I’m a sucker for thrift shopping. Even better? Free roadside furniture. Some finds have proven useful, like the nightstand I had for eight years. Others are simply about adding joy to my home, like the abstract “trash painting” that pulls together my living room colors. And some free furniture finds have proven to be very, very, unforgivably gross; I’ll spare you the details, but let’s just say people leave strange things in dresser drawers. You can’t win if you don’t play the game, right?
If roadside treasures and free curb alerts are not your things (which is fair), thrift shopping for used furniture can be a more enjoyable and predictable experience. You may be no stranger to shopping secondhand for clothing, but furniture is much more of an investment — and takes up significantly more space.
And we’re not just limited to garage sale season anymore — with so many ways to thrift in 2025, furniture hunting is a year-round adventure. Whether you’re browsing neighborhood curb alerts, scrolling through city swap groups, or previewing pieces online, there’s never been more options to personalize your space sustainably and affordably. (Psst, if you’re short on time and can’t make it to the thrift stores, you can always shop our favorite brands for new sustainable furniture.)
“If roadside treasures and free curb alerts are not your things (which is fair), thrift shopping for used furniture can be a more enjoyable and predictable experience.”
What To Look For With Used Furniture
Are you sick of hearing the advice to create a mood board yet? Well, here it is again: Create a mood board for your home. Knowing what you want before you start shopping for your used furniture helps you move through thrift shops and online listings more quickly. A thrifting trip without goals can leave you with eight paintings and no couch — which is what you really needed in the first place. Enjoy those paintings while you sit on the floor, I guess?
“Knowing what you want before you start shopping for your used furniture helps you move through thrift shops and online listings more quickly.”
I’d also recommend getting a grasp on how much you’re willing to spend and how much you’re willing to DIY. Some thrifters will spend more on furniture in perfect condition, while others are excited about paying much less for a DIY project.
Some of the best pieces to find secondhand include real wood tables, dressers, bookshelves, metal and glass furniture, non-upholstered chairs, and vintage accent pieces, since hard materials are easier to clean, inspect, and sanitize. On the other hand, you might want to avoid mattresses, upholstered furniture with unknown history, baby or children’s items like cribs or high chairs, and any soft goods (pillows, cushions) where deep cleaning is uncertain. These may carry health, allergy, or pest risks, or have safety recalls that aren’t obvious on resale sites.
Ready to get shopping? Here are the things I look for in a piece of furniture when deciding on the perfect fit:
- Materials. What is the piece made of? Real wood is a real perk, whereas particleboard furniture is more affordable but won’t last as long.
- Comfort. Take a seat—literally. Make sure chairs and sofas are comfortable and offer you the support you want.
- Stamping. Look at furniture tags or underneath for logo imprints and stamping. (Dresser stamps are often inside drawers.) A quick Google search can usually tell you the piece’s age, quality, and/or value.
- Compare it to other items. If the furniture is from an individual seller, check out the quality of their other items, or ask the seller where they got the piece to get a better backstory and understand why they’re selling it.
If you decide to shop for secondhand pieces online, I recommend requesting extra detail photos like close-ups of manufacturer stamps, and using platforms with buyer protections and seller ratings. Virtual tours and video walkthroughs on platforms like Chairish, OfferUp, or estate sale websites make it easier to inspect secondhand pieces before you commit.
What To Avoid With Used Furniture
Some concerns, like tears and small stains, will vary based on your tolerance. If you’re on a budget and don’t mind imperfections, dings and dents work in your favor to reduce the cost. Sometimes a furnishing is too beautiful or unusual to pass up, even with its flaws. Don’t worry — stains and bad floral upholstery don’t stand a chance against YouTube’s tutorials. Do some digging!
That said, some used furniture finds are just an investment piece of trash (or recycling). Here’s what to consider to avoid buying something you’ll regret:
- Major stains. If the fabric is beyond repair and you’re not about to get it professionally cleaned or reupholstered, leave it behind for the buyer who will.
- Smoke. Give each furnishing a quick smell test for smoke. There are some DIY options for removing this smell (though it’s not easy); just make sure it feels worth your time. This goes for pet urine, too. 😱
- Water damage and mold. Check the inner workings for warped wood, swollen particleboard, and any signs of mold, especially with fabric. If there is water damage, be cautious — you never know what kind of water it came in contact with.
- Bugs. Look for evidence of chewing or burrowing in upholstery or wood. Remove pillows, drawers, and even cushion covers to inspect underneath. This is important! Always inspect for bedbugs and termites — especially before bringing in upholstered or wood furniture. If you’re shopping online or through estate sales, ask sellers about recent inspections. For digital buys, avoid listings without clear, well-lit photos or transparent seller history and ratings.
