Pre-loved homeware is fun to find, kinder for the environment – and can save you a small fortune. From carrying a measuring tape to discovering websites way beyond eBay, here is everything you need to know
There are few downsides to secondhand furniture and homeware, especially in a cost of living crisis. They keep things in use and out of landfill, while reducing the need for cheap and trend-led fast furniture, which doesn’t tend to last as long, devours precious resources and is often hard to recycle. In the UK, we discard 22m furniture items a year, according to a 2019 report by the North London Waste Authority, while demand for new furniture has risen. The home improvements rush at the start of the pandemic in 2020 saw the household goods market leap by 42%.
Well-chosen secondhand stuff looks better, too. “Adding vintage pieces can bring depth, history and a unique touch to any interior that cannot be replicated with mass-produced items,” says Siobhan Murphy, an interior designer who is a fan of maximalism. “They can also provide a contrast to modern elements, creating an eclectic and layered look.” As well as supporting small businesses, the local economy and charity shops, buying used furnishings can save you money, and even make you a profit when you sell them on. “These items have been around for decades, and with a bit of love and polish, they can go on for another 100 years,” says Estelle Bilson, a 70s enthusiast, vintage dealer, TV presenter and author of the forthcoming book 70s House: A bold homage to the most daring decade in design. As an added bonus, no self-assembly is required – not that there isn’t a place for Ikea, of which Bilson is a fan. “Vintage Ikea is very sought-after and ‘spendy’ right now, so it’s come full circle,” she says.
