15 Best Online Secondhand Furniture Stores

There are many benefits to buying secondhand furniture, but it can be daunting for some. If you’re focused on buying furniture in person, you might have trouble finding something you like. With the wide variety of online secondhand furniture stores, you don’t have to limit your options. You have extensive catalogs to browse from, including a host of materials online to aid you.

We have compiled some of the best online secondhand furniture stores for you. This list includes everything from stores you know and love like Urban Outfitters and eBay to lesser-known ones like Chairish and 1stDibs. Keep reading to learn more about the best online secondhand furniture stores.

Table of Contents

1. Etsy

Image from modernmidcenturyfurn on Etsy

Shopping at Etsy is similar to shopping at your local flea market. You will find tons of furniture at affordable prices. If you’re looking for vintage furniture, Etsy is the best place to buy beautiful, affordable vintage furniture. Many sellers repurpose and renovate old furniture to give it new life. The number of incredible stores on Etsy will catch you by surprise. You can easily find one-of-a-kind furniture at an affordable price. The only downside to Etsy is that shipping can be expensive, but the actual furniture is quite affordable.

Searching for furniture is simple on Etsy because all you need are keywords such as “mid-century” or “industrial” to find pieces in your preferred style. When looking for furniture on Etsy, do your research and read seller reviews. Don’t buy large pieces of furniture from sellers with only a few reviews. When done right, shopping from Etsy for your home is an excellent choice.

2. Apartment Therapy Bazaar

Vintage French Louis XVI Carved & Tufted Chairs from Apartment Therapy Bazaar

Apartment Therapy Bazaar started as a home and decor site but now has an extensive catalog of furniture and home accessories. Their online marketplace is a great option for buying and selling secondhand vintage furniture with some eye-catching finds. The site features everything from furniture and lighting to art, rugs, and tabletop accessories. It is usually difficult, even intimidating, to look for high-quality vintage furniture at an in-person store for most people. With Apartment Therapy Bazaar, you have access to some great vintage furniture at your fingertips.

The finds on the site include high-end furniture brands as well as IKEA. If you’ve always wanted furniture from Anthropologie but are daunted by the prices, ATB features many beautiful furniture items and rugs from Anthropologie.

Some of our favorites are this Tufted Bertina rug by Anthropologie, Z Gallerie’s Verona Reclining Leather Sectional, and the Vladimir Kagan x Adrian Pearsall Vintage Teal Biomorphic Serpentine Sectional Sofa.

3. AptDeco

West Elm Avila Rug on AptDeco

AptDeco is an online marketplace that makes buying and selling furniture more accessible than ever. Since they handle the logistics, delivery, and assembly, you are set to buy and sell your furniture without any hassle. AptDeco offers a variety of great features, such as online transactions. The buyers and sellers undergo a verification process for your convenience. The only downside to AptDeco is that it is only functional in the Northeast and San Francisco Bay Area.

Buying furniture on AptDeco is simple. Start browsing for furniture or use the search filter if you are looking for something specific. You can request a purchase from the seller, and your request is confirmed within 24 hours. AptDeco provides users the flexibility to schedule pickup and delivery according to their convenience. Once received, you have a 24-hour window to verify if your purchase is as expected. In case of any issues, AptDeco offers a money-back guarantee.

4. Chairish

Novo Rumo Brazilian Jacaranda Rosewood Sofa, 1960 on Chairish

Chairish is a well-known site for buying curated vintage and contemporary furniture and art. Their rare vintage pieces are popular among interior designers, tastemakers, and homeowners. They add more than two thousand items to their catalog daily, so you have a large variety of options to choose from. Chairish makes buying and selling furniture easy because they handle the logistics and delivery. The collection at Chairish consists of the finest furniture items in the US and Europe, selected by expert curators.

Chairish offers a variety of great features for buyers, including a Buy Now, Pay Later option. Although the items on Chairish are expensive compared to other sellers, the service they offer is unmatched. The furniture on their site is categorized in four different ways: by stye, maker, region, and seller region for your convenience. The Chairish blog is a great place for learning to decorate your home with designer tips, home tours, and how-to’s.

