Furnishing your first home can be overwhelming , not to mention expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. What if instead of spending a small fortune on brand-new furniture at big box stores, you curated and upcycled key furniture pieces to give your home a unique vibe for a fraction of the cost? Welcome to the world of upcycling, your solution to affordable, stylish furniture for your first home.
What is Upcycling?
Upcycling is the art of transforming old or discarded items into something new, useful, and often beautiful. It’s a fantastic way to save money, reduce waste, and add a personal touch to your home. When you upcycle furniture for your first home, you’re not just furnishing a house; you’re creating a unique, cozy space that truly feels like yours.
Why Upcycle Furniture for Your First Home?
Save Money
The most obvious reason to upcycle furniture is to save money. Buying new furniture can be expensive, especially when you’re already dealing with the costs of buying your first home. Upcycling allows you to create beautiful pieces at a fraction of the cost.
Personalize Your Space
Upcycling gives you the freedom to customize your furniture to match your style and the aesthetic of your home. You can choose the colors, finishes, and details that you love, creating pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind.
Environmentally Friendly
Upcycling is also a great way to reduce waste and be more environmentally friendly. By giving new life to old items, you’re keeping them out of landfills and reducing the demand for new products.
Ways to Upcycle
Upcycling furniture offers creative ways to breathe new life into old pieces, reducing waste. Techniques like painting, staining, and reupholstering allow for transformations that refresh the furniture’s appearance and showcase a personal style.
Best Furniture Pieces To Buy Used
After you assess your new space make a list of key pieces you will need to turn your first house into a home. These are the 5 pieces that we think make the best-upcycled pieces:
- Dressers: Dressers are a popular choice for upcycling due to their versatility. They can be painted, stained, or even repurposed into different types of furniture like a kitchen island or a bathroom vanity.
- Coffee Tables: Coffee tables can be easily upcycled with a fresh coat of paint or stain. Some people also add a glass top or mosaic tiles to give them a new look.
- Chairs: Chairs, especially wooden ones, are commonly upcycled. They can be reupholstered, painted, or even transformed into a completely different item, like a bedside table.
- Bookcases: Bookcases are great for upcycling because they offer a lot of space for creativity. They can be painted, wallpapered, or modified to serve a completely different purpose, such as a bar or a storage bench.
- Desks: Desks, particularly old wooden ones, are often upcycled. They can be refinished, painted, or modified to serve as a vanity or a kitchen island.
Savings of Upcycling vs Buying New
The cost of buying each furniture piece new could rack up quite the price tag. After an already expensive homebuying process, this is often too much for first-time buyers. Luckily there are significant savings to be had by buying used and upcycling key pieces in a home’s furnishings.
| Furniture Piece | Average Cost New | Average Cost Used | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dresser | $150 – $1000+ | $30 – $200 | $120 – $800 |
| Coffee Table | $50 – $500+ | $20 – $150 | $30 – $350 |
| Chair | $50 – $500+ | $10 – $100 | $40 – $400 |
| Bookcase | $50 – $500+ | $20 – $150 | $30 – $350 |
| Desk | $100 – $1000+ | $50 – $300 | $50 – $700 |
| Headboard | $50 – $1000+ | $25 – $200 | $25 – $800 |
| Total | $295 – $3400 |
How to Upcycle Furniture: A Step-by-Step Guide
So, how do you upcycle? Here are 4 simple steps:
STEP 1: Find Your Piece: Look for old furniture at garage sales, thrift stores, or even on the side of the road. Don’t worry about the color or finish – what’s important is the structure and potential of the piece.
STEP 2: Clean and Prep: Clean the piece thoroughly and make any necessary repairs. Sand it down if needed to prepare it for painting or staining.
STEP 3: Get Creative: This is where the fun begins! Paint, stain, or decoupage your piece. Add new hardware, upholstery, or other details to make it truly yours.
STEP 4: Protect Your Work: Once you’re happy with your creation, seal it with a clear coat to protect it from damage.
Great Places to Find Items To Upcycle
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a treasure trove of used furniture. It’s an online platform where people in your local area post items for sale, including a wide variety of furniture. You can find everything from antique dressers to modern coffee tables, often at very affordable prices. Plus, the platform is easy to use, with search and filter options to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Estate Sales
Estate sales are another excellent source of potential upcycle projects. These sales usually occur when someone is moving or has passed away and their belongings are being sold. You can find quality, well-loved furniture pieces at these sales, often at a fraction of the cost of buying new. Check your local newspaper or online listings for upcoming estate sales in your area.
Curbside
Don’t underestimate the power of a good curbside find! Many people put furniture out on the curb to be taken away as trash, especially during big item pickup days. This can be a gold mine for upcycles. Always be sure to check the condition of curbside items thoroughly, and remember – one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!
Upcycling Furniture for Your First Home
Q: I’m not very handy. Can I still upcycle furniture? A: Absolutely! Upcycling can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. There are plenty of easy projects for beginners, and you can learn as you go.
Q: Where can I find furniture to upcycle? A: Garage sales, thrift stores, and online marketplaces are great places to find old furniture. You can also ask friends and family if they have any items they’re looking to get rid of.
Q: What kind of paint should I use for upcycling furniture? A: It depends on the look you’re going for. Chalk paint gives a matte, vintage look and doesn’t require a primer, while latex paint is more durable and comes in a variety of finishes.
Your Upcycling Adventure
Now, we’d love to hear from you! What’s one piece of furniture you’d love to upcycle for your first home? Share your ideas in the comments below!
Ready to embark on your homeownership journey? Savvy Homebuyer is your comprehensive guide to homeownership follow for all things home.