As someone who tries to live sustainably and combat overconsumption, furnishing a home can invoke feelings of guilt & dread. The bulk-manufactured furniture? The wasteful and polluting dyes and materials? Surprise international shipping? A girl just needs somewhere to sit. But when we consider shopping secondhand, we’re told horror stories of dirt, bugs, and general ickiness that can enter our homes with used furniture.
Luckily, incremental steps toward living more sustainably and reducing overconsumption are meaningful! You may not furnish your space 100% secondhand down to the mattress, but I’m here to help you move in the right direction.
Here are my top 5 picks for home decor pieces that can safely and stylishly be bought secondhand or upcycled, as someone who creates and sells them myself:
5. Decorative Mirrors
Mirrors are essential to a space. They are not only an excellent way to add depth and light to a room, but are also used every day, making them very impactful to the overall environment. Upcycled mirrors provide an opportunity to find character-rich frames that can serve as colorful and unique statement pieces. Don’t let that opportunity go to waste! Here are some of the ways One One Thousand Studio has created one-of-a-kind mirrors that are focal points in our customers’ homes:
4. Small Kitchen & Wall Decor
A huge task in filling a space is decorating the walls and heavily-used spaces. You’ll end up purchasing pieces like photo & poster frames, plant pots, coasters, and vases. You may even find pieces you didn’t know you needed - before I upcycled these adorable banana holders, I had never seen one in my life. Now I have a kitchen with personality!
Challenge yourself not to give in to the cookie-cutter accessories you see at Target or Wayfair, and instead search for small pieces with character that could use a second life.
3. Dining Chairs
Dining chairs are a super fun way to liven up your space secondhand. They aren’t usually heavy on fabric and padding, so there’s little risk of bringing grime or smells into your home. Despite having less surface area, if you get the right ones they can add a ton of personality! There are opportunities for pops of color in seat cushions, interesting seat back shapes, and unique paint jobs. And despite what we’ve been taught, they don’t have to match. An intentional set of mismatched but one-of-a-kind chairs can be the main statement in an eclectic or maximalist space.
2. Shelves & Storage
Don’t forget - your space can’t only be aesthetic. You’re going to need places to put real things. Solid wood bookshelves and shelving units are often built to last, making them perfect candidates for secondhand and upcycled shopping. Even though these pieces are functional, they do not have to be boring! Find a revamped shelving unit with a colorful palette, or a chest of drawers that draws the eye. We can help get you started - check out One One Thousand's available pieces for any recently upcycled shelving units!
1. Tables of all kinds!
All this to say...
The environment in our homes can make or break our day-to-day mindset, so filling them intentionally is incredibly important. That said, it doesn't need to be wasteful - we can take steps toward furnishing our spaces sustainably!
I look around my home with pride that I found colorful & eco-friendly home decor that would’ve otherwise gone to waste, and I try to help others do the same. Any single piece you buy secondhand is one that is not manufactured new, and that matters.
In the process of shopping intentionally, you will without a doubt create a more unique, cheerful, and special space. Take this opportunity to toss expectations aside, dream big, and make it your own!
Looking for something that fits your specific vision? Commission an upcycled piece with One One Thousand and tailor it to your unique space, or check out our currently available pieces!