We move around quite a bit (9 times in 6 years) and in doing so we've learned a few key things that have not only made us money each time we've moved, but allowed us variety and eliminated the eternal renters problem of figuring out how to fit your furniture into a new space. Our 5 money and space saving tips are after the jump...
5 Money & Space Saving Furniture Tips
Now there are two schools of thought when it comes to furniture buying. You can either purchase (typically inflated and expensive) pieces that you will have (or think you will) your entire life. This can be a tricky guessing game to play unless you're buying a classic piece that you are positive will retain it's value. Otherwise, most furniture is inflated enough, should you have to sell it, you will be lucky to get 40% back on your dollar.
The other school of thought is one that's a bit more free flowing and has the ability to switch things up each time you move. Instead of looking for a place that your furniture will fit into, or a place you can really see your pieces in, buy one that has architectural details you love or is a desired location and go from there. Craigslist, thrift stores, auctions and ebay become your best friend and the trick is to buy quality that will retain it's price value, or increase while you own it.
1. Purchase With Intent: Intent of what? Well it can be one of a few things. Intent to resell later, intent to refurbish and trade up down the road, or even with intent for a specific spot. Instead of attempting to make pieces fit in your new space, when they can sometimes feel awkward, purchase ones that are tailored to fit the space your in at the moment. It will not only create a better flow to your rooms, but it will free you up to find the perfect piece instead of one that kinda works for now.
2. Purchase Items That Will Have Return Value: It doesn't matter where you shop, it could be a high end designer boutique or the thrift store on the corner, the best purchases made are always those that will be able to resell down the line. Even if you never plan on selling it, we can't really tell what will happen down the road. In our years moving, we've made money on each move from reselling our furniture each time before we leave. We've bought pieces that needed resurfacing, refurbishing, reupholstering and repainting. It's amazing what you can down with a little bit of no how and the ability to act quickly on a great Craigslist find.
3. Buy Sturdy, Stable and Sound Pieces: Even the cutest sofa won't be cute anymore if the springs are sprung and the fabric is unable to be spot cleaned. It's ok to flip a piece over and check the joints and look up it's skirt (ooh la la) for breaks, fractures or obvious wear. This can be a great tip, even if it's awkward to do when you're out and about or at auctions or garage sales. Knowing your piece is built well will ensure it has life after your use to resell.
4. Read Up Before Buying New: The age of the internet is a fabulous time to be buying furniture. What did we ever do before we could read user comments about how an item truly looks once its arrived and unpackaged. Does the color really look the way it does on screen? Did it break easily for others? Were parts missing? Avoid the headache and read up on the pieces you are looking to buy new. Reading up on these comments can often times provide a more inexpensive alternative as well, so read close!
5. Photographic Quality Matters: When it comes time to resell your wares, photos make all the difference in the world. We've had people drive from out of state for some of our finds, but our pictures are always top of the line and show all sides of each piece and admit any and all flaws up front. List your items with tag words at the bottom of your listing so they are easily found by those who are only searching for key words and make sure to list alternative uses for those without the ability to think outside of the box. Do you have a printer stand? Could it be used for plants? Records? Let people know!
Do You Have A Tip To Add? How Often Do You Rotate Through Your Furniture?
(Image: Rachel's Repurposed Mid-Century Place )
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buy furniture with storage.
even though I no longer live in a VERY small space, the items I keep lugging around with me through the years have storage:dressers armoires, tables, you name it because you can never have enough closed storage
view ec05's profile
The most interesting thing about this post is that someone would -- presumably voluntarily -- move 9 times in 6 years !
view mirandabee's profile
Even though there are tons of options online for furniture, I would still prefer to be able to touch and feel before commiting.
Case in point - I loved a sofa from DWR by sight, but once I sat on it, it felt uncomfortable and I just couldn't see myself nor my husband lounging on it for long. Also - I love some of the options The Sofa Co. offers, but being that we are in NY and they are on the West Coast, we unfortunately wouldn't be able to purchase from them. We're saving up for a Jasper leather sectional instead (we want to charge, get the miles, then payoff instantly!).
Most importantly - I agree with quality vs. quantity. Our apartment is half empty because we want to save up and buy quality for each piece. Wouldn't want to buy something, then replace it a million times - in the end, it's more trouble than its worth.
http://www.donkeehouse.com
view bitdot's profile
mirandabee, I've moved 7 times in 7 years. and two of those times were cross-country! oy.
but I just got a fab apartment in chicago and I don't plan on packing up any time soon!
www.mylittleapartment.blogspot.com
view my little apartment's profile
bitdot...great point on trying before buying...this is a must for any chair or couch.
view ec05's profile
Based on my own experiences, I would add furniture that lends itself to modification and or use in multiple situations while still being well-made.
