Looking to furnish that new apartment? How to find the best buys around Burlington.

Moving into a new apartment can be both exciting and overwhelming. As a college student on a budget who recently did just that, I quickly realized how expensive and wasteful buying new furniture and home essentials could be. I also know that the furniture I would be buying would only last me a couple of years. I decided to search for used furniture, and I learned a lot along the way.

Before you start

I set some boundaries of how much I was willing to spend, what sort of items I was looking for, and the distance I was willing to travel to find pieces I liked. Because I was determined to stick to my rules, my hunt lasted over a month, and I am still looking for patio furniture. Actually, something that I learned is a lot of stuff is seasonal. Looking for used Adirondack chairs in summer is not very easy.

Buying used furniture requires lots of patience and flexibility. I revisited a lot of stores and sites to see if any new items had come in. For some items, I had to make the hard choice of functionality over aesthetics.

Thrift stores

I started my adventure at Goodwill in Williston and South Burlington. Goodwill is a great place to find simple essentials like kitchenware and lamps. I got a few bowls and a pot that I had been looking for.

My roommates and I also scored a new deck of cards for a dollar and eight albums for 50 cents each that we used for wall decorations. The Goodwill in South Burlington has tons of old records. I am not sure how well they play, but they make for fun wall art!

I also found a beautiful mirror with a wooden frame at ReSOURCE in Williston.

ReSource and Habitat ReStore in Williston are better than Goodwill for finding larger furniture items. Most of the desks and chairs are in pretty good shape and are at a fraction of the price compared to buying new ones. However, if you're looking for a specific design or size, online resellers may be better. Resell stores like the ones I mentioned primarily run on a donation basis, so they are at the whim of what others don't want. They will turn away items that are in really bad shape, but a lot of their stuff is outdated and a little worn. On the other hand, these stores are also nonprofits, and their proceeds go to various poverty relief programs.

Online shopping

Front Porch Forum, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace are good options when buying used. These platforms connect local sellers with potential buyers, making it easy to find specific styles of used furniture.

I am a little cautious about buying online for a few reasons. Often I will contact a seller and it turns out it's a scam, the item may already be gone, or it is in way worse condition than the photos showed.

I recommend looking for dimensions and tons of photos before you invest in a trip to pick up an item that turns out to be something you don't even want. Be sure you also have a way to transport the item back to your apartment. More often than not, that is the buyer's responsibility.

My roommate was able to find a TV stand on Facebook Marketplace that fit our living room perfectly and gave us additional storage space. I think finding furniture that serves more than one purpose is another great way to save.

Taking advantage of people moving out

In addition to thrift stores, I also took advantage of other people's moving situations. Through group chats, friends, and even curbside finds, I was able to get a television, a clean couch, and two lamps without spending a dime.

Typically I would avoid upholstered items or fabric, but because I knew and trusted the previous owner of the couch, I felt a little more comfortable.

Driving around Burlington, especially in May when college students are moving out of their apartments, is another great way to find used furniture. I spotted numerous desks, dining chairs, side tables, and even mattresses during graduation season. Many graduating seniors also advertise items they're willing to give away or sell on club and team group chats, making it a great way to find free or inexpensive furniture.

Contact Free Press staff writer Isabella Infante at iinfante@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: How to find good used furniture in the Burlington area