The market has shrunk and the prices have gone up… there are still some good items on the second hand market, at times, depending on location.

Estate sales

I'll stick with ikea until the kids move out

Yeah, this is it for us. I grew up in a home with a lot of "grandma's heirloom dining table" type items that I was punished for bumping into, spilling on, etc. While I do believe in teaching kids respect, it seems like a lot of unnecessary stress for both parents and kids to use this stuff as your daily driver and we don't have the space for special-occasions-only furniture.

My long term financial goal is to have all Amish hardwood furniture from the local Amish furniture makers because that shit is niiiice and also it'll probably outlast my future grandkids

I bought a dresser that actually came pre-stained in an orange color. We did a glass top on it to help protect it, and it looks new still to this day.