10 Things New Homeowners Should Never Buy New

Statement Art

There’s no shortage of used quality prints and framed works in good condition for your home. Bailey notes that shoppers can find “unique, one-of-a-kind pieces at an accessible price,” plus it adds a layer of fun trying to find the right art for your space. Framed art tends to stay preserved and intact for longer, but if you don’t like the frame, that’s an easy thing to swap out.

Credenzas

McKenzie highlights wood furniture, like credenzas, as one of the best items you can buy used for your home. “They can be refinished and repaired easily,” she explains, which is worth the effort compared to cheaper materials like MDF or veneer that are used in a lot of new furniture today. These types of materials, while they can still look nice and may seem cost-effective, aren’t designed to last, and may require replacement quicker than something older made out of solid wood.

Tables

You can almost never go wrong with a used table, especially one that’s made of materials like wood, iron, or marble as these durable materials stay sturdy over time. When you’re shopping, “look for maker’s marks or stickers, [as] they can provide additional information about the brand, material, and origin,” Bailey notes. Tables are a fairly common item to find at any price point, but Bailey adds that if you’re looking for something in better condition or higher-quality, estate sales are the place to shop.

Coffee Table Books

Large, decorative books are one of the best items around the home you should buy used. As much as I love the coffee table book section in the home department at Bergdorf’s, paying over $100 for a tome you might not ever actually open seems trivial compared to a thrift store find in good condition for $25. And since there are books about virtually any topic in the world, you can find one that’s personal to you, or simply with a design that matches your style.

Chairs

Wood- and sometimes even metal-frame chairs are fairly reliable items to buy used. McKenzie says that her MR10 black leather and chrome dining chairs from the 1960s are her favorite pieces that she bought used on eBay. “I love that they’re simultaneously a statement and minimal – they transform any space, and add a bit of contrast to a simple wood dining table,” she says.

Vases

Vases are an item for your home that you should always buy used since there’s lots of variation in different styles at a range of prices, and antique ones tend to have more charm than something brand-new. Whether you prefer larger decorative pots or simple vases to show off fresh flower bouquets, they’re an easy item to find that helps bring in more of your personality and sense of style to your space.

Dressers

I’m in love with my ’80s Formica waterfall-edge dresser that I bought used on Facebook Marketplace—while I only acquired it in 2022, the thick, solid wood structure and drawers have stood the test of time (and survived two moves without a scratch) for over 40 years and counting since it was first made. Sites like 1stDibs and Chairish have high-quality, good-as-new vintage furniture, but I got lucky and found mine for less than a quarter of the price of a similar item on 1stDibs.

Mugs + Dishware

While there may not be as much of a cost benefit of buying mugs and other dishware used compared to new (depending on where you buy), there’s so much charm in antique ceramic designs that makes opting for a secondhand set worthwhile. My collection of ’70s floral print dishes and bowls came from a stoop sale, but there’s plenty of unique Fiestaware and Pyrex available at your local antique market, estate sale, or online at reasonable, retail-comparable prices.

Mirrors

Bailey’s favorite used piece in her home is an organic-shaped, handmade, vintage pinewood mirror. “Its large scale draws attention to the vertical space in our home and the pine has a beautiful grain and patina from its age and previous life,” she explains. Take extra caution to wrap and secure mirrors when transporting them to prevent any dings, scratches, or cracks.

Lamps

Instead of a cookie-cutter Ikea lamp, look for carved wood and metal lamps at your local thrift. The main thing to look out for when shopping for secondhand (particularly antique or vintage) lamps is the wiring, as old electrical wiring can be faulty or prone to fire—but you can always rewire it yourself or take it to a professional for a charming lighting fixture that’s as good as new.

About The Experts

• Sarah Bailey owns Alt Space Curated, a vintage store with an online storefront and booth at a local vintage mall. With a background in interior design, five years of experience selling vintage wares, and a lifetime of shopping secondhand, she brings a keen eye and deep passion to every piece she curates. Keep up with her latest finds, tips, and random musings at @altspace.curated.
• Kailee McKenzie is a designer, curator, and content creator with a love for vintage and secondhand interiors. She shares tips for finding high-quality furniture and decor from estate sales and other auctions on her social channels and Substack.

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