Where to find second-hand homeware

There's a thrill in bagging something special and giving it a new home

Photo by Robinson Greig on Unsplash

“Oh that’s nice, where is it from?”…“This? Oh I found it in a charity shop.” The delight! I love it when that happens.

I remember when I first started scouring the chazzas when I was in my early twenties and I used to feel slightly embarrassed about it. I’d scurry in before anyone could notice and make a swift exit once I was done, no hanging around. You see, it wasn’t cool then. Not like it is now.

I love that going second-hand shopping is something so many more of us do (even if it does mean it’s harder to bag the good stuff!) and I can often be found mooching in my local stores to see what treasures I can find, or meeting with friends to discover new spots. We’ve been known to dedicate a whole day out to a good chazza crawl. I’ve bought clothes (that I’ve worn day to day and for occasions), shoes (like a pair of new Supergas for four quid), kids’ stuff and toys and lots of pieces for my home. A friend of mine once found a Chanel two-piece that must have been put out without the realisation of its value because she got it for a pinch. What a great story that is.

This month, if you haven’t heard about it, is #secondhandseptember. It’s an Oxfam initiative that was launched in 2019 to encourage more of us to ‘shop second hand and donate, reuse, rewear and restyle during Second Hand September – and beyond!’. Its aim is to reduce waste, get away from fast fashion (I include both clothing and homeware in this) and the waste that it generates, and in turn be kinder to the planet. Bonus: it’s kinder to your wallet too. Which is probably why my excited answer to the above question is often followed by ‘and it was only xxx quid!’. Like I say, quite the thrill.

It’s nothing new that reduce, reuse, recycle is what we should all be doing for the sake of the environment. By the very nature of home decoration and the costs involved, you could argue that the lesser frequency of house projects makes them more sustainable. And while I do agree with this, it only works if you buy good-quality, long-lasting pieces that you know you’ll have and love for years.

It’s an exciting proposition to try and find the perfect pre-loved item for your home. There are plenty of places to start your search, including the aforementioned chazzas and more specialist sites online. I often set up searches for things I’d like to find, my latest being a ‘modern dresser’ for the kitchen-diner, although I am open to an upcycle.

It’s definitely harder to find what you envision when shopping this way and absolutely more time consuming. Sometimes, it’s a case of luck, to be honest. For me, that’s all part of the enjoyment, and part of the tale. When you finally find what you’ve been looking for, I bet you won’t be able to wait to tell people all about it.

Top places to find second-hand finds for your home

1. Facebook Marketplace. It’s the only reason I’m still on Facebook really. Sift through the annoying companies using it for marketing and you’ll find some great pieces, whether it’s a ready-to-go item, reclaimed original feature like a period fire surround, or something to upcycle with a transformative lick of paint. There are stacks of storage items from Ikea on there too so if you think it easier to go to that big blue warehouse, try FB first instead. You could even attempt an #ikeahack. Make your search specific and narrow down your location radius (unless you’re willing to drive for the goods).
   

2. Charity shops. If you’re after more that just crockery, curtains and kitchenware, seek out furniture-specific ones that are usually located in large warehouses and tend to be on industrial estates. Always take a tape measure – don’t be caught out and end up buying something you can’t get in the front door, let alone your room. And if you have pieces to give, drop your local one a line. They’ll often collect for free, or a small donation.
   

3. Vinterior. Prefer to shop online? Head to vinterior.co and prepare to discover a treasure trove of pre-owned homeware. There are SO many gems on here and I love to have a browse. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for an are in need of some inspo, shop by style, like rustic, antique, Mid Century, and see what you can uncover. Prepare for a good scroll.
   

4. The Old Cinema. If you’re in London, this place is worth setting aside an hour or so for a good mooch. The store has been on Chiswick High Road since 1978 and I can only imagine the amazing pieces that have crossed the doors in that time.
   

5. Retrouvius. These guys ‘bring salvaged, reclaimed, and vintage materials back into circulation through the shop and Studio’. The online shop is well worth a look for interesting pieces of furniture, lighting and some great rugs. I spotted some reclaimed parquet flooring on there too, which is a fab find if you’re in the market for it.
   

6. Pre-loved. This can be hit and miss and you’ve got to do some digging, but if you know what you want, it’s worth setting up a search to see what comes up. It’s an online marketplace where people can list their wares in a bid to give them a nice new home.
   

7. Your local community! I walked past a house recently where the driveway had been converted to a yard sale. The owners were moving and selling off their unwanted furniture. I didn’t buy anything, but sure as had a look. If you’re open to it, you’ll start spotting things like this where you live — from things left in the street with notes stating ‘free to a good home’ or even items in skips bound for landfill. Always ask though, don’t take without permission.

What’s your best second-hand find?

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