5. Urban Outfitters

One-Of-A-Kind Kantha Love Seat on Urban Renewal

Urban Outfitters is a well-known store for unique clothing and fashion accessories. However, Urban Outfitters also offers an extensive catalog of furniture pieces, including upcycled vintage furniture. You will find many beautiful, upcycled vintage pieces in the Urban Renewal section. Urban Renewal is the company’s concept store that sources deadstock fabrics and vintage furniture items from around the world. The furniture items are one-of-a-kind, reworked sustainably with deadstock and eco-fabrics.

While the catalog for Urban Renewal may appear limited, it includes some striking pieces. The store includes couches, chairs, blankets, cushions, rugs, and other home accessories. With a bunch of beautiful furniture items, it wasn’t easy to pick our favorites from Urban Renewal. Our final favorites are the One-Of-A-Kind Kantha Love Seat, the Canary Lane Vintage Area Rug, and the One-Of-A-Kind Kantha Storage Pouf. These pieces will draw attention in any space.

6. eBay

eBay is a popular online marketplace that facilitates buyers and sellers. Typically, sellers can list items and have buyers bid at an auction. Although eBay has recently added an option for buyers to “Buy now” or make an offer to the seller. When done right, eBay is one of the best sites to buy secondhand furniture. You can find vintage and modern pieces for an affordable price. You will find many beautiful furniture items for a price as low as $20.

However, similar to Etsy, you must do your research before buying furniture on eBay. If the items are not in good condition, they can introduce unwanted pests into your house. Read seller reviews and only purchase large furniture pieces from well-renowned or verified sellers.

Some of the best furniture pieces we found on eBay are the Poltrona Frau Fumoir Two-Seater In Black Leather, and this Antique beautifully carved sideboard.

7. Everything But The House (EBTH)

Henredon Regency Style “Natchez” Sideboard on EBTH

Everything But The House, better known as EBTH, is a site that celebrates unique historical pieces. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind centerpiece for your space, EBTH is the best place to find secondhand furniture of that kind. The catalog contains various pre-owned “uncommon” pieces that interior designers and tastemakers covet. EBTH has a team of experts that sort, catalog, photograph, authenticate all the items in their inventory. This way, you can be confident that the furniture you buy is in great condition and will be as expected. You can bid on items of your choice.

EBTH features furniture, home accessories, art, lighting, kitchen, and garage supplies for your home. Another helpful feature includes the various buyer guides that make shopping for vintage items easy and simple. The EBTH site is easy to navigate, so you can browse all your favorites easily.

Our current favorites from EBTH include the Cambridge Collection Upholstered Button-Tufted Sofa, the Thomasville Wrought Metal and Wood King-Size Bed, and these Two-Panel Hand-Painted Room Divider Screens with Landscape Motif.

8. One Kings Lane

Image from One Kings Lane

One Kings Lane is an online marketplace that features designer, vintage, and exclusive home furnishings in every style. If you are looking to buy secondhand furniture in a particular style, One Kings Lane features an extensive catalog of vintage furniture, rugs, lighting, mirrors, and decor.

In addition to furniture, they also provide various services, including interior design and a To the Trade option for businesses. Their expert interior designers collaborate with you to furnish your space according to your needs and preferences. While the To the Trade option lets your curate pieces ideal for restaurants, hotels, and other non-residential projects.

Our favorites from One Kings Lane include this Maison Charles Lotus Lamp Table, the Low Antique Chinese Painted TV Cabinet, and the Provençal Louis XV-Style Sideboard.

9. 1st Dibs

French Art Deco Sideboard in Mahogany on 1stDibs

1stDibs is an online marketplace with some of the most extraordinary secondhand furniture, home décor, art, jewelry, and fashion. Their catalog has many pieces from coveted sellers and makers right from Paris’ flea market. You can find vintage, antique, and contemporary furniture in various styles on 1stDibs.

Their listings include more than one million pieces from trusted sellers worldwide. The in-house experts at 1stDibs thoroughly vet all listings to ensure quality and authenticity. The site lets buyers buy directly, negotiate the price of an item, or place bids at auctions. You can interact with sellers throughout the process including item inquiries, price negotiations, and any customization requests. 1stDibs adds at least a thousand new items to their catalog weekly.

You can create an account or download the free 1stDibs app to save your favorite items, and receive suggestions, promotions, and editors’ picks.

