Buying Furniture at Estate Sales
Buying furniture at an estate sale is great fun, and we showcase plenty of beautiful and functional furniture at our estate sales throughout Puget Sound. So, whether you're looking to furnish your first apartment, or you need a statement piece for your forever home, we're here to share some tips for buying furniture at an estate sale.
Plan, Plan, Plan!
Having a rock-solid plan is the key to success when buying furniture. Before you head out, you need to make sure you've done the following:
Check out the Sale Ahead of Time: Before you head out with a list of addresses, check out the estate sale online. On our upcoming estate sale page, we feature photos and highlights for all our sales.
Measure: Bring a measuring tape with you, and make sure you know the dimensions of the space. It's easy to get caught up in the moment, but there's nothing more disappointing than a piece of furniture that's too big for the space.
Transportation: If you're planning on buying a couch, bed, or even a dresser, you will need a truck. So, make sure you have a vehicle big enough to get your new piece home safely.
Examine the Quality
Furniture at estate sales is likely solid and has stood the test of time, but you want to take the time to make sure the piece functions correctly. For example, if you're buying a dresser, you should test all the drawers to make sure they open and close easily. If they don't, assess the repairs that are needed. You might be able to repair it with minimal effort, but you want to be sure before you buy.
Compare Pricing
Buying furniture is a big purchase, and it's always a good idea to compare prices. It's harder with second had pieces, but you can quickly check for similar items online to make sure prices are competitive.
Take Action
Most estate sales will hold a piece that's paid for until the end of the day, but there's no telling what might happen to that piece of furniture as the sale progresses. We strongly encourage our buyers to be ready to take a piece home as soon as they pay for it.
Repurposing Furniture
We have seen so many creative ways to bring new life to old furniture. Whether it’s making an old door into a headboard or turning a bookcase into a ladder, we love seeing customers breathe new life into pieces that might otherwise be thrown away. If you’re looking to repurpose, take a look at a recent blog post that features some of our favorite ideas for repurposing items you find at an estate sale.
You never know what's waiting for you at your next estate sale. Be sure to check out our upcoming sales to see what beautiful pieces of furniture await.