Where To Shop For Used Furniture
1. FREE FINDS
My neighborhood is densely populated and always seems to have new curbside offerings. But if you’re looking for furniture shopping that is a little more structured, check out Craigslist’s For Sale > Free Stuff section. Freecycle is an entire community based around free and bartered items. Or, search for “curb alert” hashtags or accounts for your city; this Facebook group covers the entire US. Exercise caution with anything online, and bring a friend along if you’re heading to an unfamiliar location.
Neighborhood Buy Nothing groups, WhatsApp, and Facebook swap chats have flourished in recent years, making free (or almost free) furniture exchanges easier in your local area.
2. THRIFT SHOPS
It takes time to identify the best local thrift shops for furniture. Once you do, you can plan out a whole furniture-shopping circuit for when your needs (or wants) change. Goodwill and Salvation Army are familiar places to start, but keep an eye out for smaller local organizations, too.
I like to look for local home and lifestyle bloggers in my city to see where they shop for secondhand furniture. I discovered the treasure trove St. Vincent de Paul of Los Angeles that way — it lives up to the hype as the largest thrift store in LA.
You can save some money by waiting until sale days, but you’re always going to get the best selection of furniture on the day everything is restocked. Politely ask an employee for tips on the best day to shop for new inventory and plan accordingly.
3. INDIVIDUAL SELLERS
Buying furniture directly from its most recent owner is the best way to get a feel for why it’s being sold in the first place. You can ask about damage, pets, and when and where the piece was purchased originally. (This way of buying used furniture is an especially good option if you have serious allergies.)
Use Craigslist to find local sales in neighborhoods to save you from traveling all over town, and OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace connect you with sellers directly as well. If you’re no stranger to delivery fees, eBay can help you find exactly what you want.
And best yet, leverage your own network and keep your ears open for new opportunities; I scored a used couch for $40 from a friend of a friend. Was it beautiful? No. But it was functional, which was what I needed most at the time, and looked as good as new after I took a Rug Doctor to it!
4. ESTATE SALES & ONLINE AUCTIONS
“Heading to estate sales is also a sweet way to spend the day with a friend or partner, so grab a coffee and make a day of it.”
Estate sales, whether in person or online, are a treasure trove for finding vintage and designer furniture. Search for estate sales happening near you on dedicated websites like EstateSales.net and AuctionNinja. Many sellers now offer virtual previews, video walkthroughs, and buy-it-now options through Facebook groups and auction platforms.
Heading to estate sales is also a sweet way to spend the day with a friend or partner, so grab a coffee and make a day of it.
5. CURATED RESALE SHOPS
Resellers carefully vet the used furniture they place for sale and sometimes even clean them — because the seller’s reputation depends on quality. If you’re willing to spend the extra money for a more curated and clean selection, vintage furniture shops and online resellers are the way to go.
Etsy and Chairish are user-friendly sites for finding designer home goods, and many vintage sellers have Instagram accounts as well. Be sure to check the seller’s reviews beforehand to see if buyers have been satisfied with the quality, condition, and shipping of their purchases. If it’s an absolute must-have, experienced sellers can ship even large items cross-country.
6. DIGITAL MARKETPLACES & APPS
2025 has seen the rise of furniture-focused peer-to-peer resale platforms like AptDeco which offer local delivery, buyer protection, and clear ratings for safer purchases. We’re continuing to keep an eye out on new marketplaces in this space!
Delivery Options For Secondhand Furniture
If you’re shopping from a thrift store, vintage store, or other local in-person option, ask the seller if they have delivery options. Explore local delivery services, including Dolly and TaskRabbit, before you shop, so you know how much delivery might cost you. Even asking your friend network on social media might be worth it — you never know who might help you pick up a dresser in exchange for a friendly lunch or a cool $20.
Online platforms, estate sale services, and curated seller sites increasingly offer managed delivery and setup, which is helpful for those who don’t drive or need extra help moving larger pieces.
Building a thrifted home is an affordable way to make your space unique and perfectly curated to your own aesthetic. No one else in the world has the exact combination of thrifted decor as I do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 🛋️ Wishing you luck on your quest for the perfect pieces, and remember — be safe and have fun!
Have you shopped for used furniture? I’d love to hear your favorite find in the comments below.
Emily McGowan is the Editorial Director at The Good Trade. She studied Creative Writing and Business at Indiana University, and has over ten years of experience as a writer and editor in sustainability and lifestyle spaces. Since 2017, she’s been discovering and reviewing the top sustainable home, fashion, beauty, and wellness products so readers can make their most informed decisions. Her editorial work has been recognized by major publications like The New York Times and BBC Worklife. You can usually find her in her colorful Los Angeles apartment journaling, playing with her cat, or crafting. Say hi on Instagram or follow along with her Substack, Pinky Promise.
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