How about we have some fixer upper npc that fixes these looted items into usable/ place-able items in our house. Okay, maybe only some items.
Or how about we have discounts for certain furnitures for trading in X amount of a specific loot. Like that Bug Jar, 50 looted jars=50% off the Bug Jar. Thus, making the cost cheaper to 1500, which is still high but better than 2500. Other loots include: tin cans, arrows, bombs, signs, vase, flat soccer ball, etc. Players gotta start recycling these, not just the npcs.