The Money Muse

I recently bought a used piece of furniture for about $100. It’s a solid oak dresser, probably built in the 1930s. While it has a few scuffs that I plan to touch up with some furniture polish, otherwise, I imagine it looks almost exactly the same as it did when it was made nearly a hundred years ago.

I’ve been working on slowly replacing some IKEA furniture I bought when I moved into my first apartment after college. The dresser from IKEA that this new (used) dresser is replacing costs $130 today and is made entirely out of particleboard. The drawers started sagging years ago, and they were crooked as soon as I put the thing together. The few scratches on the top can’t be fixed with a little bit of polish; they can’t be fixed at all.

What I’ve learned from this experience is that buying quality doesn’t have to be expensive. In this case, it’s actually cheaper than the “junk” I bought before.

Tips for finding quality used furniture at a great price:

• Thrift it. Curated antique stores can be pricey, but thrift stores are a goldmine for affordable, high-quality furniture. If you’re open to meeting up with strangers, Facebook Marketplace often has amazing finds, too. You can also check out auction websites like LiveAuctioneers to see if there are any sales happening near you. The dresser I found recently was actually from a nearby auction house that I learned about through LiveAuctioneers.
• Set a realistic budget. When shopping for thrifted furniture, it’s important to set a budget that aligns with both your financial situation and your expectations. Thrifted furniture often comes at a fraction of the price of new pieces, and in many cases, you can find high-quality items for far less than you’d pay at big-box stores, but it’s still important to know what you’re willing to spend so you don’t go overboard.
• Know what you’re looking for. Before you start shopping, have a clear idea of what you’re looking for, whether it’s a solid wood dresser, a vintage chair, or a unique coffee table. I’ve been on the hunt for dressers for months now, so anytime I go into a thrift shop, that’s what I focus on and I can skip over everything else. This has saved me a lot of time and mental energy.
• Learn how to spot quality. When you’re browsing used furniture, it’s important to know what to look for. Solid wood furniture, for example, is generally much more durable than particleboard or MDF. Check the construction — dovetail joints, sturdy hinges, and solid backs are signs of quality craftsmanship. Don’t be afraid to inspect drawers, doors, and surfaces to see how they’ve held up over time.
• Consider restoring older pieces. If you find a piece of furniture that has some wear and tear, don’t be discouraged. Many vintage pieces just need a little love to look brand new. Simple repairs, like tightening screws, replacing knobs, or sanding and refinishing wood, can bring an old piece back to life.

Buying quality furniture doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. In fact, by shopping secondhand, checking out local auctions, or even refurbishing old pieces, you can save a lot of money while still adding beautiful, long-lasting furniture to your home. With a little patience and an eye for well-made furniture, you can find solid, unique pieces that are far superior – and often more affordable – than the mass-produced furniture that will fall apart after just a few years. Happy hunting!