Why buying and selling furniture at auction is eco-friendly

Anderson and Garland auctioneers hold regular furniture auctions in Newcastle and are renowned for our expertise in antiques and furniture valuations. Learn why antique furniture is an environmentally friendly choice and find out about buying and selling furniture at auction:

Go green: sell your unwanted furniture at auction

You recycle wine bottles and cardboard, so why would you send larger items like old bookcases to the landfill?

Every year in the UK, 1.6m tonnes of furniture and other bulky waste is thrown out and either buried in a landfill or burned in an incinerator, according to a report from Suez UK.

It’s cliché but true: your rubbish may be another’s treasure, so why not consider selling your unwanted furniture, rugs, decorations or other potentially valuable items at auction? You might be surprised at how valuable they turn out to be – and it’s much better for the Earth for things to be in use instead of in the ground.

Here’s a great example: a lady from Hexham in the North East of England recently found this painting of Christ resurrected in a skip. She brought it to our auction house in Newcastle and it sold at auction for £150!

Italian School, Christ crucified, attended by two Saints, oil on canvas, sold for £150 in the Fine Art Auction.

Those of you in the North East and surrounding areas that are interested in clearing out your house, downsizing, redecorating or moving house could benefit massively from selling your furniture and other assets at auction.

Simply request a free pre-sale valuation online or ring us on 0191 430 3000 to arrange an appointment with our auctioneers who can advise on the potential value of your items.

Why antique furniture is more eco-friendly:

Research comparing antique to modern versions of the same piece of furniture has found that newer furniture has a carbon impact sixteen times higher than its antique counterpart, demonstrating that antiques are undoubtedly the ‘greener’ option.

We live in a throwaway culture, where ‘fast fashion’ not only applies to clothing – it’s far too common for people to invest in cheaply made furniture that does not last the test of time. However, upcycling antique furniture is a much better choice - not only for the environment but for your wallet AND your Instagram!

Antique furniture lasts longer

Modern products are designed to last a season instead of a lifetime, but with antiques, that’s not the case. The fact that antique furniture has passed the test of time and maintained its integrity speaks volumes about the quality of the craftmanship. Historically, furniture was made to last, with high quality materials, woods and processes.

Antiques may be a bit pricier than flat-pack furniture, but they’ll last much longer. Plus, it’s likely that as long as you care for the item, its value will increase in value rather that depreciating (or simply falling apart!)

The items you find at auction will also be highly unique and vintage is always in style. You can find almost anything at auction to complete your dream interior design!

Inspiration for antique interior design

Here’s a selection of stunning – and trendy - antique furniture we recently sold at auction:

A Victorian gypsy type occasional table, the circular oak top raised on bobbin turned legs, 61cms diameter, 69cms high, sold for £50 in our Fine Art Auction.

A Victorian ash, burr ash and mahogany three-piece bedroom suite. Sold for £420 in our Fine Art Auction.

A Vintage teak and brass lamp standard, c.1970's with woven shade, 162cms high. Sold for £70 in our Modern Art and Design Sale.

A Victorian mahogany easy chair, sold for £150 in the Fine Art Auction.

A Victorian mahogany extending dining table, sold for £320 in the Fine Art Auction.

A 1960s sofa bed, upholstered in buttoned green material with angular arms, turned wooden legs and brass sliding castors. Sold for £100 in The Contemporary Auction.

A set of six Victorian rosewood balloon back dining chairs, with carved and pierced cross splats, the seats upholstered in velour. Sold for £300 in the Fine Art Auction.

A 19th Century ebonized and gold painted pier mirror, sold for £50 in our Fine Art Auction.

An early 19th Century Wedgwood Pearlware part service, comprising: six coffee cans, two saucer dishes, and two plates, sold for £100 in the Fine Art Auction.

An Edwardian inlaid mahogany four-tier circular revolving bookcase, sold for £750 in the Fine Art Auction.

Ready to start going green and investing in antique furniture? Peruse our auction calendar to see what’s coming up in our next auction or set up Lot Alerts for items you’re interested in.

Alternatively, if you need to get rid of old furniture, ceramics, or other household items, you can request a valuation or even an entire house clearance to see if anything will be valuable if sold at auction.