papermageling t1_j5cqngd wrote on January 22, 2023 at 1:23 AM

I've inherited some veneer pieces from my grandma, and my parents have a veneered dining room table from the 1920s (admittedly, the veneer there is to be extra fancy, not to save money). These pieces can last if constructed well! But they definitely are more delicate and harder to repair than pure wood.

I don't have advice about buying new though: I love the style, price, and durability of used 100% wood furniture. I picked up a 100% mahogany dresser off FB marketplace for $60. That would have cost thousands new! Admittedly, it could use a bit of refinishing, but that's diy-able, and still cheaper to pay someone to do than buying new.

complywood t1_j5czboc wrote on January 22, 2023 at 2:26 AM

Refinishing is DIY-able, but can be quite difficult, depending on the shape of the wood. The stuff you use to strip polyurethane is absolutely disgusting. And getting stuff professionally refinished can cost quarter to half the price of buying new.

Secondhand is still great and I would recommend it, but it's important to know what you're geting yourself into if you plan to refinish. Touching up or painting over is much easier than re-staining, though (but not as nice of a result).