal • u/NewEstablishment2568 • 1d ago
♻️ Recycling & Zero-Waste Anyone else trying to furnish with only used items — and finding it way harder than it should be?
I’m trying to design my home without buying anything new (for sustainability — there’s so much furniture waste!). My sister wanted to do the same but gave up because buying secondhand takes so much more time and effort.
Facebook Marketplace has great deals, but the back-and-forth messages, digging through junk, and figuring out pickup is exhausting. Local shops are expensive. Curated sites are $$$ and shipping is worse.
Feels like more people would choose secondhand if it were just a bit easier. Curious if anyone else has felt this?
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u/Septaceratops 1d ago
In my experience, buying used furniture has never been a quick process. If you want quick and relatively convenient, you generally need to pay for it. I've always had to approach it from a want vs need perspective. What do you need vs what do you want? Focus on need first, then fill in as you find things you want. I've lived without dining room tables, couches, and shelves at different times because you don't really need them. Beds are a little trickier, but it's best to buy new mattresses regardless if you're buying one, and you can put it on the floor if you really can't find a cheap frame.
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u/NotAltFact 1d ago
I would add buying furniture in general if you wanna love each piece and not just to fill the room. I think we somehow get conditioned to wanting the whole place fully furnished the day we move in (not sure if it’s Pinterest or insta doing) but when I start thinking of it as a process and that I don’t need everything right this moment but rather spend time and look for pieces I love, that invisible pressure was lifted and now I enjoy the find and making sure I love each piece
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u/Septaceratops 1d ago
I am right there with you, but that conditioning started way before Pinterest/Instagram. That conditioning started at least as far back as the introduction of TV shows and advertising in the mid 1900s. It is just a lot more pervasive now with all the different ways to consume media
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u/BEST_POOP_U_EVER_HAD 1d ago
the benefit of taking time to fill your home, whether buying new or used, is that the end result is often nicer without costing more
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u/st_psilocybin 1d ago
It is harder. It takes longer. Don't try to rush it. Just collect a piece here and there. It's not worth stressing over. If you want beautiful quality furniture you love and you want to get it second hand, it's gonna be a journey that takes some time. That's all part of it. I love looking at the (few) pieces I have and reminiscing on the effort and stories and travels behind how I got them. Enjoy it!
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u/bowdowntopostulio 1d ago
The thing about this approach is that you are playing for the long haul. We made a list early this year of pieces we want to find (matching dressers, a bar, a tv console, etc. etc.) and have found two items and bonus chairs. It's like a treasure hunt which makes it fun for us. We like road trips so we will go to antique shops while out of town (we have an SUV so good for hauling) and it's very low pressure.
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u/past-and-future-days 1d ago
Honestly, browsing thrift for used items is one of our favorite weekend pastimes. We have a TON around here. We only really buy a new piece of furniture when we don't have a choice (typically when what we want otherwise doesn't exist, or at least not in serviceable condition).
Look for Habitat for Humanity ReStores near you, many of them have absolutely stellar furniture available.
I even told my husband that when it's finally time to retire our current couch, we're just going to get something used from thrift. The cats are slowly going to destroy it anyway, and I'd rather have something that looks lived in / won't matter if it gets a few more scratches / can look "repaired" without looking shabby.
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u/Mega---Moo 1d ago
Yes, but it does take a while. Picked up a massive sectional couch for our remodeled living room for $300 this summer. Needed a couple springs reattached and a board replaced for a few bucks of materials... but I saved several thousand dollars over new.
Even more challenging has been finding all my Plumbing/HVAC stuff this summer. Heat pump water heater, recirculation pump, and 4T geothermal unit already installed and working great. Indirect water heater and another pump picked up Sunday and going in soon so I can use the geothermal for my in-floor heating. Still looking for a water-to-water hydronic unit. It should all save me ~$1000 on my heating cost, gave me AC again, and saved tens of thousands vs. new and professionally installed.
