We all know that kitting out a nursery can be expensive. There are so many things to consider when piecing together your little one’s room, especially regarding nursery furniture. Everyone has opinions on where to save and where to splurge, but only you know what is best for you and your baby. One thing that is true though, is not everything has to be brand new. Secondhand nursery furniture is such a huge help and you can get hold of some incredible bits at such an affordable price.
When finding second-hand nursery furniture for sale, there are a few things to consider to ensure you’re happy with your purchase and know the safety of your baby is paramount.
Once you’ve ordered the items for your nursery, thoroughly clean and disinfect all furniture before use. If you’re buying from a local seller, ensure you’ve been able to do your own inspection in person before purchasing the item. If it’s available to you, the safest way to ensure the items have been properly cared for would be buying from friends and family, or reputable second-hand stores.
If you’re looking specifically at how to buy second-hand nursery furniture, outside of local sellers, there are fantastic places organised by parents, for parents that can be so helpful. One of these is The Octopus Club, which after signing up, you can browse their website and find all kinds of bits for sale before contacting the seller to arrange a purchase. It’s worth noting that if there’s an issue, you would need to contact the seller directly and then speak with The Octopus Club if you still haven’t heard back within 48 hours, but they aren’t responsible for items bought via their website. However, if there are any issues, members can be reported.
Another popular option for baby furniture sales is the Mum2Mum Market, a business that appeared on Dragons’ Den in 2016 and secured a £35,000 investment. Essentially, the market hosts different stalls in areas across the UK, run by mums for mums. You can host stalls to sell all your second-hand baby bits and also pick up any used nursery furniture for the room while making sure you’re happy with the quality. Sales are held at different times throughout the year, you can find your closest here.
If you have your heart set on a specific set, finding a second-hand nursery set for sale is still possible! Loads of people will buy their sets brand new, so they tend to be sold in a set too. For these kind of things you can look at local seller pages or resale websites to find exactly what you’re after. Alternatively, if you find your dream set at the right time of year, nursery set sales are very common and you could pick up your dream piece for an utter bargain.
Buying second-hand is not your only option when it comes to avoiding a big splurge though! While there are plenty of places you can buy second-hand nursery furniture, you can also hire it. You use it for however long you need, pay installments while you’ve got it, then you send it on back once you’re done with it! Baby site Baboodle offers this service which is perfect for those items that are a bit more short-term, such as a next-to-me crib or a bouncer. For some things, it might even be that you want to test it out via rental before making a big purchase.
Whether you’re a savvy shopper always hunting for the next best sale, a bargain hunter looking for second-hand furniture or you’re keen to try out renting furniture instead, there are options available. Remember, being confident with your purchases and knowing the item is safe for your baby is the priority!
Carly Duffy is a freelance writer for Mother&Baby. She’s a first time mum-to-be and is navigating her new journey towards motherhood, while being passionate about supporting new parents and those trying to conceive. Carly loves spending time with her husband and two dogs, and is looking forward to bringing their first baby into the mix.