In today’s fast-paced world, convenience often trumps sustainability, especially when it comes to furnishing our homes. Fast furniture, known for its affordability and quick availability, has become a go-to for many. However, the secondhand alternative, while sometimes not as convenient, not only offers unique pieces with character, but it also helps to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable way of living.
Whether you want to call it hygge, bespoke interiors or eclecticism, fitting out a space that feels inviting and unique can be challenging if you don’t know where to look. This feels like sharing a secret family recipe…but we have a couple of tried-and-true staple resources to share with you!
Everywhere
For those seeking sustainable and unique furniture and decor, there really is no better way than going secondhand. Below is our list of our favorite sources that not only offer a wide selection but also offers delivery or lists pieces from people all over the country.
- Starting off with a sites that are great for any budget. Since it gives you access to individuals trying to rehome pieces, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for, or even find something you didn’t know you were looking for. AptDeco and Kaiyo, a great site for those like the thrill of the hunt. There is a negociating element to purchasing which evokes a garage sale…a garage sale where a third party gets a chunk of the sale, but it still works out well for everyone.
- If you’re feeling fancy, 1stDibs is a great place to look. More of a high-end secondhand retailer, there are still beautiful things and great deals to be found.
- Auction Ninja is 1stDibs more down-to-earth sister. Searchable for locations across the country, most items are previewable and biddable through the website.
- Olde Good Things is another excellent resource for more typical and hard to find second hand pieces. Furniture, lighting, doors, door knobs, hinges — you name it, the list is quite expansive. With locations in NYC, LA, and Scranton, PA, there are endless options for whatever you are looking for. And if you a resident near any of their stores or warehouses, they offer some shipping options too!
NYC
Whether you’re a New York City local looking to spruce up your space or a visitor in search of an especially hard to find souvenir, the city has a variety of home decor options. This is our must-visit spots and pages to follow to find the perfect piece that reflects your taste.
- Housing Works (@housingworks), our favorite nonprofit, with several locations all over New York, has a elegantly curated eclectic selection of cloths, books, houseware, and furniture. If you like this style of shop and want to extend the good doing even further than second hand, Housing Works, Salvation Army, and Goodwill are perfect for purchases that go towards respective charitable causes.
- Dobbin St (@dobbinstcoop) with locations in Brooklyn (Williamsburg + Greenpoint), is a Co-op that only accepts items actually made before the 1980s so you know you are really getting something special and not just a made to look “vintage” anything.
- Good Behavior, operating mostly through Instagram, boast some of the most reasonably price unique pieces. If you look at their profile, they post the available items, measurements, and price. If you see something you like, you message them to complete the purchase. They make it easy and have movers available for an extra charge or you can pick it up from their shop open on the weekends in Williamsburg. While this may seem odd, this low overhead structure allows them to keep their prices extremely affordable.
- If you find yourself in Carroll Gardens, Yesterdays News (@yesterdaysnewbk) is an absolute must. Their wider selection of secondhand items and more casual layout make leaving the empty handed a feat. It’s the exact place where you will stumble upon some of the finds.
- Seo Wade Wood (@seowadewood) restores and resells vintage furniture from Saugerties, New York. They stand out from the rest due to the operations be co-run by an experienced woodworker who not only breaths new life into the pieces, but will also customize it for you too!
- Humble House (@humblehousebrooklyn) is nestled at the edge of Downtown Brooklyn. If your mentality is “mid century or bust”, this will be a good place to look. They have vintage pieces from other periods as well, but if you take a look at their page or visit them in person, it isn’t hard to tell which style they lean towards the most.
We understand that buying vintage or secondhand furniture isn’t always practical or budget friendly. Sometimes, the most sensible option is an affordable desk that ships quickly and is easy to assemble in your space. Sometimes, there just isn’t a piece of secondhand furniture that fits your wants or needs. But when you’re able to, we hope you’ll consider sustainability and uniqueness that vintage and secondhand pieces offer. Our list is here to provide you with the options that fit your needs and values, whether that means choosing a new desk or exploring the world of pre-loved treasures.