In August, our family of five moved into our new home on the Gold Coast, Australia. We’ve been living in my parents’ house since January, when we moved interstate from rural Victoria.
When we left Victoria we put all our belongings into storage as we were not sure how long we would be on the Gold Coast. So when we moved into our new place we really only had a handful of belongings.
We did a quick search online asking how much we might need to spend to furnish a three bedroom duplex in that part of the world. The AI-generated price estimate ranges from $8,000 to $16,000 AUD (approximately $5,580 to $11,150). We are a family of five on a tight budget and this expense seemed quite expensive.
Therefore, we decided to equip it with second-hand items. We buy almost everything on Facebook Marketplace or the op store, except for bedding and some kitchen essentials (like dinnerware sets).
Buying second hand has proven to be a fun experience with various benefits.
It saved us thousands of people
Saving money is a big thing for us. In total, the property cost approximately $5,200 to renovate, meaning we were able to redirect the money spent on new items for other purposes.
When we find items online, I often check the MSRP for comparison. For example, we spent $650 AUD on a king bed, mattress and two side tables. The same package would cost A$2828 brand new (excluding mattress). We bought a barely used cream sofa for $800 which retails for about $2800.
Generally speaking, buying used means we pay a fraction of the price of buying new. This has saved us thousands of dollars in total.
They got a set of second-hand bedroom furniture at a good price. Courtesy of Melissa Noble
It eliminates indecision and wasted time
When my husband and I renovated our first home together in Melbourne, we shopped around and visited multiple furniture stores before purchasing furniture. It’s very time consuming and, frankly, quite grueling with a two-year-old following along. But buying second-hand this time around made the process easier and more streamlined.
No need to worry about which type of refrigerator or table is suitable. If it looks reasonable, fits the space, and is affordable, then we’re ok with it.
Items like this handmade lamp inject personality into home decor. Courtesy of Melissa Noble
It injects more personality into our home
I don’t pay much attention to decor, but shopping on the Marketplace helps add style to our home. For example, when I met a woman selling a bunch of plants and different styles of stands, I snapped it up. It is now one of my favorite areas in my home.
The thrill of hunting is fun
As the weeks went by, I found myself becoming more and more obsessed with buying second-hand items online and in stores. There’s something truly thrilling about finding a beautiful piece for a fraction of its original price.
One of my favorite op store finds is a beautiful oversized white fruit bowl. It says “Made in Italy” underneath and every time I see it I wonder where that bowl’s journey began, who it once belonged to, and how it ended up in my hands.
The large mirror sells for $275. Courtesy of Melissa Noble
I enjoy the bargaining process
We traveled to many countries where bartering is part of the culture, and I secretly enjoyed dusting off those dormant bargaining skills.
When we went to buy a refrigerator we found a dent in the front and I negotiated a $50 price reduction with the seller. Maybe it was a small victory, but it helped us make money.
The sustainability factor attracts us
Giving perfect second-hand furniture a new life instead of landfill makes us feel good about our choices. Along the way we discovered many beautiful pieces, many with their own stories.
There was a beautiful oak dining table and its owner was really sad to part with it because he and his late wife had shared countless meals around it. A stunning king-size bed and bedside tables were purchased from a Scottish man who lived in a high-rise building overlooking the sea. A repurposed lamp, handcrafted by a grandmother and given new life.
Of course, buying second-hand requires patience. Sometimes, you show up only to find that what the seller said was “good condition” is different than what you said. But for us, the trade-off is 100% worth it.
We saved thousands of dollars, relocated the perfect furniture, and ended up with a home that was more interesting than a cookie-cutter arrangement.