Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Unflip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

To spend £1,500 on a piece of furniture?

79 replies

raqp · 14/04/2025 22:10

Have seen a beautiful antique wardrobe for £1,500 at a local place. Has paperwork that shows it sold for over £10,000 in the late 1990s.

Would we be unreasonable to spend this much on one piece of furniture? It would be about 20% of our monthly pay!

OP posts:

indignantpigmy · 17/04/2025 10:05

I have a selection of inherited antique wardrobes and I hate them all. Not one of them can fit a coat hanger from the back to the front. Most of them only have hooks to hang things on as people didn't own much clothes in the past. I've fitted hanging rails in some and coat hangers sit at 45° because of the lack of depth.
One day I'm going to have a giant bonfire.

Summertimeblahness · 17/04/2025 10:01

GiroJim100 · 17/04/2025 08:51

Do you even know what a humblebrag is? I’m imagining not. The OP was just clearly looking to let everyone know how much thy earn despite it being largely irrelevant to the issue in hand.

Show quote history

It is relevant though. Op can afford it, she’s not putting herself in debt to buy it.

Thanks for your help though. Very thoughtful of you to take the opportunity to educate me.

JoanIsNotAwful · 17/04/2025 10:01

Oh too late, sorry it's gone, not meant to be then.

JoanIsNotAwful · 17/04/2025 10:00

zzplea · 14/04/2025 23:43

Is it actually useful for storage? Some old wardrobes weren't designed for clothes hangers running sideways, like in modern wardrobes.

This. I've seen some lovely old wardrobes but they would be of no practical use at all so I've reluctantly left them in the shop.

If you want it and will use it, go ahead though. But I don't understand why you're even mentioning what it cost previously, that has no relevance at all. I wouldn't see it as an investment.

Caroparo52 · 17/04/2025 09:55

If you will smile every day using it then yes. Not in same league but bought a Kwooker tap and it brightens my (sad little) life on daily basis.

Beyondburnout · 17/04/2025 09:52

Have you measured it. Assuming you live in a house who is going to carry it up the stairs? Does it have wood worm. What is the depth? I have a victorian wardrobe and have to use small wilko haingers because it's to small for regular ones now. It doesn't matter what it sold for 30 yrs ago that's irrelevant to its current worth.

queenofthesuburbs · 17/04/2025 09:44

But surely disposable income is relevant for any purchases.
Im not sure how one can brag when it’s an anonymous forum?

GiroJim100 · 17/04/2025 08:51

Summertimeblahness · 17/04/2025 08:36

😂 humble brag because it’s not a flat packed wardrobe from ikea? Ok.

Show quote history

Do you even know what a humblebrag is? I’m imagining not. The OP was just clearly looking to let everyone know how much thy earn despite it being largely irrelevant to the issue in hand.

Sulu17 · 17/04/2025 08:39

raqp · 15/04/2025 20:32

I went back this afternoon and it had sold 😣

Oh I'm sorry, OP. Keep looking around until you find something else you like.

Copperoliverbear · 17/04/2025 08:39

Of course it’s not unreasonable, if you love it and you have the money buy it.

Summertimeblahness · 17/04/2025 08:36

GiroJim100 · 17/04/2025 06:01

Nice humblebrag. Obviously it’s up to you if you want to buy or not.

😂 humble brag because it’s not a flat packed wardrobe from ikea? Ok.

Sulu17 · 17/04/2025 08:36

I have spent a lot more on furniture when I used to be well off. It is an investment and as others have said, brings joy every day.

Superhansrantowindsor · 17/04/2025 08:36

Buy it. It will last a lifetime. Think how many wardrobes you’d buy from ikea in the same time frame.

Riverswims · 17/04/2025 08:34

There was no need to mention your income ; you can get old stuff for free on olio if that’s what you’re into? or visit a museum 🤣I call stealth boast 🙄
YABU

Budgetquery · 17/04/2025 06:20

That’s absolutely fine as long as you’re not one of those people earning over 6k pm who will then tell us that it’s not enough to live on and you feel skint. 🙄

DeskJotter · 17/04/2025 06:13

raqp · 14/04/2025 22:10

Have seen a beautiful antique wardrobe for £1,500 at a local place. Has paperwork that shows it sold for over £10,000 in the late 1990s.

Would we be unreasonable to spend this much on one piece of furniture? It would be about 20% of our monthly pay!

I've spent more than this on furniture. You earn lots of money, I don't see what the problem is.

GiroJim100 · 17/04/2025 06:01

Nice humblebrag. Obviously it’s up to you if you want to buy or not.

JaninaDuszejko · 17/04/2025 05:25

Vinterior is really expensive- have a look at local auctions and buy at trade prices!

There's all prices on there but it has an excellent search engine to help you find what you like, just search by price range to cut out the £££ stuff. And the sellers can often be found on other sites where you can negotiate prices.

Papyrophile · 16/04/2025 16:14

Large brown furniture has dropped in price enormously since the 1990s as others have said, but I think we're pretty much at the bottom of the market now. Sadly, most modern houses are not spacious enough to accommodate them.

I still share your disappointment; I was hoping to read that you'd bought it.

LSmiff · 16/04/2025 16:14

I usually look, walk away & think about it. If I can’t stop thinking about it I go back a few times & look, before I buy. Should it be gone, then it was never meant to be.

FairlyFarleigh · 16/04/2025 16:03

Sorry to hear that @raqp , how disappointing. But use this as a nudge to look at similar pieces- I'm sure you'll find something else to love.
Vinterior is really expensive- have a look at local auctions and buy at trade prices!

JaninaDuszejko · 16/04/2025 14:49

That's a shame it's gone. Have a look on Vinterior to see if you can find a similar one.

FWIW I agree with everyone that £1500 is very good value for a wardrobe. You get much better value buying vintage and antiques than buying new. I spent double than that on my vintage leather sofa which I adore and I earn less than you. Money spent on a piece of furniture you love is never wasted.

Davros · 16/04/2025 14:37

@raqp I’ve been away so just popped back to see what happened. How disappointing but now you might find yourself actively looking for something similar which you might not have done otherwise (experience speaking!)

PermanentTemporary · 15/04/2025 20:37

Ach that's such a shame. Glad you went back though. Ask the dealer to keep you in mind if something like that comes up.

We were also told that it wasn't worth transporting my mum's furniture to an auction house, and yet funnily enough if you try and buy a really nice piece of brown furniture it costs a bomb. (Admittedly my mum's wasn't that nice).