{"id":1995,"date":"2019-06-20T14:06:08","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T14:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.idealflatmate.co.uk\/flatmate-HQ\/?p=1995"},"modified":"2019-07-01T15:40:32","modified_gmt":"2019-07-01T15:40:32","slug":"finding-furniture-should-you-take-it-off-the-street","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/flatmate-HQ\/finding-furniture-should-you-take-it-off-the-street\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Furniture: Should You Take it off the Street?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s Friday, you\u2019re walking home from work, the sun is shining, Kerry from accounts brought in cake for the whole team \u2014 it\u2019s a good day. That\u2019s when you spot it, the perfect-for-your-room bedside table that you\u2019ve been looking for all these months. And it\u2019s dumped on the curb, no less. And so the inevitable question emerges \u2014 should you take the found-furniture home? <\/span><\/p>\n

Making use of what others have left behind is as old as time itself and, in London, is so common that it has its very own nickname \u2014 wombling. This comes from the furry children\u2019s characters \u2018the Wombles\u2019, who would \u2018Make Good Use of Bad Rubbish.\u2019 You may remember them from their 1974 Christmas album. If you don\u2019t, then <\/span>now is the time to learn<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you live in London, are a large common-dwelling creature or simply like old stuff, there are plenty of reasons to womble. And, here are some things to remember while you do! <\/span><\/p>\n

1) Ask yourself: Is it discarded? <\/b><\/h2>\n

This may seem obvious, but sometimes people just like to store things in their front gardens. It never hurts to knock on the door and ask \u2014 you wouldn\u2019t want to leave someone wondering what happened to their grandma\u2019s lamp. Often, people will write a note making it crystal clear that the item is up for grabs, so look out for that! <\/span><\/p>\n

2) Check it won\u2019t do more harm than good.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Despite what <\/span>Goosebumps<\/span><\/a> may have taught us, the chances of taking home a mirror that tries to steal your soul is slim. There are, however, very real potential problems with snapping up found furniture \u2014 and they generally come in creepy-crawly form. Learn to recognise woodworm, bedbugs and anything else you wouldn\u2019t want to take home with you. <\/span><\/p>\n

3) It\u2019s good to be green. <\/b><\/h2>\n

You don\u2019t only have to think about the possible problems! Taking and reusing furniture is far more sustainable and eco-friendly than buying new, so pat yourself on the back and reward yourself with a fancy (organic) coffee. Good on you, eco-warrior. <\/span><\/p>\n

4) Check with your flatmates!<\/b><\/h2>\n

Imagine you\u2019re having a bad day. All you want is to make some tea, watch your favourite show and forget about it. But, when you walk into your flat, what\u2019s this? A raggedy three piece suite has materialised in your already small front room. Not cool. A quick text or phone call to your <\/span>flatmates<\/span><\/a> before acquiring new furniture is always necessary. <\/span><\/p>\n

Top Tip: If you\u2019re scared of losing the found-furniture while contacting your people, sit on it. <\/span><\/p>\n

5) Pass it on. <\/b><\/h2>\n

Next time you move, want to get a new table or stop liking a lamp (or have found a new one in the street), why not put <\/span>your <\/span><\/i>old stuff on the curb with a little note: \u2018Free to the womblers of the world.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

For more tips on how to decorate your flat o a budget check out this blog post<\/a><\/strong>.
\nAnd if you’re looking for a room to rent in have a look at our thousands of rooms available<\/a><\/strong> throughout the UK.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s Friday, you\u2019re walking home from work, the sun is shining, Kerry from accounts brought in cake for the whole team \u2014 it\u2019s a good day. That\u2019s when you spot it, the perfect-for-your-room bedside table that you\u2019ve been looking for all these months. And it\u2019s dumped on the curb, no less. And so the inevitable … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Finding Furniture: Should You Take it off the Street?”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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