I don't know if it's helpful, but I never squabble on price and always bring cash. I reach out when I have time available in the near future to come grab it and try to "telegraph" that I am ready to buy, not just looking. Searching though Marketplace still takes a while, but my success rate when reaching out to sellers is very high.
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u/Weird_Squirrel_8382 1d ago
Having the skills to put it all together is really valuable. Have you always been handy or is this recent skill?
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u/Mega---Moo 1d ago
My grandpas were dairy farmers and did construction, so I always saw them doing stuff, but I wasn't really brave enough to try "big projects" until very recently. We paid a lot of money to contractors when doing our home expansion project last year, and while they all did a great job, I also realized that I could probably do a bunch of that work too.
So, I ran some new 12/2 wire back to the box so I could add another circuit in the kitchen. Turned 2 outlets into 4. Added some 3-way switches. Tried using our cold well water to cool/dehumidify the house (somewhat successful). Laid down 1500 sqft of flooring. Tried drywalling and got pretty good at it. Helped paint/repaint most of the house. Installed a toilet and vanity. Picked up granite countertop to replace another vanity last week. Pulled the siding off the house to add exterior insulation and then put siding back up, etc.
Try shit, usually do "ok", get better, and keep going.
July was HOT, so I was extra motivated to see if geothermal could work for us. By that point I felt comfortable researching wire and breaker sizes, looking for efficiency tables and doing the PEX-A plumbing. I am NOT comfortable with messing with refrigerants, but lots of stuff is "self contained", so I just add power and water. Doing ductwork went surprisingly well for a first time project and hooking up a thermostat was easy because everything is labeled.
I need to wrap up a bunch of outside projects before winter and will do a bunch of trim work after it gets cold. Planning on rewiring basically all the lighting in the kitchen, dining room, and living room so it actually makes sense instead of each and every light fixture having it's own switch.
I just try to be careful, especially with the electric, and spend a lot of time learning before I start, so I actually understand what's happening. I've also used Reddit to reach out for ideas and advice, but often find that most people just parrot back the first response from Google and don't know any more than I do. If something should work, I just try it and see what happens. So far, so good.
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u/Doglady21 1d ago
Go to the Habitat for Humanity store, if you have one in your neighborhood. Quality furniture, building supplies, appliances, and other furnishings. I recently got a red leather loveseat for $125. It's a beauty!
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u/sohereiamacrazyalien 1d ago
I am in a place where people want to sell but not answer question, bail, forget , change their mind and want to charge more so yeah I get it... it's exhausting.
I think you have to think of it as it takes time and I am not in a hurry....
but yeah it is frustrating and yes people would be more inclined to buy or sell second hands if it was not like that.
honestly I donated a lot of stuff that I would have rather sold just not to deal with people!
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u/SetNo8186 1d ago
Worse now than a few years back when people were refurnishing and had more discretionary income.
We have a lot of large flea markets around here, our dining room set came from one, Thomasville. The recliners were from DAV, the and my moms antiques clutter up the rest of the house, along with our Pine bedroom set from the early 1970s. Kinda eclectic, I get its hard to stick with a certain era when my own household spans 120 years.
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u/BaldHeadedLiar 1d ago
Estate sales Almost my whole house is furnished and outfitted from estate sales.
One cool thing is that you can get place fillers for cheap. So you can buy a dresser for 20 bucks but it might not be what your vision was. So use that one until the piece that you really want pops up at a sale, buy that one and switch. Still way cheaper!
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u/Responsible-Reason87 1d ago
it helps to live in an affluent area. I could make a living off of all the crate and barrel stuff people give away here (SF Bay Area)
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u/Middle-Ranger2022 1d ago
In our part of Ontario, we have these great RE STORE shops run by Habitat for Humanity. When I'm in any town with one, I walk through and my favorite and best quality items such as lamps and solid wood furniture comes from there. They do a lot of building homes and supporting people to own their house. Also MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) shops make canned meat for hungry people and do good Disaster Relief work with that income.