10. Rejuvenation

Image from Rejuvenation blog

Rejuvenation is an online and physical store that deals with new and secondhand furniture. They are well-known for antique lighting and furniture. They have an 87,000-square-feet facility in Portland, Oregon where artisan and skilled craftspeople manufacture new furniture and lighting, as well as restore vintage items. Their inventory features more than two thousand new restored items every week.

Rejuvenation’s antique collection features furniture and lighting in an array of timeless styles made with time-tested materials. All antiques are restored fully at their Portland, Oregon facility. The collection includes lighting, decor, rugs, and furniture.

11. Sotheby’s

Image from Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s is one of the world’s largest marketplaces for art and luxury vintage items. They also feature a large collection of furniture curated from private individuals, corporations, and more. Sotheby’s has a worldwide network spanning 40 countries so they source vintage items from all over the world. They host over six hundred auctions annually, but various items are also available on their site for immediate purchase.

Sotheby’s collection includes lighting, tables, seating, art, and home decor from various eras. They have a large inventory of vintage or antique furniture in a variety of styles such as the Modern and Neoclassical styles. You can sort furniture by creator, color, location, era, style, materials, and origin.

12. Pamono

Image from Pamono

Pamono is a unique marketplace that specializes in one-of-a-kind design objects and their stories. They source vintage and contemporary furniture, lighting, home accessories, and art from around the world. You can have everything delivered to your doorstep easily.

Pamono is a great place to shop from if you are looking for a centerpiece or unique furniture. They deliver internationally with the utmost care and attention. All high-value objects have a condition report created upon pick-up and delivery. Their shipments are insured for damage so you can shop with peace of mind. In addition, some contemporary pieces can also be customized in a variety of colors, materials, and sizes for your convenience.

13. Sunbeam Vintage

Vintage Salmon Dresser from Sunbeam Vintage

Sunbeam Vintage has an extensive collection of affordable vintage pieces. They are a small team of local musicians, artists, actors, and decor enthusiasts. Sunbeam Vintage started due to the creator’s love for collecting vintage pieces. They now have an extensive catalog for vintage, secondhand furniture as well as new furniture.

Their Vintage collection features vintage, used, and antique furniture that is one-of-a-kind. These items have slight wear and tear that you can inquire more about. In contrast, the Modern collection includes modern furniture inspired by classical design. Sunbeam Vintage also has a Sunbeam Exclusive collection which contains handmade items crafted by local artisans.

14. Amsterdam Modern

Martin Visser Coral Leather & Wenge 3-Seater Sofa on Amsterdam Modern

Amsterdam Modern offers secondhand mid-century modern design furniture, lighting, and household items. Their inventory is shipped from Amsterdam and contains pieces sourced from all corners of Holland. If you subscribe to their mailing list, you are notified about sales at their 10,000-square-feet warehouse in the Hi-Fi District adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, California.

Amsterdam Modern sells vintage pieces without restoration to preserve charm and character. They also offer the option to rent furniture, so you can see how it looks in your space before making a purchase.

15. Urban Americana

Antique Solid Walnut Bench on Urban Americana

Urban Americana is an antique and design collective located at the heart of the Zaferia Design District in Long Beach, California. They have an online store where furniture and other vintage items are available for immediate purchase. Urban Americana’s collection includes vintage and mid-century pieces such as coffee tables, patio furniture, chairs, and more. You can visit their warehouse or shop their collection online.

Buyer’s Guide

Your home furniture is what adds a personal touch and makes it yours. It is also a significant investment so you can’t replace your furniture often. In current times, the furniture prices are going up, but there is a decrease in quality. Compared to ten or twenty years ago, when a couch could last ten years, a high-quality sofa lasts only five to seven years now. Keeping this in mind, many people prefer buying secondhand furniture over new furniture. Not only does old furniture have its charm, it only uses much sturdier materials. You can even rework old furniture to give it a personal touch.

Reasons to Buy Secondhand Furniture

Many people are switching to secondhand furniture for a variety of reasons. Secondhand furniture costs less and is an eco-friendly choice.

