Motivations vary. It could be the idea that the item has a history. Or perhaps it’s a bit more green—an emphasis on recycling. Or maybe it’s the most enticing motivation of all—they are getting a great piece for a bargain price. But whatever the reason behind it, savvy shoppers are flocking to resale shops and sites when it comes to furnishing their homes.
“I like the idea of repurposing instead of throwing things away and buying new,” says Pat Altenau of Newport, Kentucky. “Plus, there’s the joy of finding that unexpected find—and a deal—I’m always looking for that deal.”
In a recent Homearama in Cincinnati, a new-build home was furnished with a focus on vintage pieces from Everything But The House. Aubrie Welsh, the interior designer of the home suggests, “Buy things that you truly love. Invest in quality pieces even if that means they were pre-loved.” Her associate, Lara Roller adds, “People are mixing in antiques and vintage pieces. There’s an appreciation of the story.”
Whether you are downsizing, upsizing, or just ready to give a room a new look, you may just want to check out a resale or consignment shop in your neighborhood, as well as some of the several online options. Perusing someone else’s discarded treasures is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with a friend, or an evening at home in front of your computer.
In Columbus, Paula Chamblin Aulino with Paula Chamblin Interiors says, Grandview Mercantile and Revue is “one of my go-to sources for fabulous, unique home accessories that add personality to a space. The inventory is constantly changing and just seems to get better and better.”
Here are a few of our favorites with a focus on the greater Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton areas. Please note that most of these businesses have an online presence as well as an Ohio-based showroom or warehouse.
Should your goal be to consign, you will need to make arrangements for a member of their team to preview and approve consigned pieces. Contact each organization for specifics.
EBTH
With millions of subscribed bidders, Cincinnati-based Everything But The House is an online global auction house with a focus on estate sales, home and garden, electronics, art, and more. Every item begins at $1. Items can be picked up at an EBTH warehouse or shipped for a fee.
ebth.com
LEGACIES UPSCALE RESALE
Legacies sells gently used, top quality furniture, home accessories, art, jewelry and more. All proceeds benefit the Cancer Support Community of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Legacies has a physical store in the Hyde Park Plaza in Cincinnati.
Selling/donating: Items can be donated (taxable deduction) or consigned (to receive 50% of sale price).
shoplegacies.com
GRANDVIEW MERCANTILE AND REVUE
In its 22,000-square-foot showroom in Greater Columbus, Grandview Mercantile and Revue offers fine home furnishings including curated antiques and vintage items, plus previously-owned designer and one-of-a-kind furniture, fine art, vintage lighting, decorative accessories and estate jewelry. Hundreds of new finds are delivered daily. Selling: You will receive 50% of the final selling price. Select categories may qualify for adjustments.
grandviewmercantile.com
NEW LIFE FURNITURE THRIFT STORE
Newly opened in June 2022 in Cincinnati’s Sharonville Plaza, New Life Furniture Thrift Store sells select donated furniture and home goods to support their furniture bank’s mission of serving neighbors in need. This is a great place to donate items as well.
nlfurniture.org/thrift-store/
THE DESIGNERS CONSIGNMENT
Purveyors of fine furniture, antiques, collectibles and art, The Designers Consignment was founded in Dayton in 2010, and specializes in high end items that are sold and sourced globally. Most sales are online, but in-person shopping is available by appointment. Selling: 50-50 split on consignments.
thedesignersconsignment.com
TRADING PLACES
Located in the Columbus suburb of Dublin, Trading Places is a 12,500-square-foot store with an ever-changing selection of high-quality furniture pieces and home accents in like new to excellent condition. Selling: Consignment with a 50/50 split.
tradingplacesoh.com
Other home and garden resale options
CINCINNATI AREA
Astute Furnishings: astutefurnishings.com
Mainly Art Vintage Modern Furniture: mainlyart.com
The Snooty Fox Furniture Dens: shopsnooty.com
COLUMBUS AREA
Fresco Furnishings: frescofurnishings.com
New Uses: newuses.com
One More Time Etc.: onemoretimeetc.com
Upscale Resale Furnishings: upscaleresalefurnishings.com
DAYTON AREA
Home2Home: hometohome.com
Places to donate furniture and homegoods for a cause
If you are looking to donate, rather than consign, the following organizations are great options, all benefitting a social cause.
Building Value
Building Value is a Cincinnati-based, social enterprise powered by Easter Seals that salvages reusable construction materials for sale to the public.
buildingvalue.org
Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
The mission of the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio is to reduce the impact of poverty by providing furniture to Central Ohio families and individuals struggling with severe life challenges.
furniturebankcoh.org
New Life
Nationally registered furniture bank serving Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, and Northern Kentucky seeking to help end the cycle of homelessness.
nlfurniture.org
Heirloom’s Shoppe
Heirloom’s Resale Shoppe benefits hospice patients in the Dayton area. They sell gently-used second hand furniture, household items, decor, antiques, collectibles, and other accessories. All of Heirloom’s inventory is donated by members of the Dayton community.
hospiceofdayton.org/heirlooms-shoppes
ReStore
Habitat for Humanity ReStores sell donated new and used appliances, furniture, cabinets, building products and household items.
habitatcincinnati.org/restore
daytonhabitat.org
habitatmidohio.org/restore
Editor’s note: The items featured on these pages are a representation of the types of products these businesses sell and most likely not currently available.
Housetrends plans to update these listings on our website. If you know of a business that should be added to this list, or of any updates we should make, please write: publishers@housetrends.com.
Article by Karen Bradner
Article originally appeared in July 2022