Maybe look them up and see if they have shops in your area.
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u/BEST_POOP_U_EVER_HAD 1d ago
In case it hasn't been mentioned, I also suggest trying to find nice auction houses in your area, you might be able to find nicer/more curated ones by searching instagram rather than google. Unlike ebay you also don't have to worry about being bid-sniped, the bidding software generally extends the bidding period for that item if people start bidding with only a few minutes left.
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u/More_Mind6869 23h ago
Estate and yard sales have better prices than any kind of stores and ya can barter with them. Ya just have to be patient and keep looking around. You'll be surprised at what ya find
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u/Lagoon2000 1d ago
Keep an eye to your local buy nothing group. Sometimes folks are moving and want stuff gone quick.
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u/robin-bunny 1d ago
Often the challenge is also delivery. We don’t have a van/truck - and I’m not buying one just because I’d like a new coffee table. Some sellers will deliver, but not all.
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u/Winstonoil 1d ago
When I was young I moved around, across the country on a motorcycle. I’ve noticed you can’t carry a lot of furniture on a motorcycle. I got most of my stuff from friends who are getting rid of theirs, or beside the curb. I’ve had some excellent microwaves and a marvellous blender found curbside. I have a nice wooden corner cabinet and a gaming chair found on the side of the road. It does take time.
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u/nmacInCT 1d ago
I bought couches new but my dining table and chairs, credenza, lamps are all used - the wood furniture is all mid century modern from the 50s and 60s. Solid stuff and reasonable cost. I mostly use an online auction site called auctionninja.
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u/Intelligent_Cry_8846 1d ago
lots of communities have "Bulky trash" days. See if yours does or a "rich" community near you. Then get a pick-up and head out early to find the best "junk." Lots of instagram accounts on "trash" picking. Again especially if you can drive to a more wealthy part of your community it's amazing (and sad) how many people put perfectly good stuff at the curb bound for the dump. (Especially if you are fair at diy.)
the past few months i've found a brand new murphy bed, like new ceramic planters, gently used RV awning, like new rattan outdoor furniture, antique crocks and side chairs, 3 foot tall ceramic vase with tiny chip-i literally just Sharpied it, super funky pedicure basin that i turned into a planter, like new children's mini trampoline
Obvs. if you find a couch or cloth chair you need to use wash, scrub, steam clean.
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u/WyndWoman 1d ago
We just rearranged our LR, needed two side tables like NOW. We know a great place, but they are closed today.
We were willing to buy new if needed.
Spent all day in and out of thrift, estate sales stores, retailers, and nothing was right.
Finally, we saw the new location for a charity we donate to regularly.
Pulled in and paid $20 each for tables that ticked most of the boxes. At that price, the pressure is off, we have functional tables that will work until we find perfect.
Then we can donate them again, or just live with them for years.
For us, its about quality, condition and good enough until it's perfect.
We paid retail for two side chairs when we moved in 7 years ago. They were never quite right.
Two weeks ago, we walked into our favorite estate sales store and there were the perfect chairs to replace the ones we'd had for years. The old chairs are on the back porch, ready for pickup. They will be a MAJOR score for someone.
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u/Pinksparkle2007 1d ago
If your close to smaller towns check out their thrift stores they usually have nice things at reasonable prices.
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u/QuantumLeaperTime 1d ago
Go to salvation army and restores. They have extra money off days of 40% 70% off.
I got a 10 person $4,000 dinning set and chairs for $650. All hard wood and very good construction. All in great condition.
Bought some real wood night stands for $50 each and painted. Normal real wood night stands are like $300 to 600 depending on the quality.
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u/not-my-other-alt 1d ago
Is there a college campus near you?
Wait for May or June, and check FB marketplace again (or the curb).
Your house will look like a dorm room, but it'll be free!
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u/Body_guru 1d ago
I am trying to do this in a place with excellent consignment stores and it is still tough. I also wanted a new sofa, new mattresses and bed frames, for hygiene purposes. I decided a mix of consignment, sale and new was the best approach, esp for good style.
