Furniture tips for shopping at Goodwill

If you are considering doing some furniture shopping at Goodwill here are some tips for a great shopping experience!

Check for Functionality – give furniture the wiggle test

Some pieces of furniture open, close, swivel and perform other functions and movements. Open and close drawers, cabinets, and check furniture otherwise to make sure nothing sticks and that it all works well. You might come across something that doesn’t lock properly. It’s worth taking the time to inspect everything. Otherwise, you might be dealing with this issue every time you try to open or close your furniture.

Some wobbly furniture can be fixed with some tightening of screws while other pieces of furniture need more work. Compared to the price of the piece, it might be worth it to have it professionally repaired if you are not up to the task. Harder types of wood, like oak, will hold up better in the long-run.

Buy Vintage
Scouting out vintage furniture to find something unique. You can start with vintage stuff as the focus of your space and then build the room around them. When shopping for vintage find things that you absolutely love.

Double-check dimensions
Bring a tape measure with you to shop so you can double check the size. Ask yourself how a piece will fit in the intended room, as well as how it will be transported there and if it will fit in your elevator/stairs/doorway, etc.

Travel outside your comfort zone
If you always visit your nearest Goodwill, try heading into a new neighborhood. You’ll be rewarded with a fresh selection of gently used furnishings, not to mention throw pillows and accessories you haven’t seen before. If you’re looking for something specific – for example an antique desk or a child’s bed – try visiting neighborhoods where there are lots of families with young kids.

Change the time you shop
If you always come in the morning try a different time of day. Goodwill puts out over 100,000 items in the stores every day so there is always something new. Goodwill relies on donations so new items can arrive at any time.

Think of Repurposing Old Furniture
You can make a table from a door, a bathroom vanity from a dresser or a planter from an old cradle. Think of what you need when you look around for second-hand furniture. You can make a truly unique piece of furniture for very little money. Check with your local Goodwill store frequently to find what you need. The weekly tag sales also apply for furniture as well.