Sofa, so good

Get yourself along to an auction house or salvage yard and give an old piece of furniture a new lease of life

IT'S TRUE what they say about cobblers' children. And the same goes for furniture makers' wives. My dear beloved's Forest Stewardship Council-certified masterpieces disappear off to paying customers, leaving us rattling around the newly purchased three-bedroom house with furniture more suited to a grotty student flat.

I'd like to say that my dated MFI dining table and Ikea shelving units are ageing gracefully, but that would be a lie. Their cheap veneer is chipped, legs are shoogly and, worst of all, it's really embarrassing when all one's artisan furniture-making friends come round to visit.

So how do you furnish a house on a budget and in an eco-friendly way? By throwing yourself into the world of junk shops, auction houses and salvage yards.

In green terms, the case for buying used furniture is a straightforward one – no new energy or raw materials are required to make it; you're diluting the original environmental impact by keeping it useful for longer; and you're also saving it from landfill.

Now I know that if you like sleek, modern interiors, then this junk-shop approach might be hard to swallow – but if you need convincing, check out Recycled Home by Mark and Sally Bailey (£19.99, Ryland Peters). This book has become my inspiration – with creative flourish, an apple crate is given castors to transform it into a moveable magazine storage unit, while an old wardrobe seamlessly becomes a kitchen dresser. I quote the Baileys: "If there is the faintest glimmer of life in something, rescue it – you're bound to be able to find a use for it somewhere."

My problem is that I don't have enough old stuff to begin with. So it's off for a scan of auction houses. Far from being elitist places which trade only in fine art, plenty of auction rooms sell everyday furniture at bargain prices.

I find a tempting beech drop-leaf pedestal table with a guide price of £20 to £30 on www.auctionroomsfalkirk. co.uk, then accidentally find myself eyeing up a speedboat on www.wilson auctions.com. Perhaps auctions aren't the best choice if you've an impulsive nature, but you might be surprised by what's on offer.

From eBay to charity shops, there many places stocking items in need of a new home. If it's period features you're after, your local architectural salvage yard might be the answer.

They say charity begins at home, which is why I've been delighted to accept my in-laws' offer of a large carpet, antique corner unit and, wait for it, a set of six old Singer sewing machine chairs.

These chairs were rescued from a factory closure years back and have become collectable – being distinctly more 'vintage' than 'second hand' (the fact that they're heavy enough to fall through the floorboards is neither here nor there).

I can tell that some of you remain unconvinced. A home full of old tat might be fine in the countryside, but if you need something more chic, there is an increasing number of design companies making original furniture out of recycled materials.

The hippest one is Reestore (www.reestore.com), whose chairs made from wheelbarrows, shopping trolleys and old car seats would look perfect in a minimalist loft apartment.

And if you're still sceptical, why not regard old furniture as being like an abandoned puppy with big, sad eyes. It's unloved, unwanted and just desperate to be rescued and given a new home. How can you resist?