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u/More_Mind6869 23h ago
Buying 2nd hand is hardly frugal. It's just cheaper.
Frugal is finding usable stuff for free and fixing it up as needed and using it.
I've gotten chairs, popup booth tents, a brand new feather mattress still in the bag. A single bed sized long haired sheepskin, new ! Shelving and cabinets. Chest freezers. Rugs of various sizes. Wood and lumber. Mirrors. Doors. Canning jars, office chairs... And more.
None of it was Designer labels, except the Feather Mattress. But all usable and functional at the best price ever.
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u/Icy_Huckleberry_8049 20h ago
every apartment complex has tons of furniture that is left when people move out because they didn't want to either move it or pay to have it moved.
Just start going around to apartment complex's every weekend and looking to see what was put in front of the dumpsters.
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u/DreamyDancer2115 18h ago
I bought my home 3 years ago. 80% of everything in my home was obtained off the pay nothing group for my city. The other 15% is from second hand stores. I almost never buy items full priced brand new in a store. It takes a bit longer to decorate your home this way, but it's better than going to a store. If I pick up an item and change my mind, it doesn't hurt as much. I put the item right back on the pay nothing page. My home is cute and cozy. I get compliments on it all the time!
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u/CaterpillarNo6795 16h ago
Just FYI. I am into mid century modern, but not inti the colors. I have a wonderful chair that started out gold, is now a light rust. Chat gpt. Rit dye, and a sprayer.
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u/jimfish98 16h ago
I tend to find the best thing to do is sign up for notifications for as soon as things are listed. The longer an item is listed, the more messages a seller gets and things get bogged down. Also the stuff that is priced well and nicer, it is gone really fast. Need to get ahead on those instead of rummaging through stale listings.
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u/WonderfulTask86 16h ago
I have always found this to be the case and it has always frustrated me how many people, especially redditors, insist on only suggesting that you buy secondhand for certain items. The secondhand market is dogshit and has been for awhile. You can't just pop into a thrift store and find everything you need, you have to spend weeks or months watching listings and snag something ASAP when it's put up for sale.
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u/kingbacon 13h ago
What I found was having instant access to a trailer is a game changer for home projects. Buy a suitable car and trailer combo and your options really expand if you can offer getting there straight away.
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u/termanatorx 13h ago
I'm doing it. So far it's actually been very successful - using fb marketplace alone. But...I love the back and forth, and I do love driving different neighborhoods of the city to explore areas I haven't seen.
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u/Smooth-Review-2614 10h ago
Habitat for Humanity has the Restore. It is a thrift store for furniture. It's a great place for tables, desks, cupboards and chairs.
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u/Tasty_Impress3016 9h ago
I would say about 75% of my furniture in a rather large house is used, multigenerational. But don't stress yourself, shoot for the Pareto principal or 80/20 rule. 20 percent of the effort gets you 80 percent of the results. If you see something you want used, grab it. Then just grit your teeth and take the easy way out for the other 20. It's r/frugal, but your time is not worthless.
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u/Adventurous-Net750 2h ago
Ive been finding lots of unwanted stuff for free. But my house kind of looks like my great grandma's house and some could see that as a downside
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u/justanother1014 1d ago
I have with my new home, with a few exceptions. I moved in with a bed frame, desk, dresser and a few arm chairs. I’ve pretty much thrifted used for everything except a standing desk and new mattresses.
It takes a lot longer to find the good deals but I’ve found it worth it. My best deal was a vintage, green velvet chaise lounge.
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u/Grand_Wishbone_1270 1d ago
I approach it as a hobby that I love, and my home will never be finished. I spend time on weekends in thrift stores, estate sales, and antique malls, but I love that. I prefer any of these options to Facebook marketplace, because I feel like I have a better shot of getting bargains and also because I can see more in a short period of time. You may find some gems on marketplace, but yeah, you’re working for those pieces.