Scrolling for old

I’ve spoken before about my love for second hand. Those preloved items someone else no longer wants that catches your eye.

With the undeniable facts surrounding materialism and the devastation over-consumerism is having on our planet, the demand for vintage is on the rise.

We are starting to realise the beauty that can be found in charity shops, thrift markets, antique fairs and car boot sales. The demand for thrifting online has seen a sharp increase too. We now have a world of second-hand furniture, vintage clothing and preloved home accessories at our fingertips. We can scroll for aged ceramics, a glass-fronted cabinet or oriental rug without even leaving our sofa. Of course, we can search for these things new online too, but I always find you don’t receive the same buzz. The beauty of second-hand shopping is that you never really know what you’re going to find or in some cases, what you’re even looking for – but you always seem to get so much more for your money.

In addition to wedding season, it seems I have all things vintage on the mind too. Spending many an evening and lunch break scrolling for new furniture items for our home. I rarely buy new furniture, preferring the character (and price tag) that comes with the old.

Not all furniture bought through sites such as Gumtree or eBay need upcycling – and you can almost always find what you’re looking for. I find these pieces hold more memories too – there’s a story attached on where you bought it, who it belonged to, and – certainly in my case – how you struggled to get it in the car and back home.

Whether you’re a recent convert, an avid ‘thrifter’ like myself or you’ve never given it a go, just try searching for an item you’re already on the look-out for. I understand that buying second hand isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve never tried it, the beauty of it might just surprise you…