…But isn’t secondhand furniture…GROSS??

By Mallory Grady

As a design team that always starts with secondhand first- we hear many reasons why someone might want to buy brand new. Isn’t it just cleaner to get an item that was just shipped from Wayfair and hasn’t been used before? Doesn’t it just make more sense?

At KKI, we have found that pieces that tell a story and have a past are more interesting in a space- much like people! Not only that, but a home that has a collected feel, with pieces from lots of different sources- not just one retail store- is what makes a space pop. Often the best way to get a collected feel is from acquiring pieces from all over- antique stores, Facebook Marketplace, and even your own great-aunt Edna! But what do you do when the piece feels dingy, wobbly, or just feels old and tired?

There are lots of ways to refresh a piece that has lived a good life. If it’s a rug that has been used for many years but a well-made, high quality carpet, try sending it off for a professional cleaning! This can often give an old rug new life. If the used item is an upholstered piece, try giving it a steam clean to make it feel new again. If that’s not enough, try reupholstering the piece to breathe new life into the tired frame. 

A previous client had a white loveseat that they owned for many years with young kids and a dog, and the couch was beginning to get… more off-white. The client was ready to throw the couch into the nearest landfill! But really all the loveseat needed was some elbow grease. We suggested she remove the pillow covers, throw them in the wash, and let them air dry. That was just what the piece needed to get back to it’s old bright-white self and it is still used in their home today.

Sometimes, however, the patina on an item is what gives it that lived-in, well-worn feel. It’s something that can’t be replicated and adds dimension to your space. Like a leather chair that has a worn look that tells the story of many evenings with the owner curled up reading a book. Or an antique rug with some fading in spots that give its age away. Not all items have to look brand new to be useful- sometimes that makes those items the most cherished in your home.