For starters, it’s more of a hunt with no guarantee of finding pieces that will align with your style. Also, shopping consignment usually means doing a bit of research beforehand and using a sharp eye mid-shopping in order to know what you’re buying and how much you ought to spend. To better navigate the thrill of the consignment furniture hunt, abide by these expert tips and tricks. “Don’t be afraid to grab pieces you love, even if you don’t have the entire look you are going for just yet. For example, you might fall in love with some chairs in one store and find a table at a different shop. Taking this approach will save you the most money,” says Darlene Richert, the CEO of Avery Lane, a luxury consignment shop based in Scottsdale, Ariz. “Woods do not have to match nor do metals; play around with different shades and tones. Also, try visualizing repurposing items. A small antique chest with a granite top can quickly be your vanity in a powder room, and contemporary living room side tables can make great nightstands.” Signs that a piece has been repaired include more than one set of holes where drawer pulls/knobs were installed, more than one color of paint (check the interior and underside), a fresh varnish smell or sheen, and fabric that doesn’t look like it’s from the period the furniture was designed. “Also, bring a blacklight,” she adds. “Move the furniture to a dimly lit area and run a blacklight over the wood. You will see touchup paint in areas ‘pop’ that you might not be able to see with a naked eye.” This tip especially applies to accessories and art since they’re easy to move again and again until you find the perfect placement. Should you miss out on a piece, the benefit of consignment is that new items are consistently added to the store. “New consignments are usually cleaned up and tagged the day before placing them on the showroom floor the following morning. As they say, the early bird catches the worm or the great piece of furniture,” notes Hirsch. Bodge adds, “If you live in an urban area, look at secondhand shops a few towns away. Prices tend to be higher in areas that are more cosmopolitan. Also, larger chains often have category-specific sale days, so it’s worth making a quick call to the shop that you plan to visit and ask if they have any furniture sale days coming up.”
