Buying Used Furniture to Paint * Finding used furniture

Recently I found an awesome dresser from a thrift store for a STEAL. But after bringing it home, I got to thinking and realized the draw of the beauty and the bargain distracted me from following some of my own rules. The dresser had several layers of paint which is a big NO! If you are new to furniture painting or want to start a new DIY project, I have just the tips on buying used furniture to paint.

The Check List

Inspect the Structure Check the condition of the joints and material. You don’t want to be worrying about making a ton of repairs, especially if you are inexperienced. Wiggle it, push on it a bit. Gently push and pull on the legs or joints.
Check the Drawers If you are buying furniture with drawers, pull them out to check the condition of the assembly, including the slides.
Is it painted? If the piece has old paint on it and you are not equipped to strip that paint off, this too might be better to pass up. You don’t want to sand old paint off if you don’t know what it is; you could put yourself and family at risk of lead poisoning. To test for lead quickly you can use this.
Is it veneered? If the piece is wrapped in veneer and the veneer is chipping or pealing off, are you ok with that look or will you try to patch the missing veneer? If you are up for the veneer challenge you can get a variety of veneers here.
Measure it! A lot of listings I see do not include measurements. Measurements are always the first thing I ask for. If I am looking for a larger piece I tape out the floor of the area where I want to put it. This will help visualize if it will interfere with anything else.
Consider Style More ornate pieces tend to look better distressed and glazed than a minimalist piece would. Is the style dated? Oak pieces can look dated, but something as simple as removing the doors might provide a drastic update.

Samples Of Furniture

This desk was in great condition when I got it, but after I finished working on it I noticed that it had become quite wobbly! I was able to secure the back panel and that’s all it needed!

This one is perfect – I even have the glass top! No gluing or repairs were necessary, and finish is in good enough shape. A good cleaning and scuff will do great as a simple prep before painting.

This cabinet is structurally sound, but it is bare with no shelf and unattractive brackets. It will need some cabinetry detailing to make it useful again. (Maybe a wine rack?)

This chest is completely functional. All the parts are there and the top moves great. However, the finish on top is very old and is soft (Could be from exposure to products with oils). Even if I sand before painting the wrinkles will probably show up. Plus, whatever oils are on there will be soft under the paint which means it will break down.

We have made our fair share of “Oh man, what was I thinking???” mistakes when buying furniture. We wanted to pass on our knowledge on furniture junking with you so you can learn from our mistakes and feel confident about selecting that perfect conversation piece for your home.

Here is a list junking tag-alongs. I literally dug through my purse to share with you what I take with me everyday when buying used furniture… ok, in all honesty it’s just everyday, because you never know when that “side-of-the-road gold” will show up! 😂

Tools to Keep on Hand

Tape Mesure we use something super simple. Tara keeps heres on her key chain like this one.
Eye Scope / Magnifying glass
List of measurements for pieces you are looking for or spaces you want to fill (always in our recycled notebook!)
Moving blankets (even if you are planning on painting the piece, make sure it is protected) You can also use old blankets!
Phone/camera to take pictures in case you don’t plan on purchasing right away
Cash! Keep a small amount of cash in your wallet in case you find that perfect piece at a place that doesn’t accept other forms of payment. Some places will even let you leave a deposit to hold the piece until you can come back for the rest!

Happy Buying used Furniture!

Tara Lou