Bedroom Furniture Mirrored Drawers

Bedroom Furniture Mirrored Drawers

What Should I Know About Buying Used Furniture?

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Is it time to replace that lumpy old couch or revitalize your dining room with a table-and-chair set that actually makes guests feel welcome (and comfortable)? Buying used furniture is a great way to get new-to-you furniture for sprucing up your home without hearing muffled cries of anguish coming from your wallet. If you're looking to decorate on a budget and buy your pieces used, you might have some questions about the process — it's not exactly the same as buying new, after all. Below are some important considerations to keep in mind as you get started in your quest for used furniture.

Used Furniture Is Usually Safe — Except for These Pieces

If you've never purchased used pieces of furniture before, you might be wondering whether it's safe to do so. In general, the answer is yes, especially when it's an item that you can wipe down and clean easily, such as an all-wood dresser or a metal-and-glass dining table. However, there are some pieces you really shouldn't buy used if you can avoid it.

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Used mattresses, whether they're for adults, kids or babies, have a higher potential of posing health hazards because they could be contaminated with bodily fluids, bed bugs, mold and mites. Plus, it's impossible to know what's lurking inside a mattress without cutting it up to find out. A bed frame, on the other hand, is usually a safe purchase as long as you can clean it. If that bed frame is upholstered, however, you might also want to pass it up.

Overall, it can be best to avoid all types of heavily used upholstered furniture, such as couches, chairs, headboards and other pieces. These may have stains of unknown origin that you won't be able to remove (and won't want to, because who knows what they might be?). But upholstered items, with years of regular use, can also become lumpy and bumpy and uncomfortable to sit on, which defeats the purpose of bringing a new piece of furniture meant for relaxation into your home. Unless you're planning to learn DIY upholstery skills, skip upholstered items that are obviously old, misshapen and stained. Opt for items that are new with tags in this situation.

You Should Make It a Point to Hold Out for Quality

One of the main reasons you might want to buy used furniture is that you can get a great deal on a gently worn piece that was a lot costlier when it was brand new. And you should spend a little time trying to do just that. Look for pieces from well-known, durable brands like Flexsteel, Lexington, Bassett, Woodbridge and other companies that have reputations for producing higher-end, built-to-last furniture. If you can find them, you'll be investing in a piece that can last for years to come, and you'll be paying a better price on top of that.

Photo Courtesy: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/DigitalVision/Getty Images

On the flip side, unless you're looking for some garage shelving or a piece that won't see too much heavy use, such as a bedside table, it's best to avoid purchasing mass-produced, self-assembled furniture secondhand. These pieces are usually nowhere near as durable as factory-built pieces from trusted brands, and they also might not have all their original components. This means they may have lost some of their structural integrity. So, even if you're paying a low price, you might not be happy with how well they perform or get that much use out of them.

What a piece is made out of is just as, if not more, important than who made it. Self-assembled furniture is made with cheaper materials, like particleboard and veneer. And while there's nothing inherently wrong with these materials, you're usually not getting that great a deal when you buy them used because they depreciate quickly. Aim for solid hardwood and metal furniture instead. It'll last you longer, and these materials are easy to clean.

Take a Look in Person Whenever You Can

It's not always possible to check out a used item in person — maybe you're browsing on an online auction site — but you should aim for in-person shopping when it comes to used furniture. This gives you the opportunity to sit in a piece or otherwise use it to determine how comfortable it is and whether you'll be able to enjoy it. That's something you can't judge just from looking at a picture.

Photo Courtesy: Mint Images - Bill Miles/Mint Images RF/Getty Images

It'll also give you a better idea about the item's condition and quality, which, again, are somewhat easy to conceal in photos online. It's simple for a seller to show scratches and other damage, but they can't convey that a dresser's drawers stick, for example, in photos. Even seeing this in writing doesn't give you the clearest idea about how much of an impact the damage might have on the furniture's usability.

Unlike when you're buying something brand new, there's generally a greater likelihood that a piece of used furniture will have those dents, dings and maybe even some deeper types of damage. And of course you'll want to know about these things before you decide to make a purchase. Not only can they influence your overall decision to buy, but they may also give you a potential bargaining chip. If a piece needs some repairs that you're comfortable making, you may have an easier time negotiating a lower price because of its condition.

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Bedroom Furniture Mirrored Drawers

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Bedroom And Office Combination

Bedroom And Office Combination

If you do not have an extra room in your home to dedicate to a home office, consider the addition of a desk in your bedroom, whether it be the master or a guest room. A bedroom can be the perfect spot to squeeze in an office if no other options are available. It's peaceful and away from distractions that you will find in the main living areas – not to mention the bed is close at hand if you need a nap or some crucial time to reflect!

If you have torn down an adjoining wall, retaining some of the dividing wall (called a pony wall) will help create some separation. It's important to switch off at the end of the day! Have a look below at our collection of 25 ideas for incorporating a home office into your bedroom. We hope you get inspired to make this addition, which is both comfortable and stylish. Enjoy!FYI: In the image above, the wall color is Benjamin Moore HC-155 Newburyport Blue.

TELL US: Are you planning on adding a home office to your bedroom? Tell us all about your design ideas in the Comments.

NOTE: Have a look at another inspiring article for home office ideas: 25 Small And Creative Home Office Design Ideas To Inspire.

A walk-in closet gets re-purposed in this bedroom into a home office space, creating some visual separation.

A small bedroom features translucent doors to not only bring in natural light, but offer a privacy screen from the home office. If you have extra space in your bedroom, this would be a great idea to steal! Separating the spaces so you don't feel like you sleep and work in the same room.

