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The worldwide economic downturn has many people looking for ways to stretch their home decorating budgets. Unfortunately, some folks have forgotten, or perhaps never learned, some of the key skills involved when shopping, scavenging and bargaining for secondhand home furnishings.
Here are some tips on the best places to find furniture and home accessories at frugal prices, along with some personal skills to make the experience more pleasant for everyone.
Garage Sales: This seems almost like a no-brainer, yet not everyone thinks of these neighborhood sales as opportunities for bargain furnishings. The tricks are: Be exacting about what you buy, carry cash, and always be prepared to negotiate (also known as "haggling"). Examine each piece closely for defects and don't buy anything that needs extensive repairs, as it may not be reparable. Be vigilant, but also don't shy away from snapping up a bargain, such as side chairs or colorful braided area rugs, when they're offered.
Flea Markets: Neighborhoods and larger communities often hold parking-lot flea markets on weekends (think of that long open-air market scene in the movie "Notting Hill"). Larger markets offer more variety, which could mean more chance to find what's wanted or bigger temptations to the wallet. One caveat: Flea market vendors may have seconds or slightly flawed furnishings for sale. Be sure to inspect carefully, such as tugging on area rug fibers to see if they pull out too easily.
Trash or Treasure? In these frugal times, what a friend or neighbor discards may be exactly what another person wants or needs. The end of each month is a good time to walk the neighborhood and see if anyone's trash yields a home decorating treasure.
Thrift Stores: Thrift shops operated by non-profit charities such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army and local organizations can be gold mines for budget-minded home decorators. Don't limit browsing to the furnishings category, either; used clothing often can provide interesting fabrics for recovering pillows and creating other accessories. Be pleasant with the workers, who may be volunteers, but don't be afraid to haggle for a quality piece. If the worker can't help, seek out the manager.
Consignment Stores: These shops, where people bring things to be sold for a portion of the sale, are another good source of frugal furnishings, especially if the store typically sells estate items such as antique furniture or floral rugs. A recommended strategy is to make friends with the owner and let him or her know what items are wanted. That way, the owner can call when the item comes in.
Model Homes: Those showplace model homes with the professionally designed interiors can be unexpected sources of quality furnishings at far below market prices. Inquire with the builder's sales office when they'll take out the furnishings and where they will be sold. With a little courage in the asking, it may be possible to gain an entire designer-created roomful of furniture. Just be alert to any marks of wear and tear such as spots or fading.
Finally, don't overlook the possibility that family or friends may have items they'd like to trade or give away. A swap that would please both parties could be just around the corner!
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