Second-Hand, Not Second Best: A Case for Sustainable, Restored Furniture

Every year in the UK, we throw away around 22 million pieces of furniture — a total of 1.6 million tonnes. Most of it ends up in landfill or is incinerated.

As we all try to lead more conscious and sustainable lives, there’s still a disconnect when it comes to buying furniture. Why does the idea of second-hand furniture still feel second-rate?

In a 2021 consumer survey, participants were asked to name the most important factors when buying new furniture. Environmental reasons came last. Even among those committed to sustainable living, top priorities remained design, function, and convenience. Materials, carbon footprint, and ethics mattered — but less so, and often only when easy to evaluate. Many of us have experienced the surprise of a ‘ready-to-ship’, UK-made item with a 13-week lead time.

Why Do We Still Buy New Furniture?

Many of us have some second-hand furniture at home. The thrill is often in the chase: hunting for exactly what we need through auction houses and flea markets. But the majority (75.2% of the Green Interior survey respondents) still always buy new furniture it comes to buying larger items, the majority still opt for new.

Why? The main reasons were quality assurance and inconvenience.

And that’s understandable. Quality, in particular, is often confused with condition. A small mark or faded finish can feel like a flaw — even though the underlying construction might be far superior to today’s fast-made furniture. Meanwhile, brand-new pieces can look pristine and still be poorly made.

Convenience is another hurdle. Buying second-hand furniture can mean scrolling through auction lots with blurry photos and vague condition reports. It might involve extra fees, quick collection windows, expensive shipping — and no option to return the item if it’s not quite right.

How Can We Buy More Second Hand Furniture?

Understandably, finding a trusted retailer of new furniture may start to look significantly easier and possibly better value, without any surprises and reasonable shipping to your door at a day of your choosing. But what if there was an easier way to buy quality-assured second hand furniture? 

At Summerfield & Scott, we’ve made it our mission to offer a better alternative: second-hand furniture that’s already been restored — checked, repaired, and ready to go.

We specialise in sustainable antique and vintage furniture, restored using a blend of traditional techniques and modern care. Each piece is selected for its character and construction, then revived to be both beautiful and practical. It’s second-hand — but thoughtfully restored, fully functional, and with no hidden surprises.

Quality, Convenience and a Lighter Footprint

Well-made furniture shouldn’t be disposable. Our Restored Collection makes it easy to choose pieces with integrity — the kind of furniture that fits into your home today, and will last long into the future.

It’s also sustainable by nature. Rather than contributing to the cycle of overproduction, restored furniture gives existing materials a second life. That means lower carbon impact, less waste, and more value in every piece.

Our collection is always ready to ship, with new items added regularly. Whether you’re furnishing a country house, city home, or single room, our restored antique and vintage furniture offers a simpler, more conscious way to furnish — with no compromise on style or substance.