In Dallas, Texas, a homeowner was in desperate need of an office in her home. The solution was to create on in her master bedroom. The idea was to be able to close the space off to make it look like a closet, neat and tidy. If you have the space in your master bedroom, or even a spare bedroom, transform a walk-in closet into an office. It will be quiet, and when the doors are closed, you won't even know its there.

One problem to overcome with an office in your closet is lighting, since closets do not typically have windows. Consider the addition of an overhead light fixture or a desk lamp to help with task lighting.

If you need a guest bedroom for occasional overnight visitors, why not have a combo office/guest room? Install a pull-out wall bed (Murphy bed) inside of a cupboard so it is concealed when not in use.

A pin board or magnetic board above your desk helps to keep you organized with post-it notes, reminders and inspiration.

Instead of a nightstand next to your bed, why not incorporate an office desk with a comfortable wing back chair. Accessories really helps to personalize your space… and makes it more fun!

In the bedroom above, a bay window was used to accommodate an built-in desk. Not only will you have plenty of natural light in this space, there is lots of storage to tuck items (such as a printer) out of the way. A professional… and comfortable work chair will complete the look. But since this is in your home, you do not necessarily have to go with professional, just have a look at the image above for inspiration.

A home office with a view! This master bedroom retreat cantilevers over the driveway, offering breathtaking treetop views. It gives the feeling of floating, we could be inspired to work here, how about you? This modern lake house is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina.

Another clever way to conceal your office space in your bedroom is to create a "now-you-see-it-now-you-don't" setup. If you have an empty alcove — or you can take the doors off of a closet — and fit your desk and shelves into the space. Install full-length drapery, hiding the whole workspace from view when not in use.

It is not ideal to have laptops, desktops, wires and stacks of paper in your bedroom. Your bedroom is supposed to promote rest and relaxation. If your bedroom is the only space in your home that you can fit in an office, then concealing it could be an excellent option. The bedroom above features closet doors that closes off the office alcove when not in use.

An office desk can be used in lieu of a nightstand. Be sure to personalize it with pictures, a vase of flowers or any other details that helps to inspire you through your workday.

A young girls room features built-in cabinetry to work on homework in the privacy of a bedroom.

A young boys room offers the convenience of a built-in desk and storage cabinetry, perfect for homework and privacy!

If you have an office that plays double duty as workspace/guest bedroom, don't despair. Integrating a concealed fold-down bed will provide you with the best of both worlds!

In a master bedroom in Denver, Colorado, custom barn doors were incorporated into the design. The door can be used to close off either the home office or the master bathroom. Want to tour the rest of this home? We featured the article here: Mid-century ranch home with modern-day appeal in Colorado.

If you live in a small apartment or condo, it is likely you will have your office in either your bedroom or your living room. If you opt to add the office into your bedroom, make it feel cozy like the Scandinavian bedroom above. Select furnishings in keeping with the style of the room. Don't forget to personalize, this is your home, add some style!

If your bedroom pulling double duty as an office space, consider a narrow desk. It will be less obtrusive, but still wide enough to accommodate a laptop and any other necessary materials. Rather than selecting a more formal office chair, why not consider something more fun, such as the curvaceous option above. It complements the white color palette and offers comfort during long workdays at the computer. The Eames molded plastic dowel-leg armchair is available for purchase from here.

When designing your office space, try to avoid the cubicle aesthetic. If you are opting to work from home, its generally because you want to stay as far away from cubicles as possible. So don't copy the look into your home, go in the opposite direction! Go for comfort and visual appeal. This office in a bedroom looks amazing with a glamorous black chair instead of your typical office chair…. and again, don't forget to personalize!!

This bedroom offers a spacious working area in its own alcove and it feels cohesive with the bedroom palette and furnishings. Notice the great abstract piece close to the desk. Abstract art intermingled with traditional pieces creates a great soft, modern aesthetic.

A closet area in the bedroom has doors removed and a built-in desk incorporated into the design. Storage above helps to keep the office space neat and organized.

This chic San Francisco bedroom features a small office space that includes antique steel engraved prints, gilded sconces and an antique desk chair.

If you don't have frequent overnight guests, opt for a guest room that can also be used as your office. Before guests come to visit, clean up your desktop area so they have more space to spread out. Incorporate plenty of built-in storage space to house your documents to keep the space clean and tidy. You don't want your guests to feel that they are invading your space when they come to visit!

If you don't have much space to work with in your bedroom, focus on expanding upwards instead of outwards. Floating shelves add style and practicality. Decorative storage bins or boxes can house important documents, while decor helps to personalize the space. The best part about this home office is its budget-friendly price tag. The shelves are DIY at just under $40 spent in wood per shelf.

Above, a Mac desktop fits perfectly on a small desk, while gold and pink accents reflects off the black and mostly white color palette. Adding some flair to your office space helps to keep the bedroom feeling more cozy… and fun!

Photo Sources: 1. How to Decorate, 2. Michael Abrams Limited, 3. Kristen Rivoli Interior Design, 4. Modern Craft Construction, 5. Sarah Fortescue Designs, 6. Crafty Nest, 7. Shades of Blue Interiors, 8. Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders, 9. Carlton Architecture, 10. Lynne Scalo Design, 11. West Chin Architects, 12. The Every Girl, 13. Polsky Perlstein Architects, 14. Cathy Morehead + Associates, 15. Bayview Design Group Australia, 16. Design Platform, 17. Bjurfors, 18. Kelly Deck Design, 19. Jamie Laubhan-Oliver, 20. Jodie Rosen Design, 21. Janelle Interiors, 22. Tucker & Marks, 23. Tamalpais Construction Company, 24. Shanty 2 Chic, 25. Meme Hill

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Bedroom And Office Combination

Source: https://onekindesign.com/2016/07/08/fabulous-ideas-home-office-bedroom/

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