Upcycling Furniture: A Guide to Finding Affordable Treasures in the UK
Upcycling furniture is a great way to save money, reduce your environmental impact, and create unique pieces for your home. The UK has a wealth of resources for upcyclers, from charity shops and boot sales to online marketplaces and local community groups.
1. Charity Shops
Charity shops are a great place to find affordable furniture. Many charities have dedicated furniture stores, and you can often find some real bargains. The proceeds from your purchase will go to a good cause, so you can feel good about your shopping spree!
In case you’re local, some of my favourite charity shops that have a great selection of furniture are:
- St Wilfred’s Hospice Outlet – Chalcroft Nurseries, Chalcraft Ln, Bognor Regis PO21 5TS
- St Barnabas House – 68 Wick St, Wick, Littlehampton BN17 7JS
- Guild Care Superstore – 2 – 4 Duke St, Littlehampton BN17 6EU
- Guild Care Superstore – Woods Way, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing BN12 4QY
- Guild Care Superstore – Unit 2, Meadow Road Depot, Meadow Rd, East, Worthing BN11 2SA
- British Heart Foundation – 45 Chapel Rd, Worthing BN11 1EG
- Emmaus Superstore – Drove Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN41 2PA
I found these drawers at an auction and I just couldn’t resist the gorgeous walnut woodgrain! I added some gold leaf and these drawers were ready to make their debut!
2. Boot Sales
Boot sales are a traditional British way to sell unwanted items. You can find everything at a boot sale, from clothes and toys to furniture and antiques. Boot sales are often held on weekends, so check your local newspaper and local Facebook groups for listings.
There’s a Facebook group for finding out when local boot sales or fairs are taking place in Sussex – find it here.
3. Online Marketplaces
There are a number of online marketplaces where you can find furniture to upcycle. Some of the most popular include eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace. You can search for specific pieces of furniture, or you can browse through the general listings.
Set up search alerts for eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, and that way as soon as something is listed that you have an alert for, you can snap it it up before anyone else does!
This was a table I bought on eBay, then restored and refinished so it looked as good as new, and then sold for a profit.
4. Local Community Groups
Many local communities have groups dedicated to upcycling. These groups can be a great source of information and inspiration. They may also be able to help you find furniture to upcycle.
5. Freecycle
Freecycle is a non-profit organization that allows people to give away and receive free items. You can find furniture on Freecycle, but you’ll need to be quick, as items are often claimed quickly.
I found these tables on Facebook Marketplace and with a little imagination, turned them into these green and gold beauties!
6. Auction Houses
Local auctions are a great place to find unique pieces of furniture. Since COVID-19, a lot of auction houses now broadcast their auctions online via websites such as The Saleroom, Easy Live Auction and Live Auctioneers, where you can also place bids via their online platforms. Nothing quite beats an in-person auction though, I would definitely recommend it!
7. Facebook Groups
There are a number of Facebook groups dedicated to upcycling. These groups are a great place to find inspiration, advice, and furniture to upcycle.
I found this little chest of drawers for FREE by the side of the road and created a faux bone inlay look using pearlescent paint.
Tips for Finding Furniture to Upcycle
- Be patient. It may take some time to find the perfect pieces of furniture to upcycle.
- Be creative. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. You can upcycle all sorts of furniture, from old chairs and tables to dressers and bookshelves.
- Have fun! Upcycling is a great way to express your creativity and save money.
I hope this blog post has helped you find some great places to find furniture to upcycle. With a little creativity and patience, you can create some amazing pieces for your home.
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See you on the next flip!
Brenda xx