Secondhand Furniture

Interior-design expert Donna Babylon explains what to look for when purchasing secondhand furniture.

• Make friends with the manager or owner of the secondhand furniture store in which you shop. They are very aware of what comes in and out of the store and can keep an eye out for you for that special piece of furniture you've been looking for.

• Come prepared with a detailed floor plan of your home with all the appropriate measurements--window width, distance to corners, height of windows, etc. Also have a tape measure handy so that you can measure a piece of furniture on the spot to see if it fits your home.

Figure A

The secret to picking a good secondhand dresser is in the drawers. Look for dovetail joints, which are a sign of quality because of the interlocking fashion of the wood pieces. Look for automatic stops on the back of the drawer and tracks on the inside of the dresser (figure A).

Figure B

When buying wooden furniture, always look for damage (scratches, dings, etc.). Because it is secondhand, however, some minor imperfections are to be expected. Remember, it is up to you to judge how much the piece is worth to you vs. how much damage a piece has. Sometimes furniture damage looks scarier than it is. All that is needed in this case (figure B) is to sand the surface, then it needs to stained, varnished or painted.

If judging a piece is hard to do, obtain permission from the owner to wipe off a section of the piece with wax cleanser and a soft towel. If the wood grain is clearly visible, you probably have landed a nice piece of furniture.

Resources
More Splash Than Cash Decorating Ideas
by Donna Babylon
This book is an easy-to-read guide for tasteful decorating on a budget--perfect for anyone wanting to spruce up their home without breaking their wallet.
Windsor Oak Publishing, March 1999
Order this title from Amazon.com.


Guests
Donna Babylon
Author / Designer / Owner, Windsor Oak Publishing
Toll-free: 888-919-8227
Fax: 410-848-3293
E-mail: Donna@WindsorOak.com
Website: www.moresplashthancash.com
Also in this Episode

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-563
•	Dishwasher Use
•	Secondhand Furniture
•	Salt Sense
•	Smart Solution of the Day