The Pros and Cons of Buying New or Used Furniture
Many people are faced with the decision of new or used furniture. This is a tough question because new furniture can be expensive and used furniture might not last very long. The key to making the right choice is understanding what you want out of your new or used furniture, and then deciding which option will provide the most benefits for you. In this article, we discuss some of the pros and cons of both new and used furniture so that you can make an informed decision about whether it's better to buy new or used pieces.
New Furniture
The Pros: New furniture can make you feel more comfortable in your home since new items are often associated with improved quality of life. Another pro for buying new items is that they don't have any wear-and-tear from previous owners, so their longevity should last longer than an old couch (for example). Plus if something goes wrong with a brand new piece of furniture there are always manufacturer warranties to help fix problems quickly.
There are also more options for customization with new furniture. You have more opportunities to find your dream sectional, or the right type of wood for your dining table. With used furniture, you're taking a gamble to see if you find anything you like and hopefully it fits into the vision you have for your home
The Cons: New furniture can be very expensive and you might not have the money to buy everything new that you want. Some furniture stores (like Couch Potatoes) offer financing to help you pay for pieces you couldn't otherwise afford, but even then maybe you aren't willing to pay. Used items can be more affordable and give the same look as new without breaking your budget of buying everything brand new.
And finally, some people just prefer older things over newer ones, so even though the initial cost might be higher their choice will eventually save them more money overall.
Used Furniture
The Pros: As we mentioned before, used furniture is usually cheaper than new items. Used furniture is also eco-friendly, with Americans alone contributing up to 12 million tons of discarded furniture, 80% which end up in landfills. Buying used furniture also provides new opportunities to find unique pieces that you wouldn't be able to get if buying new. Buying used can give your home a more individualized look and feel, as well as let you experiment with new styles that might not fit into the mold of what newer items offer.
The Cons: New furniture is generally better made than used ones, so even though they're less expensive used furniture's quality might not be as good when compared to new furniture. Another con for used furniture is that it might not last as long as new pieces, so if you're looking for something to last a while used furniture probably isn't the best option. There's also the possibility of getting bad luck with used furniture and ending up with something broken or stained.
What Should You Choose?
There are pros and cons to both new and used furniture. Buying new furniture can be a great way to improve the look and feel of your home, but it can also be expensive. Used furniture is cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but might not last as long as new pieces.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to buy new or used furniture comes down to what you value most in your purchase. If new furniture will give you a better life quality and you're willing to pay the price, then go for it! If used furniture is more your style and you're looking to save some money, then by all means go for that instead. No matter what you choose, make sure to do your research so that you know exactly what you're getting into.
Couch Potatoes has a nice selection of new furniture that doesn't sacrifice quality for affordability. Our roots were once founded in selling used furniture, so we understand a good bargain. We have locations in Central and South Austin, so come check us out if you'd like to fill your home with new furniture.
Written by Emily Holleran