Tips on Shopping for Furniture at Antique Malls

One of the more exciting sides of home ownership has to be the decorating portion. Making your home look beautiful from the inside out can give you a real appreciation of all your hard work. The options for making your place look like a decorators dream are plentiful these days. You can whip out your phone and find someone selling the perfect piece for your home in a few minutes flat. One of the biggest bargains and latest trends in the world of furniture and home décor has to be thrift and antique store hauls. No longer do homeowner pay retail when a piece with a richer history and a cheaper price tag can be found with a little extra hunting around your local antique mall. Going to your first antique mall or thrift store can be a little daunting. Use the tips below to make the most of your trip and get some great buys to help make your home look amazing.

Narrow Your Search

If you haven’t really been inside of an antique or thrift warehouse then be prepared. Larger stores are miles long and booths seem almost endless. The amount of items in each booth can range from a few items to 50 or more. Before you even step inside the store make sure you are armed with a narrowed list of items. Try out four or five pieces of furniture or accessories you’re searching for. For a novice shopper, having a narrowed list can save you from becoming too overwhelmed by the sheer amount of items. If you’re focused on finding some new chairs or a coffee table for your living room then you won’t be as likely to waiver and start looking through everything. The best part about this is if you’re able to find all the items on your list then walking the floor to browse for new treasures can help you discover what section of your home you want to work on next. Narrowing your search can also be handy when you’re working on a budget and aren’t necessarily looking for a lot of extra items to add unneeded dollars to your bill.

Don’t Fear Negotiation

One of the best things about the world of antique markets is the ability to negotiate. It’s one of the rare few places that you can get a better price just by asking. Depending on the item you are looking for, a dealer is ready to take a lower price if it has been sitting on the floor for a few weeks. Larger items are more than likely negotiable as well. Antique dealers are interested in getting their items out of their booths and moving in fresh inventory every few weeks in order to attract new customers. Making an offer on an item can never hurt. While some dealers are firm on their prices, other dealers expect you to make a lower offer than what the tag says. Another great tip is to buy a few items from a single booth. Most sellers are happy to give discounts if you’re willing to buy more than one item from their booth. Package deals are an amazing way to get some great items for a lot less. Getting a seller to lower their price might seem scary at first but after a few times you’ll more than likely get the hang of it. The most trips to antique stores and thrift shops, the more you’ll learn how much certain items cost.

Elbow Grease is Best

One of the most important things to remember about shopping for antiques or items at a thrift store is the fact that the items you buy may not be in the best shape. Beautiful antiques in great shape often cost a lot of money. If you have a budget you’re working with then being prepared to put a little sweat equity into the item could save your wallet and give you experience that you may need on your next restoration project. Getting a great buy on an item that needs a little work can end up doubling your budget at the end of the day. Sure, buying a new item might save you time but it doesn’t give you much space to make the item uniquely yours. Approach items with that thought in mind. Furniture which may need a little work can be a blank canvas for you to design however you want. Restoring the item back to its original state can also make you big bucks if you ever decide to sell it. Antiques can be a major investment both for the beauty for your home and even a future item up for sale.

If you have questions about your renovation projects or need professional help with your home repair, Kirk Enterprises, Inc. is here to help. Call us at 703-791-4781 for more information.