How to Know If It Is Time to Replace Your Furniture

12 September 2022

The life expectancy of furniture varies greatly depending on the materials used, the quality of craftsmanship, how much use it has endured, and how well it was taken care of.

With that said, it can be hard to know when the time has come to replace your furniture.

Some furniture is timeless and will be passed down through generations, but inevitably there will be pieces that do not last that long and need to be replaced.

How do I know when it’s time to replace my furniture?

If you are wondering if it’s time to replace your furniture, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to help with your decision.

Is the fabric of the furniture stained, ripped, or damaged in a way that is beyond repair?
Is this piece of furniture still comfortable to sit on?
Does this piece still fit in with your style, or do you want to change up the look of the room?
Does it still fit where you need it to fit?
Do you have the funds to replace this piece of furniture?

When to consider buying new furniture

Couch and sofa set

Are the cushions sagging, does the couch or sofa creak and moan when you sit on it, and is the lumbar support gone?

Another indication that it’s time for new furniture is the condition of the upholstery. Is the upholstery stained, ripped, or smelly? You can clean the upholstery or even reupholster your couch and sofa set, but sometimes it’s beyond repair, and you are better off buying a new set.

Reclining chair

The same applies to reclining chairs used for couch and sofa sets, but with the addition of if the reclining function is working. If the chair no longer reclines, you can have it serviced if the chair is in otherwise good condition, but if the integrity of the chair and the reclining function is no longer functional, it may be time to consider a new chair.

Coffee and end tables

Coffee and end tables are subjected to a lot of wear and tear. They get feet put on them, hot and cold drinks without coasters, spills, and everyday use. It’s ideal for replacing them when they become wobbly, they are no longer nice to look at, or you are changing the style of the room, and they no longer fit the bill.

Dining room table set

Dining room tables are prone to wear and tear from everyday use. They can get scratched, dinged, and become lackluster before they become unstable. You can resurface the table and even restore the chairs if they start to suffer much damage but still have a good structure. Often people replace table sets when they need to downsize or upsize.

Mattress

Your mattress is likely to be your home’s most used piece of furniture. Your mattress will last for years, possibly decades, if taken care of properly. When you notice that you are not getting a good night’s sleep due to not being comfortable, or your mattress has an odor, rips, or is sagging are good indicators that a new mattress is in store for you.

Bed frame

When your bed frame starts to creak, it’s a good sign that it needs to be replaced soon. The silver lining is that you do not need to replace your footboard and headboard, only the rails, which is good news for your pocketbook.

Dresser

A dresser should be replaced when the frame becomes wobbly and the drawers no longer open and close easily. This can apply to any type of storage with pull-out drawers.

Office chair

The life span of your office chair will rely a lot on the make of the chair and the quality of it. Frayed upholstery no longer offering lumbar support or being generally uncomfortable to sit in is a good indication that a new office chair is in order.

Desk

Desks are similar to dressers. If they become wobbly or the drawers are no longer opening and closing smoothly, it’s time to start shopping for a new one.

What to do with your old furniture?

You have decided you need some new furniture, but what do you do with the old one?

Have a big garbage day. If your furniture is truly garbage, you can call your local sanitation department and request to have a large item on garbage day or ask them what the rules are for putting furniture out for garbage day. Usually, you can schedule for your next garbage day. Once you have the garbage pickup scheduled, haul your furniture to the curb, and that’s it.
Sell it. There are so many options for these days to sell your stuff online. If the furniture is still in good shape or can be restored, put it up for sale online or have a yard sale. It’s best to be realistic with the price; you may have paid a good chunk of change for it, but it is now second-hand and in used condition.
Donate it. Call around local thrift stores, charities, or homeless shelters and ask if they accept furniture donations. Most places would be thrilled to have furniture donated, and they may even be able to pick it up.
Give it away. If your child, a niece, nephew, or you know a young adult just setting out on their own, furniture is a significant expense, and being given furniture can save them a lot of money. Ask around. You might be surprised who is interested in taking it off your hands.

Conclusion

There are tell-tale signs when it comes time to replace your furniture.

I hope you feel confident in your decision on whether your not its time to get rid of your furniture after reading this article.