I like being able to look at a piece of furniture and say "You know, this would make a great bed-side table, but if I move or just want to redecorate, I could paint it and use it as an end-table in the living room."
view SonicPersephone's profile
We just moved into our first house out of college, and I'd edit one of these ideas. Being in a tiny southern college town (with a matching budget), we were very limited in what was available to us. I have a mixture of vintage, antique, & hand me down pieces I love (that hold their value!), but we do have a lot of ikea as well (when you can't find a better alternative- and yes, we looked- you gotta get something- can't set dishes on the ground!).
My edit would be that if for some reason you can't get something with resale value- get something that will have more value for YOU later on. Our Ikea dresser has been storage for the bedroom, dining room, and art studio. If those needs disappear- it'll be art room storage.
Multiple functionality can be a HUGE blessing- especially if your beloved dresser doesn't fit in your new bedroom!
http://cozylittlecave.blogspot.com
view CozyLittleCave's profile
I'm at 7 times in 5 years... all because of work. Thank goodness work pays for those moves. I've just signed a lease to stay put in my apartment for another year to actually have two years in a row in the same place. It happens!
Amen to multifunction. I have a hutch my dad built- it has been my entry way landing strip/scarves/mittens/tool box holder, a formal hutch, a storage piece, a kitchen shelf set, and now it's back to a hutch.
view Bee T.'s profile
My best advice in terms of acquiring furniture is to invest in the highest quality case goods (dressers, sideboards, desks) and dining tables/chairs that you can afford. Whether purchased new or used, look for solid pieces with classic lines that are made well. Solid wood, dovetailing, good joinery- these elements will stand the test of time and may be your largest investment in terms of furniture. If you can't afford great new pieces, then buy used.
Spend less on upholstered pieces. They wear out faster and can be more susceptible to trends. That said, a high quality sofa frame (solid wood construction, 8 way hand tied springs, classic shape) can be reupholstered and last for generations.
And having little to no budget is not an excuse to shop at pre-fab Scandinavian furniture stores. Though it may be tempting to run to big box stores to fill our need for a dresser or nightstand, having the patience to do the necessary searching for the correct quality piece within your budget will ultimately be a better investment.
view andrew1978's profile
1) make sure you measure! not just the piece you're buying and the space you're putting it into, but the door/staircase/elevator it has to fit through to get it in the home. this is crucial. nothing worse than finding something that would be so perfect, only to find out you can't get it in the home.
2) don't underestimate the value of a good paint/lacquer/fabric/wallpapering revamp to make an old piece like new!
3) keep your long term goals in mind. example-if buying a piece to last, and you're a couple now, but plan on having kids in years to come...maybe that white sofa is not the best idea
4) keep your own lifestyle and comfort level in mind. you may love and covet the look of say, a fainting couch or an emeco chair, but you could be the size of andre the giant, and have restless leg syndrome. so those little pieces of furniture may not work for you in real life. its okay to visit them online!!
view Kpaige13's profile
agree with previous posters to avoid particle board as much as possible. i learned with my last move that many moving companies will not ship (or not take any liability for) particleboard pieces because they cannot withstand the stress of moving.
there are a few pieces i hope will move with me until i find my forever home--all pieces that i've found used, but are solid wood.
i would never, however, buy used upholstered furniture from someone i don't know. bedbugs-ugh!
view sirene's profile
We are at 9 moves in the 12 years we have been together and I can relate to and agree with much of this advice. We have invested in some great, simple key pieces along the way and always find a use for some of the nicer Elfa exposed shelving, especially in a small space. It is nice to look around and see some familiar pieces in a new setting. We don't particularly enjoying moving but that is what we need to do right now.
view universal mod's profile
That turquoise mirror is great!
view MODERnestS's profile
Thanks! Found the mirror at a Habitat for Humanity warehouse and used two coats of acrylic paint from a craft store.
view racheloncegentry's profile
Never carry your wallet to Ikea or West Elm! :)
view ChrisGal's profile
Thank you for the great tips! Will come in handy when I furnish my condo soon :)
A constructive note to AT: you would do well to copy-edit or at least use spellcheck, on these posts a bit more closely. The typos are pretty simple but jarring:
-will retain it's price
-once its arrived
-fit the space your in
-a little bit of no how
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/tips/5-money-amp-space-saving-furniture-tips-093061
view SpiritofPlace's profile