10 Steps to Shopping Secondhand

Buying secondhand takes time, imagination, and a few risks, but not only is purchasing preloved better for our planet, it's great fun, too

- By Jennifer Morgan

1 THINK BIG

Secondhand home shopping isn't limited to furniture. You can buy a whole kitchen, with preowned or ex-display ones a great way of making your budget go further. The Used Kitchen Exchange (uke.co.uk) says that a used kitchen could save up to seven tonnes of carbon (depending on size), which would make a family of four carbon-neutral for at least 12 months. They recommend that if you are buying a secondhand kitchen locally, ask to view it prior to purchase. If buying online, ask for lots of photos that show every angle and that show details close up. And when it comes to layout, buying a kitchen bigger than you need gives you more flexibility in terms of reconfiguring it for your space.

2 Spot potential

Don't dismiss preloved furniture because you hate the colour; there are so many options available to hack secondhand buys. Paint is the obvious choice. Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint doesn't even need a primer and is great for updating the orangey pine furniture of the 1990s. Try painting something neutral on the outside and then add a flash of vibrant colour on the inside; it'll make you smile every time you open a drawer or a wardrobe,' says Annie. 'Colour brings joy so be bold with it!'

3 Discover your local boot sale

It might mean an early start and certainly, you'll need to know what fits in your car, but boot sales are great for furniture finds. 'I have one near me where the vans from house clearances go - it's great for furniture to upcycle,' says Emma Morton Turner, founder of Inside Stylists (insidestylists.com). 'It's on hardstanding, so it's even open in winter.'