Buying Used Furniture

Buying used furniture is a great way to replace a worn piece, or update your look without emptying your savings.  I love the idea of something having a little history or time worn look to it, or taking a piece with good lines and good character,  and making it new and unique by refinishing or restyling.
Here are some things to look for based on my knowledge on what to look for before purchasing.

Construction:
One important thing to look for when purchasing a sofa or other upholstered piece is determining what the frame is made of.  Lower end furniture and most furniture sold at discount retailers feature this type of furniture with frames made of soft woods.  Like Pine.  It's almost impossible to tell by looking at it what the frame is made of, but there are a couple of tricks you can do that will give you a sure clue that the frame is a "cheaper" construction.
 

   1.  Sit on it.  If it creaks, or worse yet, pops, it more than likely is made of soft wood, and possibly stapled or glued together. It also may need some extra repairs or have cracks or breaks that could not be repaired.
     2.  Lift the sofa on the end by the arm.  Then shake it from side to side.  If the rest of the sofa waves after it, then it's a weaker frame.  The fact that it is light and that you can even lift it, if you are of a small size especially, is also a huge hint.
When dealing with case goods (dressers, end tables, dining room tables), check out the drawer construction and drawer glides and/or hardware.  Is it going to take more money to replace or make it operable?  Look for real wood and dovetail joints.

Support:
What are the cushions filled with and is it intact? If it's foam, is it in good shape with no mold or smell?  If they are wrapped with another material, like batting or polyester, this is a good sign that this is a good quality piece. Pass on it if it's filled with foam peanuts or filler.  If you are in love with the piece, cushions can easily be replaced but could get pricey depending on the size and depth you would need. 

What is the support system in the frame of the piece?   This would be the inner spring system that sits within the frame.  Look for an 8-way hand-tied spring system (hour glass shaped springs that are tied to the other springs 8 directions), or sinuis coil which is a flat "s" shaped spring that is stapled onto the front and rear of the frame.  Mesh straps- no thanks if it's a sofa.

bhg.com

Check underneath dining or occasional chairs to see how the joints are fit together.  Don't want any staples here again, bolts and glue are best.

Style:
Will it fit in your home?  Do you have a "vision" or plan if it needs to be refinished or restyled?  A good deal is not a good deal if it just doesn't work or the investment goes beyond your budget or means.  

Remember to use caution when purchasing used furniture for nurseries or children's rooms. You can check for safety guidelines and recalls at cpsc.gov.  All cribs with drop-sides are now illegal to sell and resell.  Just avoid purchasing used cribs all together unless you know the age and history of the crib.

Also check out tips from The Dealista,   and Wisebread, which both had some useful information for buying and refinishing used furnishings. Also Better Homes and Gardens online has some useful information on buying furniture to reupholster and how to pick the perfect fabric.
And if you missed my recent post on buying consignment furniture, read it here.