Two years ago, my partner and I bought a 5-room resale flat. While we were excited about the prospect of owning our own home, it was difficult having to afford a new flat while we were in our 20s.
Our flat needed extensive work and renovation costs for resale flats are typically higher than a BTO flat due to hefty hidden costs such as rewiring and hacking, so we blew about $70,000 of our savings on our renovation.
Broke but happy, we moved into our home. We didn’t have anything in our home at that time, just a foldable queen-sized IKEA mattress paired with a tacky old white bedsheet decorated with bright red hearts. We would put our queen-sized mattress in the living room, and live in the home as if it was a chalet.
As the months went by, we took the time to slowly furnish our home, and here’s how it looks like today:
TL;DR: Here’s How Much We Saved Thrifting Furniture For Our New Home
| Area | Item | Original Price | What I Got It For | Amount Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living | Custom L Shape Sofa | $3,200 | $780 | $2,420 |
| Living | Plant Rack | NIL | Free | NIL |
| Living | Coffee Table | $280 | $80 | $200 |
| Living | Solid Teak Dining Table from Soul and Tables | $1,700 | $450 | $1,250 |
| Living | Solid Teak Dining Chairs and Bench | $400 for 2 chairs $300 for bench | $100 | $600 |
| Living | Rattan Round Nesting Chair | $400 | $60 | $340 |
| Living | TV Console | $900 | $200 | $700 |
| Living | Second Fridge from Hitachi | $1,389 | $200 | $1,189 |
| Kitchen | Fridge from Fischer and Paykel | $1,500 | $150 | $1,350 |
| Kitchen | Breville Coffee Machine | $1,200 | $800 | $400 |
| Gym | Full Gym Set - Bike, Pull Up Bar, Squat Rack and Bar, Weight Plates, Kettlebells, Yoga Mat, Dumbells | $3,500 | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Room | Lounge Chair | $150 | $60 | $90 |
| Room | Pottery Wheel | $400 | $80 | $320 |
| Total | $15,319 | $3,960 | $11,359 |
Why we decided to thrift second-hand furniture for our new home
We mainly decided to thrift most of our furniture second hand due to the following reasons:
First, we were broke. After spending $70,000 on renovations, we were unwilling to spend $350 for a single dining chair or blow $4,000 on a sofa. Furnishing costs add up, and we were not comfortable blowing another $15-20,000 on furniture.
Second, my partner and I strongly believe in living sustainably. We mostly live by the philosophy that there is no inherent value in material goods, other than serving a functional purpose.
Being a bit more environmentally conscious, we found that it is wasteful to buy everything brand new when we could give a second lease of life to things that would otherwise been thrown away. We would also rather spend on experiences, such as going overseas, as compared to material items.
That said, hygiene factors are also important when it comes to purchasing second-hand items. We will only thrift things that are high quality and well-maintained, or those that we are able to clean thoroughly. Personal items like beds and old mattresses are things that we wouldn’t get off Carousell, mainly because they can be rather unhygienic.
Lastly, we once thought of getting most of our furniture from Taobao, but after some discussion, we realised that we prefer better quality furniture that will last us through time, as compared to something that is brand new, but of lower quality.
By thrifting most of our items, we are able to take our time to look for sellers that are selling better quality, branded furniture, or items that are made of a better material.
Furniture That We Thrifted On Carousell And How Much It Costs
In the past year, we’ve managed to source 90% of our household items from second-hand marketplaces like Carousell and Facebook Marketplace.
We’ve had some incredible finds – such as a brand-new custom-made sofa that was sold to us by a lovely expat couple. They bought the sofa for $3,200 at a local furniture store, where they custom-made the fabric so that it is water-resistant and spill-proof. The sofa took 3 months to be delivered to their home. At that time, they got an unexpected call from their company to migrate to Switzerland, so they had to sell their sofa as they packed for the big move.
I also got a solid teak dining table from Soul and Tables (previously Ethnicraft) in brand new condition at a third of the retail price, as well as a full gym set, and other solid wood furniture at a fraction of its original price. We even got a vintage cane plant rack from a relative for free!
Of course, there have been hits and misses in our thrifting journey. There were times when we had to deal with items that were in a poorer condition than advertised, such as our second-hand fridges. My partner and I spent 2 hours deep cleaning the fridges, gloves, and sponges in hand as we scrubbed, sanitised, and aired the fridges to restore them to a condition where we are comfortable with using them.
Delivery arrangements and the effort it takes to coordinate are also hidden costs we have to factor in, as it takes additional effort and money to deliver the items to our home.
