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You have to make sure you’re buying the right pieces for your home, but it can be challenging to know when it’s time to replace your furniture. When does an old chair stop being salvageable? When should you get rid of that bed frame that makes noise? We’ve got some tips on when and why replacing your furniture is best.
You Cannot Clean it Like Before
There’s a reason you’re struggling to get rid of stains and dirt. Your furniture may be out of date. Furniture older than 20 years can become more challenging to maintain because fibers start breaking down. The same goes for antiques, often made from more fragile materials and require special care.
Infested With Bugs and Termites
If you see evidence of a bug infestation in your furniture—like little holes, mounds of dirt, and egg casings—you should replace it. Termites eat the wood that makes most furniture and can be challenging to detect. If termites are eating your furniture, you’ll need to replace them sooner than later.
Unsafe and Wobbly
If your furniture is unstable, it’s a safety hazard, so keep this in mind even if you are shopping from a vintage furniture store. You should be able to sit down confidently on your sofa and feel that it won’t give way beneath you. To check for stability, pull out the legs of any piece of furniture (as well as any drawers) and see if they slide back in quickly. If not, those pieces will need to be replaced or repaired before you can use them safely again.
Your Family Has Outgrown Them
Your family has changed, and so should your furniture. If you have kids, you know that they grow up fast. Your child’s bedroom is likely to be the first place you need to consider updating your furniture as they age and their needs change. While they may still fit on a twin bed at the beginning of preschool, by high school, they’ll likely be too big (and too tall) for something so small.
It Doesn’t Fit Into Your Apartment Anymore
You may have to get rid of your large furniture if you have a small apartment. If that’s the case or vice versa, it’s time for a change. You might find that your new living space is better suited for one type of furniture than another and will force you to replace some items with more appropriately sized ones.
They seem to be Falling Apart.
The first sign that it may be time to replace your furniture is if you can see the wood or metal of their frame showing. Also, keep an eye out for stuffing peeking through holes in upholstery, as this could mean that there are tears underneath. Unless you have purchased a piece from a vintage furniture store and want that deconstructed look, furniture falling apart is bad.
You’ve Already Done All You Can For It
The first step in determining whether or not your furniture needs to be replaced is to see if you can do anything about its condition. If you’ve tried everything from cleaning to staining and nothing has worked, it’s time for new furniture.
- You’ve tried cleaning it, and nothing has worked (scratches, spills)
- You’ve tried repairing any tears or damages with no success (tears, broken pieces)
- You’ve tried moving your items around in different places, but they still look bad (light leakages).
Conclusion
You’re probably not going to replace all of your furniture if you see one or two of these signs, but they indicate that it may be time for some new pieces. Let us know if we missed out on any signs.