Furniture Flipping Guide | ResellMode - How to Resell Furniture

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