Furniture saved? Here's how to make it work

Used furniture can be an affordable way to personalize your house, apartment, or condo to your taste. While many people tend to have reservations about secondhand or thrifted furniture, not many of us have an unlimited budget, and buying used can be a great solution. Furthermore, thrifted furniture is an eco-friendly option, as it saves on materials, and there are many options available.

Sometimes it can be hard to see any use for an old desk or loveseat that's starting to show its age, but the beauty of salvaged furniture is that it only needs a little work to look new and fresh once again. Why not give it a second chance? Panda7 offers practical advice for homeowners, condo owners, and renters on how to revitalize their salvaged furniture and make it work.

Tip #1: Replace the hardware

If that nightstand or old drawer is starting to look a bit rusty, give it a fresh look by replacing the knobs and pulls with shiny new hardware. You can shop around for your favorite handles and knobs, but remember to measure your existing mounting holes first to ensure the new piece you find will fit. For knobs in particular, you'll need to measure the diameter to make sure it's in proportion. A small switch like this can make a world of difference.

Tip #2: Apply a fresh coat of paint

Wooden furniture can be easily revitalized by applying a fresh coat of paint. First, you'll want to remove all the hardware and sand any rough edges. Use a fresh coat of primer, then apply two to three coats of fresh paint in your chosen color. Something as simple as painting old furniture can completely transform the look of a piece and even make it better match your home's current aesthetic. Plus, it's affordable.

Tip #3: Try covering the seat cushions

If you've saved an old chair or sofa, consider reupholstering it. You can do it yourself, or you can hire someone to do the work for you. Reupholstering essentially involves covering a piece of furniture with new materials, especially new fabrics.

Tip #4: Restore rusted metal with steel wool

Rusty metal isn't very attractive, but you can easily revitalize old metal by polishing the frame with steel wool. Sometimes it's easier to polish chrome-plated metal with aluminum foil. If the metal needs to be repainted after polishing, it's a good idea to use high-quality metallic paints. Metal frames in particularly poor condition can be powder-coated. You can do this yourself or hire a professional furniture restorer to do the job for you.

Tip #5: Revitalize old dresses and desks by sanding and staining

Broken dresser? Old desk? Don't worry. If you've recently saved up or inherited a piece of furniture that looks scratched and defaced beyond repair, it might be easy to assume it's beyond repair. With a little care and a few helpful products, including a sander, sealant, and stain, the wood can be revitalized and incorporated into your home with a unique, antique style. Then, you can upgrade any hardware that shows its age and add extra accessories.

Tip #6: Upgrade old office furniture

Old office furniture is good for more than just revitalizing a business space—it can do wonders for your home! Consider visiting a vintage office furniture store and browsing through some of the chairs, stands, desks, and more. These pieces come at a low cost, can easily be refreshed to match your home décor, and can be great additions to your existing furniture collection. Often, vintage office furniture includes a range of appliances that can really enhance your current work-from-home setup, such as hydraulic desks, ergonomic chairs, and brackets that can be repurposed to hold your television.

Tip #7: Keep an open mind

When shopping for bargain furniture, it's important to keep an open mind. You might be shopping with a specific goal in mind or for a particular look, but you never know what you might stumble upon. You could be in the market for a new nightstand, but instead you might find an interesting antique trunk that would look perfect at the foot of your bed. Be prepared to be flexible when shopping for bargain furniture and let your creativity flow. You're never limited to the initial design vision you had for your house, apartment, or condo.

Energy-efficient furniture: economical, customizable, and unique

While we all want the latest and greatest furniture collections, sometimes the most affordable option is to try thrifty furniture. Panda7 supports any initiative that aims to make our lives "greener," which includes buying and reusing secondhand furniture. While some salvaged furniture takes work to bring back to life, it's worth it in the end! You'll have saved a pretty penny while doing your part to reduce your personal carbon footprint.

Have a good trip!