How to Sell Your Used Furniture Locally & Online
Looking to clear out some space and make extra cash? You might try selling your used furniture. Whether you're downsizing, moving, or just ready for a change, figuring out how to sell furniture locally or online can feel overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be.
If you're wondering how to sell used furniture successfully, you'll need to know the best places and platforms, pricing strategies, and presentation tips. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about where to sell furniture and how to get the best price for your pieces.
Where to Sell Used Furniture Locally
Where to List Used Furniture Online
Tips for Selling Used Furniture
What to Do if Your Used Furniture Isn’t Selling
Turn Your Used Furniture into Cash
Where to Sell Used Furniture Locally
If you want to learn how to sell furniture locally, you've got plenty of options. Each platform has its own advantages, and using multiple channels can help you reach more potential buyers. Here are the best local selling options:
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace has become the go-to for local furniture sales. It's free to list, easy to use, and lets you tap into Facebook's massive user base. Plus, you can see buyers' profiles, which adds a layer of security to your transaction.
Craigslist
Despite newer alternatives, Craigslist is still a great choice for selling furniture locally. It's straightforward, free, and attracts serious buyers who often search specifically for furniture. Just remember to use common sense safety measures when meeting buyers.
OfferUp
OfferUp combines the best of Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace with a user-friendly app. Buyers can easily browse items by location, and the in-app messaging system makes communication simple and secure.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor is perfect for reaching nearby neighbors who might be interested in your furniture. This is great for those who need to get rid of furniture quickly due to an RV renovation or upcoming move. Since users must verify their addresses, it attracts more reliable buyers and sellers than other platforms.
Consignment and antique stores
Sell your furniture to a local consignment or antique store and let them do the work. They'll handle everything — pricing, displaying, dealing with customers, and processing the sale. You'll get less money since they take a cut, but it's hands-off and simple.
Facebook groups
Local buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook often have active communities of furniture buyers. These groups can be more targeted than Facebook Marketplace, especially for specific styles or vintage pieces.
Flea markets
Weekend flea markets can be great venues for selling multiple pieces at once. While you'll need to transport your furniture and possibly pay for a booth, you can reach serious buyers who come specifically looking for furniture deals.
Garage sales
If you want to know how to sell furniture quickly, a garage sale might be your answer. It's perfect for selling multiple items at once and attracts local buyers who can take the furniture home immediately.
Where to List Used Furniture Online
Sometimes, knowing how to sell furniture locally isn't enough, especially for unique or valuable pieces. Here are some top online platforms to expand your reach:
eBay
eBay is one of the most well-known places for selling furniture online, especially if you have vintage or collectible pieces. While shipping can complicate the process, this platform can help you sell your furniture fast.
1stDibs
For high-end, designer, or antique furniture, 1stDibs connects you with serious collectors willing to pay premium prices. While listing fees are higher, so are the potential returns. Additionally, to become a seller on the platform, you must be a professional, meaning no consumer-to-consumer listings are allowed.
AptDeco
This platform specializes in furniture sales and handles delivery logistics. They also verify buyers and handle payment processing. The AptDeco team coordinates pickup, delivery, and assembly, making it ideal for sellers who don't want to deal with logistics; plus, you'll typically get higher prices than local marketplaces.
Chairish
Similar to 1stDibs, Chairish focuses on designer and vintage furniture. They offer white-glove delivery services and help with pricing recommendations. Their curated approach means your pieces get in front of serious buyers willing to pay premium prices. Plus, their managed shipping process eliminates the hassle of arranging transport yourself.
Poshmark
While known for fashion, Poshmark has expanded into home goods and furniture. It's perfect for smaller pieces that are easy to ship. Their social-shopping format lets you build a following and connect with repeat buyers, plus their prepaid shipping labels make sending items super simple.
If you have a following or use the right hashtags, Instagram can be an excellent place to sell furniture, especially unique or refurbished pieces. The visual platform is perfect for showing off furniture transformations and reaching design-savvy buyers. You can easily share your listings across other social media platforms to increase visibility.
Etsy
For vintage or handcrafted furniture, Etsy provides access to a global market of buyers seeking unique pieces. Their built-in SEO tools help your listings get discovered, and their audience specifically looks for one-of-a-kind items, meaning you can often command better prices than on general marketplace sites.
Tips for Selling Used Furniture
Right now, you might be wondering how to sell your furniture for the best price. Here are proven strategies that'll help you attract serious buyers and close deals faster:
Take stunning photos: Shoot your piece from multiple angles, capture any special details, and don't forget to document any wear and tear. Great photos of your current furniture can help items sell for higher prices.
Tell the truth about the piece's condition and history: Being upfront about scratches, dents, or repairs builds trust with buyers and saves everyone time.
Research prices and leave room to negotiate: Check what similar items are selling for in your area, then price slightly higher to give yourself wiggle room. When you're figuring out how to move items quickly, smart pricing is key.
Write detailed, keyword-rich descriptions: Include dimensions, materials, brand names, age, and any interesting history about the piece. This is especially important when you need to organize a room with too much stuff and want to sell quickly.
Clean and stage your furniture: Dust, polish, and present your piece in its best light. A little elbow grease can mean the difference between a quick sale and a piece that sits forever.
Respond quickly to interested buyers: The faster you reply, the more likely you are to make the sale. Keep your notifications on and be ready to answer questions promptly.
Make safety your top priority: Meet in public places when possible, bring a friend for larger items, and trust your gut if something feels off. Never share personal financial information with buyers.
What to Do if Your Used Furniture Isn’t Selling
If your furniture has been sitting on the market without any serious interest, here are some smart alternatives to try:
Consider temporary storage solutions: If your piece isn't selling but you're not ready to let it go for pennies, consider using temporary storage, such as attic storage or a climate-controlled unit. Doing so can help protect your used furniture until the market improves.
Donate to organizations that give back: Local charities, homeless shelters, and other organizations often need furniture, and many will pick up items for free from your home. Plus, you can get a tax write-off.
List it in the free section: If you're cleaning your storage unit and need extra space for new pieces, you can get rid of old furniture by giving it away for free using platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle. You'd be surprised how quickly furniture moves when it's free.
Try upcycling or repurposing: A fresh coat of paint or new hardware can transform an outdated piece into something modern and sellable. Small investments in upgrades can lead to bigger returns.
Explore recycling options: If your furniture is beyond repair or unsellable, many cities have special recycling programs for furniture. Break down wooden pieces for recycling or find specialized facilities that handle furniture disposal.
Connect with local staging companies: Home stagers often need furniture and may buy or rent your pieces for their inventory. This can be good for classic or neutral pieces.
Research buy-back programs: Some furniture retailers offer buy-back programs for gently used pieces. While you won't get full value, it's an easy way to offload items quickly.
Turn Your Used Furniture into Cash
With online marketplaces, local options, and word-of-mouth, anyone can find buyers for their used furniture. Take your time, choose your platform, and get the most money for your pieces.
Need a safe spot to store furniture while you're working on selling it? Key Storage has you covered with clean, climate-controlled units that keep your pieces in perfect condition. There's no need to rush into a low-ball offer when you have a secure place to store your furniture until you find the right buyer at the right price. Browse available storage units near you.
