Avoid dressers missing shelves. Poorly constructed shelves or dressers are difficult to disguise. You can always cover the tops with doilies or cloth. Knobs can be replaced. Avoid lamps with frayed wires and plugs, unless you want to replace those yourself.
Lamp shades are easy and relatively cheap to replace.
If the container already has a plant or foam glued in, just tear it out. Fill glass vases with colorful marbles. Large holes need patches. If the curtain was ripped from its hooks, it will take some work to re-cover the top and prepare new hook holes. Then, you will probably need to match that work with the other curtains in the room.