Below is a full breakdown of the items we thrift. I scoured the internet to find the original prices (or a good estimate based on the same brands) for the items that we’ve got, and the prices we paid (inclusive of delivery) for them.
| Area | Item | Original Price | What I Got It For | Amount Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living | Custom L Shape Sofa | $3,200 | $780 | $2,420 |
| Living | Plant Rack | NIL | Free | NIL |
| Living | Coffee Table | $280 | $80 | $200 |
| Living | Solid Teak Dining Table from Soul and Tables | $1,700 | $450 | $1,250 |
| Living | Solid Teak Dining Chairs and Bench | $400 for 2 chairs $300 for bench | $100 | $600 |
| Living | Rattan Round Nesting Chair | $400 | $60 | $340 |
| Living | TV Console | $900 | $200 | $700 |
| Living | Second Fridge from Hitachi | $1,389 | $200 | $1,189 |
| Kitchen | Fridge from Fischer and Paykel | $1,500 | $150 | $1,350 |
| Kitchen | Breville Coffee Machine | $1,200 | $800 | $400 |
| Gym | Full Gym Set - Bike, Pull Up Bar, Squat Rack and Bar, Weight Plates, Kettlebells, Yoga Mat, Dumbells | $3,500 | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Room | Lounge Chair | $150 | $60 | $90 |
| Room | Pottery Wheel | $400 | $80 | $320 |
| Total | $15,319 | $3,960 | $11,359 |
9 Hacks for Buying Second-Hand Furniture on Carousell
1. Sort by “Recent” for Fresh Listings
By default, Carousell shows you listings based on “best match.” However, to stay ahead of the competition and find the newest items, it’s best to filter your search results by “recent.” This way, you’ll be able to browse through the latest listings and have a better chance of snagging that perfect piece before someone else does.
2. Try to Get A Video of The Product, Or Ask Detailed Questions About The Condition
One of the biggest mistakes I made was not being detailed in finding out about the condition of an item. For example, I found a scratch on my coffee table when it was delivered to me, and I wasn’t able to determine whether or not it was something the seller didn’t disclose, or if it was a mistake made by my delivery driver.
In hindsight, asking for a video of the product would have given me a better sense of the condition.
While many sellers provide descriptions of their items, terms like “lightly used” or “very good” can be subjective. To ensure you know exactly what you’re getting, don’t be afraid to ask the seller specific questions about the item’s condition. Some important questions to consider include:
- What are the dimensions of the item?
- How easily do the drawers open and close?
- What kind of plug does the item use?
- When was the last time the item was cleaned?
- How stable is the item?
Asking these questions will help you make an informed decision and avoid any unpleasant surprises when the item arrives.
3. Broaden Your Search Terms
While you may have a specific item in mind, not all sellers provide detailed descriptions. To increase your chances of finding what you’re looking for, try using more general search terms. For example, instead of searching for a “vintage rattan plant display,” try searching for “vintage display cabinet” or “rattan display.” You might be surprised at the variety of options that come up.
4. Utilise the Photo Search Function
Did you know that the Carousell app has a photo search function? This handy feature allows you to upload an image of an item you love and find similar listings or discounted versions of it. Simply save a photo of the item onto your phone and upload it via the search bar in the app. This can save you a lot of time and effort in finding exactly what you’re looking for.
5. Be Quick to Make Offers
When you come across a truly great find on Carousell, don’t hesitate to make an offer. Affordable, high-quality items in good condition tend to get snatched up quickly. Try negotiating the listed price whenever possible.
Sellers of large furniture items usually want to get rid of their items quickly, so being able to arrange for delivery and dealing fast may give you room to negotiate the price.
6. Get Creative with Restoration Projects
Sometimes, you may come across a heavily discounted or even free item on Carousell that requires a little TLC. If you’re up for a project, consider restoring the item yourself. With a little paint, varnish, or upholstery work, you can transform a worn-out piece into something beautiful and unique. Check out tutorials and inspiration online for DIY restoration ideas.
7. Set a Browsing Time Limit
Browsing through countless listings on Carousell can be time-consuming. To avoid spending hours on the app, set a specific time limit for browsing each day. This will help you stay focused and prevent the app from becoming a time-consuming distraction. Remember, there will always be new listings, so prioritize your search and don’t get too hung up on missed opportunities.
8. Check for Delivery Options
When purchasing furniture on Carousell, it’s important to consider how you’ll get the item home. Some sellers may offer delivery services, while others may require you to arrange your own transportation. Take this into account when making your decision and factor in any additional costs or logistics involved in getting the furniture to your desired location.
For me, I rely on two delivery drivers: One was an official moving company, where the delivery riders would professionally bubble wrap the items and bring them to you carefully. This costs about $70-120 per trip, and I engage their services for the larger, and more precious items like the sofa, TV console, teak table, and fridges.
For lower-value items such as the chairs, bench, pottery wheel, and coffee table, I engage my regular freelance delivery rider from a Telegram delivery group. This costs about $30-60 per trip.
9. Trust Your Instincts
Lastly, trust your instincts when buying furniture on Carousell. If something feels off or too good to be true, it’s better to err on the side of caution. While Carousell can be a great platform for finding affordable furniture, it’s important to exercise due diligence and ensure that you’re making a safe and reliable purchase.
With a little patience and creativity, it is possible to get quality furniture at an affordable price. We hope that sharing this article would help defray the cost of furnishing for new homeowners like ourselves. Don’t hesitate to drop us a DM if you have any questions. Happy hunting!