Discovering Consignment Furniture Gems: Tips for Finding Unique Pieces

If you're an interior design enthusiast, you know that finding unique, high-quality furniture can transform your home. Consignment shops are a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that can add character and charm to any space, and they just so happen to be one of our favorite places to shop! As we are embracing the new year, we want to continue making consignment a core component in how we create unique and memorable space for our clients! Here’s how to uncover these gems and breathe new life into your home.

Tip 1: Frequent Your Favorite Local Shops

Consignment shop inventories turn over quickly, so visiting your favorite local shops regularly is key to finding the best pieces. Make it a habit to stop by once a week or more if you can. You never know when a hidden gem will appear, and being a frequent visitor increases your chances of snagging the perfect piece before someone else does. It also helps to get to know the staff, sometimes they will keep an eye out for a special piece that might be on your list and let you know if something turns up in the shop. We sometimes pickup items early on in a project if it can inspire our direction or scoop up great items with plans to find ways to layer them into future projects when they are just too great to pass on.

Tip 2: Keep an Open Mind

When shopping at consignment stores, flexibility is your best friend. Try not to limit yourself to a strict list of items you’re looking for. Instead, stay open to different styles, shapes, and materials. You might find an unexpected piece that fits perfectly with your existing décor or inspires a new design direction for a room. Nothing is better than finding that perfect something you never new you needed!

Tip 3: See the Potential, Not Just the Present

One of the biggest advantages of consignment shopping is the potential to reinvent pieces. A tired-looking chair can become a stunning focal point with a fresh coat of paint or new upholstery. Look beyond the current state of an item and imagine what it could become with a little creativity and effort.
- Painting: A new color can completely transform a piece of furniture. Whether it's a bold statement color or a subtle, elegant shade, paint can breathe new life into old furniture.
- Reupholstering: Fabrics can make a world of difference. Consider reupholstering chairs, sofas, and even headboards with modern, durable fabrics that match your décor.
- Repurposing: Think outside the box. An old dresser might make an excellent media console or bathroom vanity. A vintage door could become a unique headboard or dining table top. Seeing the potential for repurposing can help you find truly unique items that add character to your home.

Tip 4: Check for Quality and Craftsmanship

While hunting for consignment gems, always check for the quality and craftsmanship of the pieces. Solid wood construction, dovetail joints, and sturdy frames are signs of well-made furniture that can stand the test of time. These pieces are often worth the investment of refinishing or refurbishing, as they tend to be more durable and long-lasting than many new, mass-produced items.

Tip 5: Ask About the History

One of the joys of consignment shopping is discovering the history behind each piece. Don’t hesitate to ask the shop owner or staff about the background of an item. Knowing a piece’s story can add sentimental value and make it even more special. They might not have any insight, or they might just have a great story to share!

Tip 6: Measure and Plan Ahead

Before you head out on your consignment treasure hunt, measure the spaces in your home where you might want to add furniture. Bring a tape measure and a list of dimensions with you to ensure that any potential finds will fit perfectly in your space. Planning ahead helps you avoid impulse buys that might not work in your home. This is a big one! Most vintage and antique shops do not accept returns, you are likely investing in delivery fees, and you want to make sure a new items will be the right scale for your space.

Tip 7: Be Patient and Persistent

Finding the perfect piece takes time. Be patient and persistent in your search. The thrill of consignment shopping is in the hunt, and the reward is finding those unique, high-quality pieces that you won’t see in every other home. But when you see it, buy it! Chances are it will not be there on your next visit.

Tip 8: Enjoy the Process

Finally, enjoy the process of finding and transforming consignment furniture. It’s a creative and fulfilling way to personalize your home. Each piece you discover and reinvent tells a story and adds a unique touch to your space. By following these tips, you can become a savvy consignment shopper, uncovering furniture gems that bring style, character, and a personal touch to your home.
Finally, we’ve shared photos from one of our most memorable design projects to date. The clients wanted us to source as much consignment as possible to be green-minded and avoid long lead times, and we could not have been more thrilled with the result! We mostly sourced new for rugs and upholstery pieces, but the mix of old and new throughout gave the home a collected but contemporary vibe. Consignment pieces included an antique dining set that we reupholstered, along with a new custom bench seat cushion in the same printed fabric, a gorgeous wood bed for one of the guest bedrooms, a game table and set of 4 cane-backed chairs that we ended up reupholstering and pairing with another antique table in the breakfast nook off the kitchen, a marble topped accent table, and a stunning settee we reupholstered for the study off the primary bedroom. We even found a few accent pieces that we couldn’t resist, include a set of brass mid century table lamps that added balance to the main floor living room, and an original landscape oil painting from a Ukrainian artist that was the perfect touch for over the bed in the primary suite.
Happy hunting!