How to buy salvaged homewares

Check out our expert guide

In the 1960s, 1970s and even 1980s, the desire for sleek, modern interiors meant period features were being ripped out left, right and centre, and the latest fixtures and fittings installed in their place. Floorboards were concealed by carpets, cast iron was chucked out and ornate fire surrounds relegated to skips.

Now, of course, such features are sought-after selling points, so it's well worth restoring or replacing missing originals with genuine architectural salvage. Reclaimed materials can also be an excellent way of introducing character and individuality to a modern home or more contemporary scheme.

Salvage can come from many sources: auctions, building sites, farm sales, scrap yards, flea markets, classified ads, car boot sales, the internet, even skips. But for a first-time salvager, it's advisable to go to a reputable dealer. There are salvage yards all over the country, so visit www.salvo.co.uk to find one in your area. All of the businesses listed follow The Salvo Code - this will, among other things, ensure goods are not stolen or sold unscrupulously.

Using salvage is an ecologically friendly way of recycling materials. Old finds are often of a much higher quality than their modern equivalents, having been handmade with care and skill. Some may be crafted from materials that are expensive, rare, or perhaps even no longer available, which can also give reclaimed artefacts the X-factor. 'Don't look for perfection, that's kind of missing the point,' advises Jesse Carrington, director of LASSCO at Brunswick House. 'You want it to look like a piece has always been there.'

Chosen by House to home

Typically, salvage encompassed everything you didn't take with you when you moved

Related Features