1. Cost-Effectiveness

Secondhand furniture is highly cost-effective, even more than fast furniture. Fast furniture refers to affordable, mass-produced, and fashionable furnishings that lasts a couple of years. In contrast, secondhand furniture is much more affordable and lasts decades. If a piece of furniture is in good condition decades after its manufacture, it clearly holds up well over time. With some repairs and refinishing, you have an affordable yet durable piece of furniture that looks great in your space.

2. Supporting the Local Community

Most new furniture is either available at high-end stores or national and international chains. Since these companies mass-produce furniture, they rely on overseas factories and global supply chains. To keep costs as low as possible, furniture is produced in bulk quantities, encouraging consumption.

In contrast, most secondhand furniture is available at small, local stores. These independent sellers make little profit and are just trying to get rid of excess furniture. This also supports your local economy, leading to bigger changes as a whole.

3. Better Quality

If you’ve ever tried to life furniture at your grandmother’s house, you will know how heavy it can be. This is because vintage furniture uses sturdy materials and superior craftsmanship. Most mass-produced furniture uses particleboard, which is not as sturdy as real wood.

Solid wood ages well compared to particleboard. As furniture items made sing particleboard age, the top layer can peel to reveal the chipboard underneath. While a solid hardwood piece of furniture only collects marks as it ages. In addition, the intricate woodwork and patterns you will find on vintage furniture is something rarely seen in modern furniture.

4. Sustainability

The furniture industry is not very sustainable and causes high amounts of pollution. According to the EPA, American households discarded 12.2 million tons of furniture in 2017, 80.2% of which ended up in landfills. Only 0.3% of the furniture waste (called f-waste) was recovered for recycling. These figures don’t include items such as rugs and carpets, of which an additional 3.4 million tons were discarded.

The biggest reason behind this is the trend of “fast furniture” which uses low-quality cheap materials. The price of these furniture items is so low that most people consider them disposable when they are damaged. Similar to fast fashion, catalogs are updated annually with the latest trends in interior design. As a result, many are eager to buy new furniture to keep their space looking modern and up-to-date.

Consumerism is a common problem on the rise in America, but many are realizing the importance of sustainability. As more people switch to eco-friendly alternatives such as thrifting and buying secondhand, we can move to a better and greener future. Buying secondhand furniture is one of those choices that aren’t just great for your home, but also our planet.

5. Less Attachment

The “guilty attachment” phenomenon refers to the desire we feel to hold onto expensive possessions. Even if we don’t use those things or need them, we tend to hold onto them simply because we paid a high price for them. When you buy secondhand furniture, you don’t have to worry about guilty attachment. Since you’ve paid a fair price for the item, you will likely prefer to resell it if you don’t need it.

Vintage or secondhand furniture also has a higher resale value than modern furniture. Since the materials and craftsmanship are superior, these items stand the test of time well. Whether it be a vintage cupboard, dresser, or bed, it is a much better investment than buying new furniture.

6. Charm

The stories, charm, and character of vintage or secondhand furniture are incomparable. They add character to a home and often have a fascinating history. Having a unique one-of-a-kind furniture piece in your home is much more rewarding than having the same one as everyone else. They add a personal touch to your home, and the stories that accompany them serve as great ice-breakers.

Tips To Buy Secondhand Furniture

When buying secondhand furniture, use the following tips.

1. Try Before You Buy

If you’re buying secondhand furniture in person, try it out before you buy. Check the cabinets, open up the drawers, sit on chairs, and make sure everything is in good condition. If the items are damaged, ensure you know someone that can perform the appropriate repairs.

When buying secondhand furniture online, you can’t exactly try it out. Most transactions occur online, making it difficult to ensure quality before spending money. In this case, always opt for trustworthy sites and sellers. If you’re buying furniture off a site, ensure they have a return policy. Most online secondhand furniture stores have experts that authenticate items and ensure they are in good condition.

If you’re buying furniture from a seller on a site like eBay or Etsy, ensure they have enough reviews. Don’t buy large furniture items from unknown sellers.

2. Pay Attention to Foundations

In many cases, you can find a great sofa or chair that just needs to be reupholstered. If the frame is of high quality, it will last a long time. Generally, sofas with 8-way hand-tied construction are the most durable and comfortable.

