Buying furnture

[jawillwill]

Where's the best place to go? I'm moving house soon and need to start pretty much from scratch (have nothing except a bed so far).

 

I quite like the look of NEXT stuff, and the price isn't too bad, although it'd be nice if I could get it a little cheaper. Does anyone know if they ever d big sales on furniture; if so, when?

 

How sturdy is Ikea stuff. I always assume not very, but any good news stories would be welcome.

 

Anywhere else people can recommend?

[Grey Crab]

I got all my furniture from a variety of skips.

[Batman]

Argos the lot

[Saint-scooby]

I make tables for a living so if you want one that will last let me know

[buctootim]

Most IKEA stuff is actually reasonable quality. Its very ubiquitous so your place will look like a million others - but there are a lot of things worse than that. Their cheap sofas are a bit gack though. If you need a good sofa without paying a fortune this place is good - I bought one 10 years ago when I got divorced thinking Id keep it a couple of years till I could afford something better - but its really comfy and I kept it. http://www.sofasofa.co.uk/

Edited 16 May, 2014 by buctootim

[Manuel]

Furniture auctions. If you've got half a day to spare, it's a pretty interesting trip and you'll get amazing stuff for a third of the price of Argos crap. Might be a hundred years old too.

[SO16_Saint]

For a starting point, would definitely recommend Ikea.

 

Fairly good quality, reasonably cheap and you can stock up on Rekorderling cider on the eay out

 

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[rooney]

Furniture auctions. If you've got half a day to spare, it's a pretty interesting trip and you'll get amazing stuff for a third of the price of Argos crap. Might be a hundred years old too.

 

Definitely. My wife works for a firm of Fine Art Auctioneers and their General Sale once per week is full of good class furniture. Most of it wooden too not like the MDF made rubbish you pay the earth for.

[swannymere]

Furniture auctions. If you've got half a day to spare, it's a pretty interesting trip and you'll get amazing stuff for a third of the price of Argos crap. Might be a hundred years old too.

 

This is the way to go, going to IKEA etc. is all very well and good but it looks dated quickly and everybody else has the same stuff.

[Ludwig]

Have you thought about making your own furniture? You don't need to be very skilled. I have done my flat out almost entirely with things i have made (apart from the bed). My parents bought a massive coffee table from a well known shop which was delivered to the house in a box. They have the coffee table in their lounge and i am using the box as my coffee table. I put tape around the corners and edges to make it more sturdy and painted the top and sides to make it look better. I have a smaller box as a side table and this one i rather ingeniously varnished to see if it would make it strong and look nice - and it does. If you don't have family who are buying things that come in boxes, a good thing to do is go down to a supermarket and see if they have any spares. All of this can be done at minimal cost. I wouldn't use a box for a dining table.....i tried it and it collapsed when i had some friends round and the dinner ended up ruined on the floor. Luckily, i dont have carpet but sheets if bubble wrap laid down. It looks cool and funky, is comfy to walk on and if things get spilt then you just lift it up and wash it/replace it. The dining table is now a filing cabinet, on its side. I found it in a skip outside an office that was being refurbished. Just keep your eyes open and you'll see all sorts of things lying about outside. It makes going out interesting - im always on the look out for things that i can use in the house. Im getting more confident in making things rather than just using things, this is quite a big step and you'll need to build up to it. Best of luck kitting out your new place, Will.