Buying or Refurbishing Furniture - Which is Better?

Buying or Refurbishing Furniture - Which is Better?

After property and cars, furniture is one of the more expensive items most of us will own. In fact, in 2017, Brits spent more on furniture than all other types of household goods, but with the rising trend of recycling goods, is it better to buy new or refurbish what you’ve already got? Whether it's for your home, your office or your home office, get comfy and read through some of the pros and cons of each below to help you make your decision.

[ photo: pexels.com by pixabay]

Time

While a furniture refurb can be an exciting project to take on, doing it yourself will take longer than buying new, especially if you’ve never refurbished a piece of furniture before. Even if you take your piece to a professional, you could struggle if you need a replacement right away.

However, even if you’re buying new, you’ll still need to factor in delivery time, which can be substantial if it’s being shipped from abroad. If your item is being made to order, you’ll need to add even more time. A lot of new furniture also arrives unassembled, which you’ll need to consider if you’re buying in large volume.

Cost 

The significant cost is, for many of us, which makes buying furniture such a big decision. If you’re trying to keep an eye on your finances, buying a large piece of furniture can put you well over your budget. Buying refurbished furniture or paying for your furniture to be refurbished is significantly cheaper than buying new.

Plus, in a time where we are all supposed to be doing our bit for the environment, it makes perfect sense to try and reuse things where we can. Refurbishing not only saves the C02 emissions used in making new furniture, it also prevents an old piece of furniture being sent to landfill.

Quality

Perhaps the strongest appeal of new furniture is in its guarantee of quality. New items will be free from wear and tear, while most will come with a warranty to give you added peace of mind in your investment.

However, if you are hiring a professional to refurbish your furniture, they will most likely offer a guarantee for their work.

What are your priorities?    

Beyond time, cost and quality, there are a few other factors to consider, depending on what’s important to you. Refurbishing old furniture can help to retain items with sentimental value, while completing the repairs yourself can be a rewarding way to teach yourself new skills.

On the other hand, buying new items can allow you to usher in new styles. Or you may want something specific, like a bigger table or a reclining chair.

What’s it going to be? Ultimately, the right route for you will depend on how soon you need the furniture, the amount you’re willing to spend and how much you value what you already own.