There are many great benefits to buying home furnishings used. You can find excellent deals, score unique items no longer sold anywhere else, and more importantly, shop locally. Plus, you’re recycling through reuse, and in some cases, the money you pay benefits charity.
These are some of the best places you’ll find the decor you’re looking for in a secondary marketplace.
Secondary Marketplaces to Find Unique Furniture.
We made a list of five potential marketplaces for you to potentially find great pieces of furniture for even better deals. Keep in mind to practice safe delivery and pick-up when shopping on services like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace.
Facebook Marketplace is quite a bit younger than other services, but since it’s part of Facebook there’s no shortage of users. It provides a friendly interface for finding what you need and utilizes Facebook Messenger as a built-in chat feature. Feel free to ask sellers questions about listings or even negotiate a fair price.
Filtering by location is simple since your Facebook account may already have the city you’re in as a default. If not, you can search by city or zip code and adjust the radius you’re willing to travel when you collect an item. Facebook eliminates anonymity since each listing is tied to a profile, which helps both buyers and sellers feel more comfortable.
In case you’re unfamiliar with Nextdoor, it’s a hyper-localized social media platform for learning about things going on in your immediate vicinity. Each member must be address verified to ensure everyone indeed lives within the locale they claim.
Among many other things, Nextdoor includes a “For Sale & Free” section. Here you’ll find categories such as Automotive, Home decor, Neighbor services, and Tickets to name just a few. Listings include images and there’s a built-in chat feature for buyers and sellers.
Although it’s not your traditional marketplace, Caboodle is exclusive to Pittsburgh residents. It works like a “give an item, get an item” deal. Download the app on Google Play or the App Store and begin shopping for new treasures.
When you sign up for Caboodle, you’ll have 90 seconds to swipe through a variety of items. The first 90-second swipe session is free. Find something you like and it’ll be delivered to your address. But, it’s worth noting when you swipe past something, you can’t go back to it.
If you run out of time, you win whichever item you’re currently viewing. If you want to earn another swipe session, you must give an item of yours you no longer want or need. It’s a trade made simple and fun.
The Trading post is a central hub where you’ll take items to give away, and it’s conveniently located right in Shadyside. After you’ve parted with your item, the Caboodle team will select items of roughly equal value from their user pool, which is what you’ll swipe through in your next session.
It’s a novel idea right here in the neighborhood, so try it out! Plus, the more you use it the more it learns your interests and presents items more in line with your tastes.
A staple amongst thrifty shoppers, there’s always something new (but used) here. The Goodwill location on Centre Ave on the edge of Shadyside will have a myriad of things for your home.
This location is currently open, but you will need a mask while you browse and purchase. Goodwill varies in its furniture selection, so keep an eye out, and don’t hesitate when you find something you love!
This thrift store located in Shadyside will wow you with its inventory. It may not be as budget-friendly as some other secondary market outlets mentioned, but you’ll surely find furnishings you adore.
The folks here have a keen eye for style and they keep up with trends. Most of the inventory is used, but it’s all in top shape, so you may not even realize you’re not the first owner. They currently keep temporary hours on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. But, check their website for up to date info.
Steps to Deep Clean Used Furniture.
Now that you found a piece of furniture you love, it’s time to get it all shined up and new again! Secondary marketplace shopping can offer bargains and stylish pieces. As the saying goes one man’s trash is another’s treasure.
After you buy, it’s important to deep clean and disinfect the item before bringing it into your living space. Otherwise, you may end up bringing in unwanted odors, pet dander, bacteria, or pests.
First things first, the best time to pick up used furniture is on a clear, sunny day, that way you’ll have the opportunity to clean your new item outside. But the UV rays from the sun will also help kill any bacteria.
Of course, you can grab your vacuum cleaner and/or disinfectant wipes. But, if you want to get rid of any odors one great trick is using baking soda. For couches, upholstered chairs, or mattresses, The Spruce recommends sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda all over the furniture then let it sit for a few hours.
If you are out of disinfectant wipes, you can make your own disinfecting spray with common household ingredients. The Spruce offers a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water to do the trick. If you need to remove a stain, simply add mild dish soap to the vinegar and water solution. Be careful not to oversaturate the furniture though!
Now you’re all set. Give these secondary marketplaces a look and find something fit for your own style. Remember, it’s okay to exercise caution and sanitize the items you buy before bringing them into your place.
