“The only furniture in my house that isn’t second-hand are my couches and my mattresses,” says Marianne Heaphy (@therevamptramp), an upcycling tutor who runs workshops in Waterford.

Everything else, she explains, has come from charity shops, second-hand markets or people giving away unwanted items over the years.

“It will never cease to amaze you what people get rid of,” she adds.

It may be tricky to wean yourself off those familiar flat-pack kits, but opting for pre-loved decor instead of buying everything new can save you money and lessen your carbon footprint — according to the European Environmental Bureau, 10 million tonnes of furniture are discarded in EU countries every year, most of which ends up in landfill or incineration.

“If there’s something you’re looking for specifically, put a shout-out on Facebook or on social media,” says Heaphy.

“I’d say we all have a friend who has a back garage with stuff in it that’s forgotten about, and you’d be surprised what’s in our sheds. You really don’t know who might have what you’re looking for.”

Thrifter Marianne Heaphy shows us her favourite second-hand furniture finds

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