Furniture

Hi All!

Please feel free to move this post if there is a better spot . . .  I am looking for a futon or maybe an inexpensive sofa and some other odds and ends to get me through the year while I am in grad school.  At home, I would go to Target, or Wal-Mart, or maybe even Sam's Club or BJs.  What would be some similar stores, where I might begin to look? I will be living in/near South London/South Croydon.  Not all that thrilled with the selection at Ikea, at least online, and it is hard to get there and they don't deliver from the store. Also, is there anything similar to Bed Bath and Beyond? I don't have a whole lot of time, so I prefer one-stop shopping for kitchen utensils, etc. . .  Do charity shops sell used furniture?  Has anyone gone this route?

Thanks

Hi there...

There is a charity shop on the High Road that sells decent furniture for good prices. It is the British Heart Foundation shop (Leytonstone High Street) - and they will deliver for a small fee (about 15 pounds).

I imagine there will be something similar nearer to where you're living. My husband and I are keeping an eye on this shop to see if something great appears (we want to replace our sofa eventually).

Asda is the UK equivalent of Walmart.  I think you can shop online for things, but if you can find a big one near you, they will have lots of cheap and cheerful home goods etc.

Another place to try if you want delivery is Argos. 

Don't be put off by Ikea not having online shopping.  The one nearest to me in Wembley has an independent service that delivers the goods you bought at the store the next day or so.  You have to go to the store, buy everything and then leave it with a courier service.  I have done that a few times when I have bought things that didn't fit into a Mini.  I can't really remember how expensive it was, but it was done based on how far from the store you lived.

You can also try John Lewis.  We bought our everyday dishes from their Basics range and a set of 4 bowls, plates, mugs and side plates was like £20.  It has held up really well.  Much better than the ikea stuff we had previously.