The saying goes- one person’s junk, it another one’s treasure. And we couldn’t agree more, we find lots of treasures but it doesn’t always come easy. Here are a few tips on how to shop for reclaimed & recycled materials.
Be prepared.
Some of our staple items when we are out looking.
A list- make sure you have a list of things you are on the look for including any and all measurements for your space. We keep digital measurement files so we always have our measurements on hand if we stumble on something awesome. Our most current list had all sorts of random items we were looking for!
Your budget- know what you are willing to spend. We suggest shopping around online to see what it would cost to buy something new before you go. There are certain things that you are better off buying new for convenience , to make sure they fit and to get something back in working order. Often times, stores that sell reclaimed materials do not offer returns. Sometimes it is worth it to spend a little more on reclaimed materials for character or to get something to match a current product. And remember, free doesn’t always save you money in the long run. Either way, know your limit and what you are trying to accomplish.
Phone- so you have pictures of your space when you are shopping, any inspirational design photos and so you can take pictures of items of you find. If you find something you like but are unsure ask them to hold it so you can finalize any details before you buy. If you put money down or pay in full for an item, ask them to take it off the floor for you- we have learned the hard way on this. Make sure to take photos and measurements of the item before you head home. A phone also comes in handy to call your resident carpenter 17 times when you are at the store to get input.
Wipes - because picking gets dirty!
Know what you want and be patient. I shop at traditional box stores & online and I pick out exactly what I want before I go looking for an alternative. At our Big Bluestem Market Collective project, we have a wood floor that needs to transition into a tile floor and I really loved the look of hex tiles & terracotta tiles being cut to fit into the wood floor- kind of like a Tetris game. Hex tiles and terracotta tiles start at $5/sq foot which is not cheap (don’t forget that tile requires underlayment, mortar, grout and sealer too). I looked around and found a cheaper square alternative that I liked but it was still going to cost me $3/sq foot. I found the same product at a local Habitat for Humanity store for $.92/sq foot. The colors were limited but still something I liked and for that price, I can be flexible and make it work in the design. It pays to be patient and keep looking, eventually you will find what you are looking for.