Do you want to dabble in a bit of furniture upcycling?
Does the thought of giving old worn-out furniture a new purpose in life satisfy you?
Perhaps you want to experiment with some fresh paint and styles and leave your creative mark on each new upcycled piece!
Well, You’re in the right place!
Finding old furniture to repurpose can be a daunting experience. Still, it does not have to be complicated. You will often come across people throwing out old furniture, and sometimes all it needs is a repair here and there, a good coat of paint, and it's good to go again!
Upcycling old furniture is a great little side hobby! Not only do you appreciate old-school “one of a kind” craftsmanship, but you are also saving these pieces from going into landfills, win-win. Right? If you would like to know more about the benefits of upcycling furniture, check out our article here!
So with all that said, this guide will be providing all the information about the possible places to find cheap old furniture or freebies!
Recycle Centers or Thrift Stores
If you are not looking for any particular furniture pieces, then perhaps exploring thrift stores in your area might be an excellent place to start. Though they usually sell clothes, shoes, and accessories, you might still find second hand furniture worth buying and repurposing. For example, look for recycling centers in your area, the Goodwill, or the Salvation Army. A quick Google search will likely tell you where the nearest ones are.
You might have to pay a little extra for their antique pieces, but even then, it won’t be too heavy on your pocket. Plus, chances are you’ll even be able to strike a bargain for what you want to purchase.
Garage Sales
You’d be surprised to know what exciting things you can find at garage sales, which you can upcycle or repurpose. You could also bargain on these items and pay a much lower price since they want to get rid of their things.
The furniture found at garage sales also tends to be the high-quality kind, which will likely last you for years if you maintain it well. You can look up garage sales online to find the nearest one to you.
Weekend Markets
There are regular weekend markets in some cities where people can sell and buy anything and everything. Though they primarily include food stalls, some people sell vintage décor items or furniture pieces. You might need to look further into whether a weekend market is housing a furniture stall. You can look up the market online or on Facebook to see what they are offering.
eBay
The most popular place where people tend to sell second hand or antique furniture is online. This allows anyone from anywhere to view the items and order them if they want to. You might need to keep looking to find hidden treasures, and it may be a bit difficult to use initially, but once you get the hang of it, you will find some great things. Search for specific furniture pieces on the site, and then filter out your findings by particular colors, materials, types, and prices.
Craigslist
The most popular place where people sell or buy second hand furniture at a reasonable price is through Craigslist. However, it is pretty challenging to find what you’re looking for. But chances are you might stumble upon great treasures at dirt cheap prices. Use specific words to narrow down your search or use particular keywords. There might be lots of junk to sort through, but finding that one treasure will make it worthwhile.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is the new popular place to find bargains in just about any topic. You would be surprised at what you could pick up around your local area, on the cheap or even for free! As of the past few years, this site has been attracting more individuals. It uses your current location and IP address and provides you with items and sellers closest to you. However, you will need to browse the site for a bit before finding what you are looking for. You can even change the location yourself to browse different areas.
Trash Day
Often driving around on trash day, you will be able to pick up old furniture that other people in your neighborhood or surrounding areas are throwing to the curb! However, you may need to repair it, so keep this in mind before you take it. If you’re a beginner, it may be too difficult to repair, and if you cant repurpose it in any other way, it may be better to leave it.
This is a site that has been inspired by estate sales. If you are looking for second hand furniture at low prices, this is the place to be. All you need to do is create an account and browse through the website for specific items. Everything But The House offers a curated selection of items, from décor items, lighting, furniture, books, and more. The bidding often starts with as little as $1 and can go up. Moreover, the site is completely transparent and secure as the EBTH team handles it. Products are bid and sold on this site every day, so be sure to keep checking.
This site provides second hand furniture and décor items from retail stores like Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, and West Elm. Sellers have to put up the retail prices of the items and the amount they are asking for, so you will know if you are getting a fair deal or not. The AptDeco team handles quality checks, but you can return or exchange it without worry if you are still not satisfied with the item.
Conclusion
So whether you’re in search of a particular piece to repurpose for your home, want to express your creative side, or if you want to start a side hustle and sell your upcycled creations. Here are nine great places you can go and check out to find old furniture on the cheap to repurpose! You may even pick it up for free!
Best of luck!