When you need a better sofa, selling the old one is often one of the first items on the to-do list. We can’t blame most people for thinking this.
However, there’s more you can do with an old sofa here. By selling it, you may be missing out on better ways to go about things. Here are some ideas!
Put in Storage
You don’t need to make any hasty decisions just yet. If you’re in a position where you’re not entirely sure what to do with your old sofa, that’s perfectly valid!
For example, you could pop the old sofa into storage with Safestore, who have a range of affordable units across the UK to look after people’s goods of any size and volume across London. Their services can be used by businesses, students, or regular homeowners, so regardless of your situation, your old sofa can have a new home here for as long as you need, and the units are covered by 24-hour CCTV and intruder alarms. You’re also the sole key holder for your unit, too.
Of course, some people feel a deep sense of sentimental value in their old furniture. Instead of saying goodbye, you could wait for the day when you might use the old sofa again (such as if you want to upsize one day).
Repurpose the Old Sofa
Repurposing an old sofa is a great way to keep it in your life under new measures. Instead of adhering to the old mantra of ‘out with the old, in with the new’, you can strike a healthy middle ground.
You could repurpose your old sofa into:
- A DIY storage bench.
- A bed for any dogs and cats in your life.
- A sofabed for overnight guests.
- An outdoor bench for garden parties.
Remember, you don’t necessarily need to repurpose the entirety of the old sofa if you don’t want to. For instance, you could decide to only repurpose the fabric and embark on the upholstery project on other projects you’ve got going on. You could make bags, pillows, curtains, or even just random art to express yourself. You might even be tempted to use the wooden frame for firewood. Get creative!
Rent Out the Old Sofa
An increasing number of people are renting their furniture rather than buying it today. It may be the right time to jump on that.
You’ll need to ensure the sofa is in good condition and that there’s a contractual basis for these arrangements. Insurance and advertising costs can be necessary too. Still, renting out your sofa (and other spare furniture) can be worthwhile if you’re willing to do all of that.
Moreover, renting is often seen as being more sustainable. If you live by those greener rules, you could also promote some eco-friendly measures.
Donate the Old Sofa
Charitable donations come with many benefits. Sadly, in 2019 it was reported that a third of UK adults disposed of furniture that could have been reused or recycled. Four years later, things should change.
Well, donating your old sofa is a great way to reduce waste. If you’re a big fan of sustainable causes, donating your old sofa might be best for you. You can give the sofa to charities, shelters, or any other type of non-profit organisation that can reuse the sofa or recycle its materials. The circular economy gets a boost, and you could play a role in reducing the need for greenhouse gas-heavy manufacturing processes for brand-new sofas.
You’d also be taking care of your community not just through the environment but also from a more social perspective. Charitable organisations that help the homeless or those suffering from natural disasters may give the sofa to those most in need. Your donation could make a huge difference in those circumstances, giving people a comfortable place to rest and recoup.
