Tips for buying second-hand furniture in Dubai

The furniture in your home is one of the reasons you love your home. Furniture is an accessory that brings your rooms together and helps you enjoy the comforts of a comfortable lifestyle. Because it makes up a large part of our home, we often fail to replace furniture as often as we would like. Instead of saving up money for furniture, why not buy it second-hand furniture in Dubai or use it in another capacity? Check out these 10 tips that experience has taught us:

1. Try out the furniture before you buy it

Wherever you buy second-hand furniture in Dubai, try it out before exchanging money. Open drawers in cupboards, sit on chairs, and lean on tables. If an item has been damaged, you need to make sure that it is still in satisfactory condition to start using it in your home. Even if the item is damaged, make sure that you or someone else can repair it and pay the appropriate amount for it.

2. Trust Your Feelings When Buying second-hand furniture in Dubai

Furniture that has been in someone else's home may have the scent of previous owners. Take that into account when you buy furniture. Some odors may weed out, but others, such as the smell of pets or smoking, may not. Don't get carried away with a bargain and don't forget that this furniture will be part of your home and family for years to come.

3. Refinishing can save you money

Used and old furniture in Dubai can be made from quality construction elements and may need a 'facelift'. Like renovating an old house, furniture was made with the best materials and quality products many years ago. Instead of passing up an old Queen Ann chair in an antique shop, think about its potential and the money saved by not buying a brand-new piece of furniture.

4. Laminate and veneer furniture can be beautiful

Don't give up on veneer and laminate furniture just because it's not solid wood. Check that the veneer is not sticking to the chipboard or the base material to which it is attached. Depending on where you will be using the piece of furniture, laminated furniture can withstand more impact and daily wear and tear than wood furniture. Laminate can often be glued back on if it comes apart, but beware of items that have large areas that are not glued on.

5. Metal furniture makes good seconds

Wrought iron or aluminum furniture is beautiful when restored. When you find used metal furniture, think not about how it looks, but about its capabilities. Remove the rust and repaint with durable exterior powder paint specifically designed to coat metal furniture. You'll be surprised how a new coat of paint will breathe life into your new find.

6. Furniture 'needs assembling' can be unstable

Do-it-yourself furniture assembly is a good and economical alternative to buying expensive branded furniture. However, be careful about furniture that has been self-assembled when looking for second-hand furniture in Dubai. Often the furniture does not have all of its original parts or may not have the original construction as when it was first assembled.

7. Remember to refurbish old furniture for its new purpose

Want to take an old dresser and use it as a dressing table? This idea is one of the latest trends and is great, especially for antique and old furniture. Be sure to treat the wood or other material of the dresser with a water-resistant varnish. Refurbishing furniture is a great idea, but you don't want to ruin your "newfound" heirloom. (Read our blog post: "Ways to reuse old furniture").

8. Suggestions for disguising flaws in arts and crafts

Have you fallen in love with used furniture in Dubai, but it shows signs of wear and tear? How about adding wallpaper clippings as a form of decoupage to create a customized look? Glue the wallpaper on and then apply a clear sealer to the surface. The sealant will prevent the wallpaper from peeling off and will also prevent water rings and marks from appearing on the surface.

9. Drive a car big enough to haul away the furniture.

One of the biggest mistakes is not being prepared to take your furniture home. Many shops will hold your goods for a few days, while others will require that you pick up your furniture the same day. If you know you're going to buy a sofa, map out a few shops and yard sales and have a truck ready to take the furniture out. You wouldn't want to find something 'perfect' but then not be able to get it to your home.

10. Children's furniture may be recalled

Be careful when buying second-hand furniture in Dubai for children. It is often the case that the furniture has been recalled and the owner wanted to get rid of it. It is also important to remember that it may have been damaged and repaired, but not properly.