The Best Places to Buy Used Furniture (On and Offline)

Buying secondhand items comes with numerous benefits. You’ll save precious resources used to make new furniture and reduce waste created by throwing old belongings into landfills. You’ll also get a unique item — you won’t have to worry about visiting a friend and seeing the same kitchen table or dresser. Before you can experience these benefits for yourself, you should check out the best places to buy used furniture — on and offline. 

Knowing where to look for secondhand furniture is half the battle. Luckily, we have you covered with 10 different options. Use your favorite apps or websites to browse virtual listings or visit in-person sales for something one-of-a-kind. Are you ready to start decorating? Keep your eyes open for your next great purchase.

1. Flea Markets

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If you’ve never been to a flea market, the name alone might turn you away. Still, they’re one of the best places to discover used furniture. See if your town or a nearby community hosts a weekly flea market. They typically happen on Saturday or Sunday, and they’re rife with opportunities to find stunning used furniture.

The best part? You can haggle to get a heck of a deal! Who knows? You may find an antique piece of art or fun statement chair that perfectly matches your dream design. Take a look at the sticker price and see if you can get a discount with a little negotiation.

Best for: anyone looking for a singular piece or something antique. 

2. Facebook Marketplace

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If you’ve perused this social media platform, you probably know that you can find everything from local group events to video games. Facebook also has a marketplace where you can buy and sell goods. Around 2.2 billion people use the site each day, so you should have no problem finding distinctive pieces.

Use the search bar to look up your desired furniture and how far you’re willing to travel. Once you find something interesting, use the site’s chat feature to talk with the seller about availability, pricing, and delivery or pickup options.

Best for: anyone who wants locally used furniture pieces or sets and usually has the transportation method to bring your purchase home.

3. Pawnshops

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Pawnshops are similar to flea markets in that you can find interesting secondhand items and often haggle on pricing. However, they’re usually indoors and operate every day of the week. Some are bigger than others, depending on the venue. Your town might have one large enough to designate an entire room for used furniture. Many only sell smaller pieces that can sit in a corner and leave room for shelving units.

These shops get new things every day, so check in often. You can also sell your old furniture here, allowing you to earn some extra cash or in-store credit.

Best for: anyone hoping to find smaller furniture pieces ranging from antiques to modern designs.

4. Craigslist

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Craigslist is a classic website you can use to search for used furniture in your local area. Users can research local listings and contact people via email or text to arrange a pickup. It’s the original Facebook Marketplace, but you won’t be able to see the seller’s personal photos, posts and other identifying information unless they include it in their profile.

Remember — if you plan to purchase something from Craigslist, always meet in a public location. Coffee shops and fast-food restaurants make excellent options, as there are other people around.

Best for: anyone who’s not on Facebook and needs a quick deal on any type of furniture, preferably from someone in your town.

5. Antique Dealers

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Look up antique dealers in your area to see who sells used furniture. Many people have brick-and-mortar stores, while others run operations right out of their homes.

Keep in mind that sellers who label their items as “antique” rather than “used” typically ask a higher price. They’re also less likely to negotiate their prices because they’ve already had all their merchandise appraised. However, you may find a stunning piece with a certificate of authenticity — a valuable document that proves the item is real and not a counterfeit.

Best for: anyone who will pay more for older antique furniture that hasn’t been altered or damaged since its original purchase.

6. Letgo

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Like Craigslist, Letgo is a buy-sell website that allows you to peruse secondhand items up for grabs in your local area. It relies on photos, so you’ll have plenty of angles to swipe through to inspect each piece of furniture for dents, stains or other damage.

This option is more mobile-friendly, and you can communicate directly through the app without the need to call or email. The software even pre-writes messages, such as “Is this item still available?” which saves you time on your search.

Best for: anyone who needs used furniture but doesn’t want their personal information up for anyone on the app to see. 

7. Auctions

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Do you love a good bidding war? If so, research auctions happening in your area and grab your paddle. You may find an organization that hosts events at a specific location each week, while others may arrange a sale at an estate.

Keep in mind that some sellers set a reserve — the minimum price they’re willing to accept for an item. If your bid doesn’t meet this price, you won’t be able to buy.

Best for: anyone who loves haggling prices, competing with other buyers and can drive their purchase home after the auction ends.

8. Auction Websites

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Don’t feel like attending an auction in person? No problem! Instead, bid to your heart’s content online. You can find auctions on sites like eBay, Listia, ShopGoodwill and Bonanza. This is great for people who have tight schedules or can’t drive across town at the last minute. You won’t have to yell over other bidders or pay in person with cash.

Remember to check the shipping costs of items as well as the purchase prices. You don’t want to buy a gorgeous nightstand only to discover that shipping will break the bank. If you can’t cover the cost of shipping, your purchase might automatically go to the next highest bidder. Many auctions have to occur within a specified timeframe because the furniture comes from a foreclosed property or one that’s about to sell.

Best for: anyone who can hop online during peak daylight auction hours and can’t fit traveling to in-person events into their schedule.

9. Thrift Stores

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The difference between thrift stores — like Goodwill and the Salvation Army — and consignment shops is that people donate their items to the organization. Plus, the money made typically goes to a good cause.

Check in often, as you never know when a special piece might turn up. People who live in small towns may benefit the most from thrift stores. Get to know the owner and they may hold onto your next fantastic find if you need a few days before you can cash your next paycheck.

Best for: anyone looking for a unique piece of furniture or wants their purchases to support a helpful organization.

10. OfferUp

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Similar to Letgo, OfferUp is an app you can download to your iOS or Android device and use to search for furniture in your local area. One advantage of this option is that buyers and sellers rate people they’ve dealt with in the past. Therefore, you can avoid anyone who has negative feedback and ensure a positive experience.

Best for: anyone who’s new to finding used furniture and wants reassurance that they’re paying a reputable seller for a product.

The Best Places to Buy Used Furniture Require Some Scouting

You don’t have to spend a fortune on new furniture if you want to redecorate your home. Instead, look for used options that allow you to score excellent pieces, reduce waste and achieve your dream style.

The best places to buy used furniture often fly under the radar. To score the best deal, be prepared to scout for perfect, unexpected secondhand pieces both on and offline.