3. Hardwood is Better

Hardwood furniture is the most durable type of secondhand furniture. It can withstand a fair amount of daily wear and tear. Unlike laminate or veneer furniture, where the strips peel back with age, hardwood furniture only acquires a rustic charm with age. Look at types of wood when buying secondhand furniture. The best types of hardwood for furniture include walnut, oak, maple, and mahogany.

If you like secondhand laminate or veneer furniture, ensure the materials underneath the top layer are durable. Laminate and veneer furniture can be a good addition to your space, but won’t last as long as hardwood furniture.

4. Shop with Measurements

Keep a rough floorplan of your room with dimensions at hand when shopping. Shopping for secondhand furniture can be tricky since you don’t have access to a catalog with measurements and specifications. It will also be helpful for you to know the dimensions of the rest of your house. You won’t end up scuffing your walls or floors when moving in your new furniture.

What Furniture Items to Buy Secondhand

There are certain items of furniture that you probably want to get new, like your bed. However, there are certain furniture items you should consider buying secondhand. These include:

1. Upholstered Chairs

Upholstered chairs are one of the best furniture items to buy secondhand. You can easily change the fabric and refresh them with a coat of paint.

2. Dressers

Vintage dressers work well for a variety of purposes. Whether you want a bathroom vanity, an entryway table, or a TV console, vintage dressers come in various sizes. You can repurpose a vintage dresser however you see fit.

3. Rugs

Although rugs aren’t technically furniture, they are generally bought alongside furniture. Shopping for antique or vintage rugs is better and more affordable than buying a new rug. Carpets can be very expensive, but vintage rugs have beautiful patterns and are only a fraction of the cost of a new rug.

4. Stools

Chic vintage stools are one of the best ways to add character to a room. Some of them even feature extra storage. You can reupholster the stool easily to give it a new look.

5. Sofas

Vintage sofas come in many beautiful designs with a durable hardwood frame. Old sofas have a sturdy construction compared to modern sofas. If you buy a secondhand sofa, you can easily reupholster and repaint it for a fresh look. If you don’t want an old-school Camelback or Cabriole sofa, you will even find modern-looking vintage sofas like the Chesterfield and Tuxedo styles.

How to Restore Secondhand Furniture

You can restore secondhand furniture with a few simple steps. These are

1. Precautions

Before you start, always take the necessary precautions. Restoring furniture involves chemicals and tools that can be harmful if not used correctly. Wear protective gear such as long rubber gloves and eyewear. Work in a well-ventilated area to reduce your exposure to harmful fumes. When you are done, store your tools according to the instructions on the package. Some materials you use can be inflammable so take extra care when storing them.

2. Cleaning

After you have all your protective gear on, you can move on to cleaning your furniture. You can use an oil-based commercial wood cleaner that cuts through wax and dirt. If the wood cleaner is not enough, you can switch to cleaning with a cloth using detergent and water. Ensure the wood doesn’t get too wet. Wipe all surfaces with a dry cloth to reduce the chances of water damage.

3. Refinishing

Refinishing secondhand furniture is done in various steps which are as follows

1. Identify the current finish so you can remove it. Shellac, varnish, and lacquer are hard to identify natural finishes. While pigmented finishes such as paint or enamel are much easier to identify. The furniture may also use oil, wax, or a penetrating sealer as finish.

2. Use a solvent such as denatured alcohol, mineral spirits, or lacquer thinner to remove the current finish. Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area when using these chemicals. Use an old towel to apply the solvent and wipe it off with another towel. Remove the old finish thoroughly and clean the furniture with a commercial cleaner.

3. If there are cracks or scratches on your furniture, you can fix them using a solvent. Use a natural bristle brush to apply the solvent. This will fill up and smooth out any cracks or scratches.

4. Use a stripping formula to remove the old finish entirely. This may take anywhere from five to twenty minutes, depending on the thickness of the paint. Apply the formula liberally and leave it on. Scrape away excess with a stripping tool or putty knife. You might need multiple applications to remove the old finish completely.

5. Now your furniture is ready for a fresh coat of stain or finish. Repair any broken joints before completing this step. Using a natural bristle-brush, apply the stain evenly and let sit for five minutes before wiping off the excess. Apply the sanding sealer and let it sit overnight. Sand your furniture the next day before applying a finish of your choice such as lacquer or varnish.

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