Consignment Shop Offers Solution to Seating Problem

After you get the call from family coming to visit for the holidays, a moment of panic sets in. Where are you going to seat everyone? Do you have enough tables and chairs? Lamps and lights?

The folks at Boston Consignment say they've noticed a growing trend around the holidays: people looking for extra furniture for their holiday festivities.

"Holidays are busy, but not for the reason you'd expect." Stacey Lai, the store's creative business manager told Patch. Rather than gift shopping, people are going to the Highland Avenue store for chairs, tables, extra lighting, and more. 

Furniture at the shop comes from consigners from Manhattan to the Back Bay, and around the holidays gets snapped up by people hosting parties or having family stay for the season — those who need a few extra chairs, or lighting for the spare room.

Consigners part with their furniture for a number of reasons, ranging from downsizing or moving to estate sales after funerals, Lai said.

"Consigners appreciate people coming in for something they will value. It's different than going to Salvation Army," Lai said. "Everything has a story."

A benefit of consigning, Lai said, is the ability to buy furniture and use it for one, two or three years, and then consign it again — provided it is in good shape.

Lai added, "It's almost like renting."

See more from Boston Consignment's collection on their Facebook Page.