To think buying furniture brand new is a waste of money?

I’m sort of with you but I have an old house so chunky old bits of oak look like they’ve always been there. I like them because they are hard wearing (kid proof) and I can move the wardrobes without fearing the back will ping off.

I’d never buy a used mattress or sofa though. I think sixties teak is an acquired taste.

I bought my living room furniture on eBay 20yrs ago. As a childminder and a parent I wanted something that was tough and cheap. I sold it 3yrs ago and bought solid oak new for our now grown up space. It will last much longer than me!

When MIL died recently we had to clear her house. Solid Mahogany dresser, table & chairs, side tables and a lovely 3piece suite. We couldn't give it away, even the charity shops didn't want them. Such a shame. All the newer modern stuff from her bedrooms sold instantly.

I buy mine new, but have no intention of selling it in 6 months. I've got wardrobes and cupboards that have travelled to 3 different houses over many years. Buy well and it won't date.

I mean, I find those examples of teak 60s furniture hideous. I wouldn't want them in my home if I could afford to get items I actually liked instead.

Why does anyone buy new anything?

The bidding’s pretty brisk on the middle one. It’s gone from 99p to £102 with three days to go - not bad for something nobody wants.

But I don’t understand why people spend so much money on brand new furniture, when in 6 months time it’ll be worth about half what paid.

Unless you plan to try and sell it after 6 months that's completely irrelevant.

As for why don't people just buy 2nd hand 1960s teak furniture - maybe they don't like teak?! Or 1960s styles? Or want something in better condition?

Like this stuff

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164985447166?hash=item2669e622fe:g:MckAAOSw60Ng-CW2

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133829971007?hash=item1f28e34c3f:g:opAAAOSwZ0Zg9mIm

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392864410101?hash=item5b788b29f5:g:IE0AAOSwjT5fA3u-

I don’t like teak or oak furniture, I’m happy with good old IKEA. My wardrobes were bought in 2001 and they are still perfect, they need tightening up every now and then but they are perfectly useable after 20 years.
We have a couple of second hand pieces but they needed to be refinished and it’s a pain in the arse. I’d rather buy new and just get exactly what I want.

*their. Stupid autocorrect.

Also people seem to think they're old stuff is gold dust with the prices on FB Marketplace

I gave away solid teak bedroom furniture that I'd inherited, it didn't fit in what I needed to, the drawers on the dressing table were very shallow. I've kept a tall boy, but the drawers again aren't very deep. It was a time when people didn't have a lot. I've got vintage wardrobes in spare rooms but again they are bulkier than needed without holding a lot. A bit like vintage televisions are too big.
As said I buy new to get exactly what I want and will fit. Although my Mother's solid dining table that she gave away in the 70's and bought a Formica one instead, is still being passed around.

People often need furniture to fit awkward spaces, or fulfil a certain objective, or match an aesthetic.
I wanted IKEA wardrobes to maximise space, no one seems to sell them 2nd hand as why would you, they're perfect and last forever.
My dining table had to be a compact one that extends, in a specific size.
People selling 2nd hand on Facebook are often fuckwits
I don't have a venue to transport stuff.
So, so may reasons people buy new furniture, surely you realise that?

she’s talking about the sixties teak stuff that’s got no resale value and you can’t give away

That’s completely untrue - check out mid century furniture, particularly Ercol and Danish makes on eBay, it goes for £££££.

I want my furniture to last, I would want ten years out of a decent sofa
I have got a dining table and coffee table bought from new which are both 15+ years old ,60's furniture would look odd in my house due to its age.
I buy to use and not to resell after 6 months .

It depends what items it is though.

Oak furniture tends to be extremely heavy. Too heavy for me.

Teens tend to like ikea and as someone said if you have to get it around corners even ikea have started taking stuff back in a new scheme they have.

Preference I guess would be to get stuff off ebay, you sometimes get some lovely pieces but often need to pick it up.

Something like Ercol is timeless, expensive true but likely to be passed down in family anyway.

Antique furniture can be lovely but you’ve really got to have the style of house to carry it off. Not everyone has the room or can even get that stuff into their houses.

Mid century furniture is highly sought after and frequently more expensive than its modern equivalent. I inherited my Ercol, I couldn’t afford to buy it second hand, the prices are insane.

I don't see furniture as an investment so doesn't matter that it loses value.
Tbh I don't also buy 1000 quid worth piece. Ikea girl through and through. If uou pick better pieces they last. My shelves moved with me 2 in last 6 years and are in REALLY great condition.
Mix of new and old is good balance

A lot of people treat furniture as disposable so don't need/want to pay for solid/well built new furniture and the 2nd hand stuff doesn't isn't fashionable enough.

It does mean that every time me and DH have needed anything we've had a load of choice of lovely dark wood, dovetail jointed stuff from 100yrs ago for very little £.

We have paid £1000 for a 2nd hand sofa; refurbished by the company that hand builds them (and charges £10k+ new) which is wearing very well and is much better quality than what we could have bought new.

I do wonder what people will do in another 100yrs though because I'm sure Ikea stuff won't last that long

I have secondhand pieces and IKEA furniture (it has lasted ten years so far), but I can't get myself to buy secondhand sofas or mattresses. My sofas are a decade old as well, though.

I’ve never actually met anyone who buys furniture fo their home based on resale value, generally those things are bought to keep for a very long time. Oak furniture is nice, but I really don’t like the 60s teak stuff and would rather buy what I want than have my house filled with that stuff.

The reason it’s so cheap and there’s so much of it about is because folks don’t want it,

Do you not understand or do you want to brag about how much better you are than lots of people?

I but loads second hand btw I just completely understand why people don't.

I think also if you live in a flat above the ground floor or need to get a large piece of furniture up the stairs then new, flat pack furniture in pieces which requires assembly is easier to transport. I know you can dissemble flat pack again but it’s never quite the same is it.

I get quite a lot of furniture from Facebook marketplace etc as it’s cheaper and I’m properly rubbish at assembly!!