Advice on buying second hand or ex-catalogue furniture

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi Everyone,

Wonder if any of you can give me some advice? I'm looking to update my sofa (much to the displeasure of my other half!) but trying to steer clear from the usual places like DFS in the hopes of finding something more unique.

Does anyone have any experience of buying ex-catalogue furniture or maybe buying second hand pieces? Have persuaded the husband to take me to a furniture sale by Cort (found them through their US site) in Surrey this Sunday www.cortfurniture.co.uk but interested in hearing if anyone else has had success before!

Comments (6)

PRO
JML Garden Rooms
9 years ago
Hi Nathalie,
In the UK ebay uk, gumtree, freecycle are good places to start. Depending on where you are based in the country, there are a second hand shops, local auction houses and charity shops galore.
You WILL have to sift through the rubbish to find what you want, but it is worth it when you find the hidden treasure.
Some things you may wish to upcycle. There would be no harm in finding out how much it would cost for someone local to re-upholster a couch, should you find the one of your dreams, but in the wrong colour/ condition. Some things will also need a dam good clean.
There really are some gems out there. I love second hand furniture, because it is cheaper, but also because it is more eco friendly and you can find items which are totally unique. An example which comes into my head is an old nursing armchair which I bought from a charity shop for £20. It was ripped and filthy. It looked like it had spent a few years in the garage. A proper clean (£30) and then paid £70 for someone to make slip on covers (so also machine washable) in a cracking tweed, that brings the whole room in together. So £120 of cash and 5/6 hours of my time in total. I saw a similar chair last weekend in a shop for £900. Might help you convince the OH too ! :)
Good Luck!
K @ JML Garden Rooms
PRO
Jaimie K Designs Ltd
9 years ago
Hi Cort will mostly be ex showhome furniture . I dont know if they still are quite pricey but you may find something. Maybe call and see if they will tell you if they have any sofas.That will be at their Chessington warehouse i expect. Have a look at made.com they have a good selection at very good prices. Laura ashley has 30% off. Friends I know have bought off ebay with success and I have been to auctions which are great fun as well as getting a bargain.Lots road Auction House is good if you are based in London. If not then google local ones. As JML says there are some great and unique bargains and finds out there. Good hunting
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headers13
9 years ago
My friend had an Ikea sofa that I loved the shape of but was discontinued. So I found one on ebay & then had it recovered & I love it.
marshy11
9 years ago
Not sure where you are in the country but try having a look at some of the furniture outlets. We've used John Lewis at Swindon outlet for a few things, saving 70%.
neotoma
9 years ago
Almost all our furniture is second hand (in fact right now everything except our mattresses, one sofa, and the spare bed frame - and the latter would have been second hand except we needed in a hurry for an unexpected guest). My go to is gumtree or local equivalent, but also a lot of charity shops have furniture warehouses nowadays. In my last UK house, I had an as new awesome massive 3 seater sofa for 70 quid because a local furniture shop had given the charity it's ex showroom stock.
stabmonkey
7 years ago
Sofas are very easy to get on freecycle and freegle. If a sofa does not have the correct fire label attached, which if it's vintage it won't, charity furniture stores won't take them.

Advice on buying second hand or ex-catalogue furniture

Comments (6)

JML Garden Rooms

Jaimie K Designs Ltd

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marshy11

neotoma

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