You’re standing in your living room looking at that mid-century modern sideboard you bought three years ago. It’s beautiful, but it doesn't fit the new place. You want it gone, and you want cash. So you think about Craigslist. Honestly, most people approach selling furniture on Craigslist like they’re throwing a message in a bottle into a digital ocean, hoping for the best. They take one blurry photo, write "couch for sale," and then wonder why the only replies they get are from bots asking for their Google Voice code.
Selling furniture on Craigslist shouldn't be a headache. It's actually one of the last bastions of the "cash and carry" economy that hasn't been completely ruined by shipping fees and platform commissions. Unlike Facebook Marketplace, which is increasingly cluttered with "sponsored" junk from dropshippers, Craigslist remains a local, grit-and-grind marketplace. But because it’s a bit of the Wild West, you have to know how to navigate the tumbleweeds and the outlaws to actually get a fair price for your stuff.
The Photography Problem (And How to Fix It)
Listen. Your phone camera is incredible, yet somehow Craigslist is still a graveyard of dark, grainy photos taken in wood-paneled basements. If you want to sell that dining table, you have to treat it like a product, not a hostage.
Natural light is your best friend. Seriously. Drag that chair over to a window. Open the blinds. If you’re taking photos at 9:00 PM under a flickering yellow ceiling light, you’ve already lost. Buyers on Craigslist are inherently cynical; they’re looking for reasons to click away. When a photo is dark or blurry, their brain translates that to "this furniture is probably dirty" or "they’re hiding a massive scratch."
Take at least six photos. Start with a wide shot showing the whole piece. Then, get close—I’m talking uncomfortably close—to the wood grain or the fabric texture. People want to see the "bones" of the piece. If there is a brand name like West Elm, Ethan Allen, or even IKEA, find the stamp or the sticker and photograph it. That tiny bit of proof acts like a digital handshake. It says you aren't a scammer.
And for the love of everything, show the flaws. If there’s a water ring on the coffee table, take a clear photo of it. Being "radically honest" about damage actually builds trust. It prevents that awkward moment where a buyer drives forty minutes to your house, sees a scratch you didn't mention, and tries to lowball you by $100 or walks away entirely. You’ve wasted your afternoon. Nobody wants that.
Writing a Description That Actually Sells
"Good condition. Pick up only." That's a terrible description.
When you’re selling furniture on Craigslist, you’re competing with every big-box retailer and every other person in a 50-mile radius. You need to provide the "Five Ws," but specifically the dimensions. Why does everyone forget the dimensions? I’ve seen hundreds of listings for wardrobes where the seller didn't list the height. Do they think we all have 12-foot ceilings?
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Grab a tape measure. Give the width, depth, and height. If it’s a sofa, tell them if the cushions are firm or soft. Mention if you have pets or if you smoke. In the world of used furniture, "smoke-free, pet-free home" is a phrase that carries more weight than "gold-plated."
The Keyword Secret
Don't overstuff, but think about how people search. Someone might search for "credenza," but another person might search for "buffet" or "sideboard." Use all of them. "Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Sideboard / Credenza / Buffet Cabinet." Now you're hitting three different search queries.
Also, mention the neighborhood. You don't need to give your address—please don't give your address in the public ad—but saying "Located in the Heights" or "Near the University" helps people calculate if the drive is worth it.
Pricing Without Getting Insulted
Pricing is where most sellers let their emotions take the wheel. You might have paid $1,200 for that dresser in 2019, but the market doesn't care about your nostalgia or what you "put into it."
A good rule of thumb? Check the "Sold" listings on other platforms or see what similar items are currently listed for on Craigslist. If five people are selling the same IKEA Malm dresser for $50, don't list yours for $90 because you "barely used it." It’s a commodity.
If you have a high-end designer piece, that's different. Brands like Herman Miller or Knoll hold value. In those cases, mention the designer by name. For everything else, aim for the "sweet spot": high enough that you have room to negotiate, but low enough that it doesn't look delusional.
Everyone on Craigslist wants a deal. It’s part of the culture. If you want $200, list it for $250. When someone offers $175, you can counter with $200 and they feel like they won. It’s a dance. Just make sure you're wearing the right shoes.
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Staying Safe and Avoiding the Scammers
The "is this still available?" message is the bane of every seller's existence. Half the time, it’s a real person who will never reply again. The other half, it’s a bot.
Scams on Craigslist follow a very specific pattern. They usually involve someone who is "currently out of town" but wants to send a "certified check" for more than the asking price, asking you to pay the "movers" with the excess. This is a classic overpayment scam. The check will bounce in two weeks, and you’ll be out the money and the furniture.
Cash is king. Always. Or Venmo/Zelle once they are standing in front of you. Never, ever ship anything.
For the actual hand-off, if the item is small enough, meet at a police station parking lot or a busy grocery store. If it’s a giant sectional and they have to come to your house, try to move it to the garage or the driveway beforehand. Have a friend or partner there with you. It’s just common sense.
The Art of the Deal: Communication and Logistics
Speed is the ultimate currency. If someone emails you about your couch and you wait three days to respond, they’ve already bought a different couch. They're sitting on it right now.
When you get a serious inquiry, be direct.
"Yes, it's available. I'm free Tuesday after 5:00 PM or all day Saturday. I'm in the downtown area. Cash only, please."
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This answers all their immediate questions and sets the boundaries.
Also, be clear about the heavy lifting. "Must bring your own truck and a friend to help move—it's heavy and on the second floor." If you don't say this, a 5-foot-tall person in a Prius will show up expecting you to carry a solid oak desk down a flight of stairs and strap it to their roof. You aren't a moving service. Unless you are, in which case, you should be charging for that too.
Why Craigslist Over Marketplace?
You might wonder why we're even talking about Craigslist in 2026. Isn't it dead?
Not even close. While Facebook Marketplace has the volume, it also has the "noise." You get "Is this available?" pings from people scrolling mindlessly while lying in bed. Craigslist users are usually more intentional. They went to the site, navigated to the category, and searched for a specific item. They are often more serious buyers.
Plus, Craigslist doesn't have an algorithm that decides who sees your post based on how much data they can scrape from your profile. It’s chronological. It’s simple. It’s anonymous.
Actionable Steps for a Fast Sale
If you want that furniture gone by Sunday, follow this checklist. No fluff, just the steps that actually move the needle.
- Clean the item. This sounds obvious, but wipe the dust off. Vacuum the crumbs out of the sofa creases. A ten-minute clean can add $50 to the price.
- The "Lighting" Test. Take your photos during the "golden hour" or midday. If the shadows are long and creepy, wait until tomorrow.
- Write a "Human" Title. Instead of "SOFA," try "Comfy Gray West Elm Sofa - Great Condition."
- Set a Hard Deadline. If you're moving, put "Must be gone by Friday" in the title. This creates urgency and lets people know you're willing to negotiate for a quick pickup.
- Renew the Ad. Craigslist lets you "renew" your post every 48 hours to move it back to the top of the list. Mark your calendar.
- Prepare for the "Lowball." Decide on your "walk-away price" before you even post the ad. If you won't take a penny less than $100, don't waste time talking to someone offering $40.
- Have Change Ready. If you're doing a cash transaction for $45, and the buyer only has twenties, don't lose the sale because you can't give them a five-dollar bill.
Selling furniture on Craigslist is essentially a small business transaction. Treat it with a little bit of professional polish, and you’ll find that the "CRAIGSLIST IS SCARY" reputation is mostly held by people who didn't know how to play the game. Keep it local, keep it cash, and keep your photos bright. You'll have that extra space in your living room—and the extra cash in your pocket—before the weekend is over.