You’ve got a couch. It’s a decent couch, maybe a West Elm mid-century piece or a sturdy IKEA Kivik that survived three moves and a pandemic. You want it gone, and you want some cash for it. But here’s the thing: most people fail at selling used furniture online because they treat it like a digital yard sale rather than a logistics business.
It’s frustrating. You take one blurry photo, post it on Facebook Marketplace, and then spend three days answering "Is this available?" from people who have no intention of showing up. It doesn't have to be that way.
The resale market has shifted. In 2024 and 2025, we’ve seen a massive professionalization of the secondhand economy. Buyers are wary of scams, bedbugs, and "smoke-free home" claims that smell like a pack of Marlboros. If you want to actually move your inventory and get a fair price, you need to understand the nuances of the platforms and the psychology of the modern buyer. Honestly, the difference between a $50 sale and a $500 sale is usually just lighting and a tape measure.
The Brutal Reality of Pricing Your Stuff
People get sentimental. They remember paying $1,200 for that dining table in 2019. They think, "Well, it's still in great shape, so $900 is fair."
It’s not.
Unless you are selling authentic Herman Miller, Knoll, or high-end vintage teak, furniture depreciates faster than a new car driving off the lot. As soon as a piece enters a home, it loses roughly 50% of its retail value. That’s the baseline. From there, you subtract for scratches, pet hair, and—this is the big one—the "inconvenience tax." The buyer has to drive to your house, find a truck, and haul it down your stairs. That effort has a dollar value.
Check the "sold" listings, not the "active" ones. On eBay, you can filter by sold items to see what people actually paid. On Marketplace, if an ad has been up for three weeks, the price is too high. Period. Aim for the "sweet spot" of 30-40% of the original retail price for standard brands, and maybe 60% for "it" brands like Anthropologie or Restoration Hardware.
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Where You List Matters More Than What You Sell
Not all platforms are created equal. If you’re trying to sell used furniture online, matching the item to the demographic is the only way to avoid headaches.
Facebook Marketplace is the Wild West. It’s best for low-to-mid-tier items: IKEA, Target, or unbranded wood furniture. The benefit is the sheer volume of users. The downside is the "ghosting." You will get twenty messages, and nineteen of them will disappear into the ether. It’s just part of the game.
OfferUp is similar but tends to have a slightly better rating system. Use it as a secondary catch-all.
Kaiyo and AptDeco are the game-changers for the "lazy" seller. These platforms are primarily active in major metros like NYC, Philly, and DC. They handle the pickup, the cleaning, and the delivery. You get a smaller cut of the final sale, but you don't have to talk to a single stranger or lift a heavy dresser. If you value your time more than every last cent, this is the move.
Chairish and 1stDibs are for the high-end stuff. If you have a genuine Eames chair or a 19th-century French armoire, do not put it on Craigslist. These sites vet their sellers and cater to interior designers. You’ll need professional-grade photos here. White backgrounds are often required.
The Art of the Listing (Or Why Your Photos Suck)
Most people take photos at night under a yellow ceiling light. It looks depressing. It looks like the furniture is haunted.
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Wait for a cloudy day. Soft, natural light is your best friend. Clear the clutter around the item. If you’re selling a coffee table, don't leave your half-empty coffee mug and a pile of mail on it. Stage it. A single book and a small plant make a world of difference. It helps the buyer visualize the piece in their own home rather than seeing it as your "trash."
Take photos of the labels. Buyers want to see the "Made in Denmark" stamp or the Ethan Allen tag. It proves authenticity and build quality. And please, for the love of everything, take a photo of the defects. If there’s a water ring or a chipped corner, show it. Being honest upfront builds trust and prevents "negotiating on the driveway" when they see the damage in person.
Safety and the "Scam Filter"
The internet is full of weirdos. It’s just a fact. When selling used furniture online, you have to protect your digital and physical space.
Never give out your phone number. Use the in-app messaging. If someone asks to "send a code to your phone to verify you're real," it’s a scam. They are trying to hijack your Google Voice or other accounts. Block them immediately.
For the actual exchange, try to meet in a neutral location if the item is small enough. If they have to come to your house for a large sectional, move it to the garage or the driveway if possible. Have a friend or partner there with you. It’s not about being paranoid; it’s about being smart.
Cash is still king. Venmo and Zelle are okay, but be aware that scammers use stolen accounts to send payments that eventually get reversed. If you use digital payments, wait until the person is standing in front of you and you see the "Payment Sent" screen on their phone.
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Logistics: The Final Boss
The number one reason furniture sales fall through is transportation. People overestimate what will fit in a Honda Civic.
In your listing, include the exact dimensions: Width, Depth, and Height. It’s also helpful to mention if the legs come off. If you're willing to deliver for an extra $20, say so. That often seals the deal for people without trucks.
If they are picking it up, tell them to bring blankets. Most "used" furniture gets its worst damage during the ten-minute drive to the buyer's house because it wasn't wrapped. Being helpful here ensures a 5-star rating, which makes your future sales much easier.
Actionable Steps to Get Your Furniture Sold This Week
Don't just let that chair sit in the corner gathering dust. Follow this workflow to clear your space and pad your wallet:
- Deep Clean: Use a lint roller on upholstery and a wood cleaner on hard surfaces. A Magic Eraser works wonders on scuffs, but test it on a hidden spot first.
- The "Three-Photo" Minimum: One wide shot from the front, one side profile, and one close-up of the texture or brand tag.
- Write a Human Description: Instead of "Table for sale," try "Sturdy oak dining table, seats six comfortably. We used this for family dinners for three years, just upgraded to something larger. Smoke-free home. Minor scratch on the left leg (see photo)."
- List on Tuesday or Wednesday: People browse during their lunch breaks mid-week, but they plan their pickups for Saturday and Sunday. Posting mid-week gets you to the top of the feed just as they start looking.
- Be Prepared to Haggle: Decide on your "walk-away price" before you post. If you list for $100, someone will offer $75. If $75 is your floor, take it and run. The goal is to get the item out of your house.
The market for used goods is only growing. Whether it's driven by sustainability goals or just the rising cost of new goods, people want what you have. You just have to make it easy for them to buy it. Clear photos, honest descriptions, and a realistic price point are the only "secrets" that actually work. Use the right platform for your specific piece, stay safe during the handoff, and you'll find that clearing out your space is a lot more profitable than you thought.