Furnishing on a Budget? Why Cheap Furniture is Expensive

When furnishing a first home or a rental, many people need to budget accordingly and save costs where they can. Cuts then tend to come out of the furniture budget, with many people opting for lower-cost mass-produced items or “fast furniture”. There are many reasons why someone might buy fast furniture, like cost, accessibility, range of options, and the delivery time – all good reasons. The term fast furniture refers to furniture pieces that are cheaply & quickly built and therefore don’t stand wear-and-tear very well.  Fast furniture, like fast fashion, is also resource heavy and takes a significant toll on the environment, learn more in The Hidden Environmental Cost of Fast Furniture (and Why Consignment is the Answer). The cheaper the construction, material, and standards, the cheaper the brand can sell the item.  However, with so many options that are so affordable and readily available, how do you find furniture that lasts at a price that fits the budget?

Change Your Mindset

Instead of seeing furnishing your home like a cost, reframe it as an investment. Your home is your safe space and a place for family, friends, and other loved ones to live and connect. Your furniture needs to be able to work with your lifestyle instead of against it. If you’re looking to buy brand-new, you’ll need to stay away from furniture brands that are selling sofas for $400 – a piece like this won’t last. Sure you might be ‘saving’ money up-front but, it’ll cost you more in the long-run as you’ll have to continuously replace it. Investing in good quality the first time, while more pricey at first, means it won’t need to be replaced as often (if ever) and will still look good for years to come. Lastly, your furniture doesn’t have to match every other piece in the room, let alone in the house. Have fun in collecting pieces over time and finding ones that speak to you. Learn more about How to Mismatch Your Home Like an Interior Designer.

Below are some high-quality sofas:

Example: Montauk Scroll Loveseat, RH ‘Maxwell’ 2-Cushion Linen Sofa, and Lee Industries Down-Filled Sofa

Do Your Research

Go window shopping – either online or in-person – and figure out the pieces that you’re looking for, the style, the colours, the finishes, the feel, etc. Pinterest is always a great avenue for design inspiration and can help you figure out what you like, as well as design books and magazines. Be realistic about what will fit in your home for years to come and avoid buying something purely because it looks good in the showroom. Now is the time to learn a little about construction and materials so it’s easier to spot the true quality pieces. Do some research on brands that produce high-quality pieces, check their sale sections or keep an eye out for their pieces at thrift stores and consignment stores. Learn more about furniture brands with Coast Consignment’s Brand Cheat Sheet.

Below are some timeless classics:

Examples: Carmel Furniture Chaise Lounge, Stylus ‘Grove’ Swivel Chair, and Mid-Century Modern Tall Boy Dresser

Opt for Natural Materials and Fibers

Natural materials like wool, silk, stone, and real wood are more comfortable and durable than their synthetic counterparts and will stand up to the daily wear-and-tear. Prioritize furniture made from solid hardwoods like oak, walnut, or mahogany. Each wood has a different look and grain pattern to it, so take the time to figure out which wood you prefer and take your floor and paint colours into consideration if you can. Disclaimer – while natural materials may be more durable, they do still require maintenance and care.

Pieces made with solid wood:

Example: Bensen ‘Radii’ Dining Table, Vintage Natural Wood Carimate Bench, and Hardwood Live Edge Dining Table

Shop Secondhand

Often shopping secondhand ticks off multiple boxes at once: sustainable, budget-friendly, and higher quality. Buying secondhand opens the door to older pieces, which are often higher quality than many furniture pieces produced today. This practice keeps good items from entering the landfill by keeping it in circulation. You can find fantastic deals on Facebook Marketplace and flea markets, you can also try your luck at thrift stores too, however nowadays many don’t carry large pieces of furniture. If you find a quality piece that isn’t quite your style, it’s easy to ‘flip’ it by painting, refinishing, and reupholstering to make an old piece brand new.

The best one stop shop? Consignment. As a furniture consignment store, we carefully curate our inventory so our clients can be sure they’re getting amazing quality at amazing prices. Our stock rotates regularly, so there’s always something new and you can discover some one-of-a-kind pieces. You can always browse in-store or online for brands you’ve been looking for and that are known for producing high-quality pieces, or our Sale section for even deeper discounts.

Some vintage and antique pieces:

Example: Vintage Russell Woodard ‘Sculpture’ Spring Chair, Pair of Post-Modern Nesting Tables, and Antique Canadiana Pine Blanket Box

Check the Details

If you don’t want to buy secondhand, do some more research on what to check when buying new. When shopping for new online, brands will describe the materials and often the specifics of the construction on the product page. If there’s little to no information, that should already raise a red flag. Look for products described as handmade or handcrafted, high-grade materials, upholstery specifications, and factory location. If you’re eco-conscious, check for environmental certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or GREENGUARD on their products pages or ‘About Us’ page.

Handmade and high-quality pieces:

Example: Jeremy Cole ‘Flax’ Chandelier, BOCCI 28.37 Cluster Chandelier, and Vintage Hand-forged Twisted Iron Table Lamp

What are your thoughts on fast furniture? Do you have any cost-saving tips on furnishing your home? Share them in the comments down below!

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Learn more about fast furniture, how to avoid it, and what to look for instead:

• What is Fast Furniture and Why Not to Buy It?
• How to Avoid ‘Fast Furniture’ and Deck Out Your Home with Goods that will Last
• Buying a Sofa is One of the Biggest Financial Decisions You’ll Make in Your Home
• Spotting the Real Deal: A Guide to Evaluating Furniture Quality
• Building a Green Home: The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Furniture