At the beginning of the summer, I had great ambitions to clean closets in this house. I have to admit the nice weather, travel and fun-packed days have meant I haven’t accomplished as much of this as I would like, but there’s been little desire to sit in a closet and purge. I do recognize that it’s a necessity every so often in our smallish house. Not only because storage is an issue, but because reducing what we own feels great. Our goal this year is to have less stuff.
However, that doesn’t mean I’m not buying anything at all. I still need a few things to get me through the summer (why don’t I have enough t-shirts?) and there are times when buying something for the house actually helps make it better (like a storage item).
If you bring something into the house, you should also send something out, right? I think that’s a good motto.
When I am shopping, I have been turning more to buying used, or previously loved items. Not only is it less expensive than buying new, but you have the added benefit of reusing – one of the three eco words that we like (reduce, reuse and recycle)!
Wondering what you can buy used and what items you should set aside for donating? Here are some ideas.
3 things to buy used, and 3 things to donate
Buy Used:
1) Books
Recipe books, novels, kids books – there are endless possibilities when you buy used. You can be a little adventurous with your book selections and try something you might not otherwise have picked up, or search to add to your favourite series. Books are a great investment!
2) Clothing
Trends come and go, and buying used is one way to reduce the cost and stress when updating your wardrobe. Another reason buying used clothing is great? You are helping reduce how much is going to the landfill. I not only find clothing for myself when shopping for previously loved pieces, but for the kids as well.
Think about looking for accessories and shoes too. These items can be costly new, and you sometimes will only wear them a couple of times per year.
3) Home Decor
Sure, you’ll run into some previously loved pieces that feel like you are trying to design your house to look like it’s the 80s again, but look beyond those items and find the real gems. By buying used home decor items, you can transfer a drab room into something fabulous for a lot less. Maybe this season you are all about turquoise, but come Fall you will want something in a deep purple. Swap out small accent pieces to really find the look you want.
Donate:
1) Clothes
There are items that don’t fit anymore, that you just aren’t wearing, that the kids don’t fit into and more. Our closets are constantly in rotation so the best way to clear them out is to ask yourself some questions about what should stay and what should go, and donate some to local and national non-profits at Value Village. Easy.
2) Furniture
The office chair that doesn’t belong anywhere, or the small end table that you’ve replaced and is now taking up space in your house can go. There are many second-hand furniture finds that make their way into new homes, be redecorated or re-purposed. Pinterest is full of inspiration, right? It doesn’t mean we should hold onto everything.
3) Dishes
Are you like me and collect (without meaning to) dishes? Between casserole dishes that I was given when I moved into my apartment at 19 years old, ones that we received for wedding gifts and ones that I’ve picked up on sale, I have way too many casserole dishes. If I were hosting the largest ever potluck, then maybe they would all get use at once, otherwise, they are in great shape but some need to go.
What are your favourite finds when second-hand shopping? What’s in your donate box at home?
disclosure: This post is in partnership with Value Village and I was compensated for it. All opinions are my own.
