🪑 Furniture Flipping
Reseller Guide
High-Value Furniture Categories
Mid-Century Modern (MCM)
- Designers: Eames, Knoll, Herman Miller, Heywood Wakefield, Danish makers
- Characteristics: Clean lines, tapered legs, organic curves, teak/walnut
- Price range: $200-$10,000+ depending on designer and condition
- Tip: Check underneath for labels, stamps, manufacturer marks
Antiques (100+ years)
- Victorian, Art Deco, Arts & Crafts pieces
- Signed or documented provenance adds value
- Original finish often preferred to refinished
Brand Name Contemporary
- Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel
- West Elm, Room & Board, Ethan Allen
- Easy to research retail prices for comparison
Where to Source
- Estate sales: Best source for quality pieces. Go early.
- Facebook Marketplace: People moving, downsizing, divorcing
- Craigslist Free: Curb alerts, people just want it gone
- Thrift stores: Habitat ReStore, Salvation Army, Goodwill
- Auctions: Estate auctions, consignment auction houses
- Dumpster diving: Apartment move-out weekends especially
- Yard sales: Downsizing families often have gems
💡 Move-Out Gold: College towns end of semester, apartment complexes end of month, and first weekend of new month are prime times for curb finds.
Refinish vs Sell As-Is
| Refinish When... | Sell As-Is When... |
|---|---|
| Piece has great bones but beat-up finish | Original finish is in good condition |
| Basic/common piece - paint adds value | Designer/antique - original finish matters |
| Solid wood that will look great stained | Veneer that may not survive sanding |
| You have the time and skills | Quick flip is priority |
Warning: Never paint quality MCM or antiques. You'll destroy the value. A Herman Miller chair with original finish is worth 5x more than one that's been spray painted.
Where to Sell
| Platform | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Marketplace | Local pickup, all price points | Largest local audience, negotiate in person |
| Craigslist | Local pickup | Older demographic, cash deals |
| OfferUp | Local pickup | Good for lower-mid range pieces |
| Chairish | Vintage, designer, high-end | They handle shipping quotes |
| 1stDibs | High-end antiques, designer | Professional sellers, high fees |
| Etsy | Vintage (20+ years) | Good for shipped small furniture |
| eBay | Shipped pieces, parts | Best for smaller/shippable items |
Logistics
Transportation
- Pickup truck or SUV essential for this niche
- Furniture blankets prevent damage
- Ratchet straps to secure loads
- Rent a truck for large hauls (Home Depot $19/75min)
Storage
- Garage, basement, or storage unit needed
- Climate control important for wood pieces
- Factor storage costs into pricing
Shipping (for sold items)
- uShip: Get quotes from shippers, buyers can arrange
- Freight: Large pieces ship freight, not UPS/FedEx
- Local delivery: Charge $25-50 within X miles, adds value
Quick Tips
- Measure everything: Include dimensions in all listings
- Photograph in good light: Staged photos sell faster
- Check drawers/underneath: Hidden labels indicate value
- Solid wood vs veneer: Solid wood = higher value, can be refinished
- Hardware matters: Original hardware adds value, replacements are cheap
- Seasonal: Outdoor furniture in spring, indoor peaks fall/winter
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