High-quality second-hand furniture is essential to any furniture flipping business. Choosing the right pieces to refurbish and resell can make all the difference in your success as a beginner furniture flipper. In this blog post, we’ll discuss practical tips and examples to help you decide how to choose your first furniture flip. Let's dive in!

1. Structural Integrity

Look for strong, sturdy frames without any signs of sagging or wobbling. For wooden furniture, check for loose joints, cracks, or signs of severe warping. If possible, sit or apply pressure to various parts of the furniture to test its durability.

Thrifting furniture isn’t one size fits all so be critical where it counts. Things like paint and a few spiderwebs (though gross) don’t matter in the scheme of things. Instead focus on functionality (“do all the drawers open and close smoothly?”) and solid construction (“is the particle board swollen beyond repair?”).

Remember, a solid foundation is the backbone of any quality furniture flip.

2. Material Quality

Inspecting the material quality is another vital aspect. For wooden furniture, check the type of wood and its condition. High-quality furniture is usually made of hardwoods like oak, walnut, or maple, while particle board or laminate may indicate lower quality.

Now let me be clear, I have nothing against particle board furniture, in fact, I’ve sold some pretty amazing particle board flips. All I’m saying is be choosy friend (I know I am) and don’t buy anything you wouldn’t buy for your own home. Avoid pieces with excessive water damage, deep scratches, or stains that can’t be easily flipped. For upholstery or cushions check for signs of wear or tears.

Here are some good examples of furniture worth thrifting:

A sturdy solid oak side table with minor scratches, ideal for sanding and refinishing.
A gently used leather sofa with no visible tears, perfect for a thorough cleaning and leather treatment.

3. Functionality

Ensure that the furniture is functional and serves its purpose well. Open and close drawers or cabinets to check for smooth movements. Test any moving parts, such as recliners or extendable table mechanisms, to ensure they work. Sure some repairs are fine as long as they don’t eat into your profits.

Good second-hand flips might include:

A vintage dresser with broken drawer slides that can be easily repaired and painted.
A mid-century modern dining set with loose legs that only require tightening.

4. Overall Aesthetics

Assessing the overall aesthetics of the potential flip is top priority since it’ll have the biggest impact on your bottom line. Look out for unique design elements, beautiful detailing, or timeless styles that can attract potential buyers. Consider the current market trends and choose furniture that aligns with popular styles, colors, and finishes.

There are going to be times where the prettiest pieces aren’t always the cheapest (more on that in a moment). No worries, when you’re shopping around, look for furniture with a clean slate. This is going to be any piece with good bones that’ll allow you to add a wow factor. This could be anything from trimmed lined and fluted doors to hand painted designs and new hardware.

5. Pricing Factors to Consider

Finally, think about the price you can buy the furniture for compared to how much you could sell it for. Make sure that the cost of fixing it up, buying materials to refurbish it, and the time you spend on it won't be more than the profit you expect to make. It's important to carefully calculate these costs before deciding on a price for the item you want to flip.

Personally I don’t buy furniture over $70 and I’m EXTREMELY stingy with that $70 (haha… no shame in my game).

Here’s why:

Sweet spot (for me at least) for maximum profit.
The more I save, the more my customers save.
There will ALWAYS be other flips. Don’t be afraid to walk away if a piece is out of budget.

What does that mean for you? Set a budget and stick to it.

Putting it all together

Ok so now you’re probably thinking: “This is great, but how do I know what furniture to thrift in REAL LIFE?”

Say less… I’ve got you covered.

10 questions to help you inspect potential furniture flips like a pro:

Is it priced well for my flipping budget? Stick to your budget. You’ve got this!
Is it sturdy? Lipstick on a pig and all… just saying.
How does it smell? Smoke or “sweet” smells could be a big hairy fix (plus other problems…).
What’s the bug situation? A few spiders 🕷️… sure, anything else… hard (hard) pass.
Does it have 10,000 layers of paint? If so, could mean more time + money = less profits.

Any significant water damage? a little bit is fine, but if a piece is swollen or crumbling, it’s probably beyond repair.
Does it wobble? Look out for what causes the wobbling. Some times, its as simple as tightening a few screws.
Dressers: Do the drawers glide smooth? If no, it might not be worth the time or money.
Nightstands/end tables: Does it come in a set? Let’s face it, nightstand pairs sell far better than individuals. Personally i don’t bother buying individual nightstands or end tables any more.

Bottom line on finding quality used furniture

Finding good quality second-hand furniture doesn't have to feel overwhelming. By following the tips and strategies mentioned in this blog post, you can transform worn-out pieces into beautiful, functional furniture without breaking the bank.

Remember to carefully inspect items, look for solid construction and craftsmanship, and weigh the cost vs potential profits.

How do you inspect your furniture finds? Let me know in the comments below!