Furniture flipping is simple: you take an old piece, fix it, and sell it for more. Good flips put cash in your pocket and keep solid furniture out of landfills. In the U.S., more than 12 million tons of furniture get dumped each year, and most of it ends up in landfill, not recycled. Flipping gives those pieces a second life.
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What is furniture flipping?
Furniture flipping means buying, finding, or getting furniture for cheap, fixing it up, and selling it for more. You might:
- Pick up a solid-wood dresser from a curb alert.
- Sand, patch, and repaint it in a modern color.
- Add new hardware, take bright photos, and list it online.
On the money side, many flippers report profits from about $40 up to a few hundred dollars per piece, with bigger wins on sofas and large storage pieces. Some side hustlers build this into regular monthly income, and a few turn it into a full-time business once they have systems and steady supply.
On the planet side, the Environmental Protection Agency and related reports put furniture waste at over 12 million tons a year, with about 80% going to landfill and only a tiny fraction recycled. Flipping is one way to push those numbers down and keep solid wood in use longer.
Furniture flipping in 5 simple steps
You do not need a workshop or a big truck to start. Here is a simple plan you can follow on nights and weekends.
Learn the basics and set a simple goal
Pick a small goal for your first month, like “flip one dresser for $100 profit.” Keeping it simple helps you stay calm, avoid overbuying, and learn from each flip.
For a deeper look at profit math and margin targets, open flipping furniture for profit.
Find your first piece
Look for solid-wood pieces with simple lines and minor wear. Avoid heavy damage, missing parts, and warped tops on your first flip.
Start with:
- Nightstands or dressers with smooth drawers.
- Coffee tables and bookshelves with no major cracks.
- Simple couches with removable covers and no bad smells.
See where to find furniture to flip for sourcing ideas from thrift stores, estate sales, curb alerts, and online marketplaces.
Run the numbers before you buy
Pause and do quick math. Your profit is your asking price minus all costs:
Profit = selling price – (buy price + supplies + labor value + delivery + fees)
Many flippers aim for 40–60% profit after every cost. If your planned flip will not pay you a fair rate for your time, skip it and wait for a better piece.
Use the calculator and examples in flipping furniture for profit to test your numbers before you load the piece into your car.
Fix, clean, and photograph
Focus on simple, clean work. Buyers care more about the final look and sturdy feel than about fancy techniques.
- Clean first: vacuum, wipe down, and de-grease surfaces.
- Repair basics: tighten screws, glue loose joints, fill chips, sand rough spots.
- Finish: paint, stain, or oil in colors and tones that match current styles.
- Photos: shoot in daylight, clear clutter, and show close-ups of details.
For sofa and couch-specific steps, see the couch flipping guide.
List, sell, and repeat
Once your piece is ready, pick one or two selling channels and list it with a clear title, honest description, and firm or “OBO” price.
Learn which channels perform best for you in where to sell flipped furniture. Over time, track which pieces sell fastest and keep repeating what works.
How much money can you make flipping furniture?
Income depends on your market, time, and skill, but a few patterns show up across guides and case studies:
- Many casual flippers report $40–$200 profit per small piece like end tables and chairs.
- Larger items like buffets and sofas can bring in a few hundred dollars per flip when bought right.
- Side hustlers who flip regularly often reach four-figure months once they know their style and sources.
- A small group of flippers turn this into full-time work, stacking high-value pieces and better systems.
For real-world numbers and stories, check out:
- A profit-focused guide on furniture flipping as a side hustle .
- Bank and money guides, like SoFi’s overview of furniture flipping , which stress low costs and smart pricing.
- News features on flippers who grew from side gigs into full-time income, including people hitting steady, high-ticket months once they had a stream of good pieces.
If you want tight math, margin targets, and a calculator, use flipping furniture for profit as your money hub.
Where to find good furniture to flip
You do not need special contacts to find pieces that work. Start close to home, then branch out.
- Thrift stores and charity shops. Ask about sale days and which tags are discounted.
- Estate sales and auctions. The last hour is great for deals on solid-wood sets and buffets.
- Curb alerts and bulk pickup days. Check local rules, then watch for solid-wood desks, chairs, and tables on the curb.
- Online marketplaces. Search “solid wood,” “mid century,” “project,” and “needs TLC.”
For a focused sourcing checklist, go to where to find furniture to flip.
Tools and supplies you really need
You can start small. You do not need a full shop on day one.
- Basic hand tools: screwdrivers, hammer, pliers, tape measure.
- Sanding: sanding blocks or an orbital sander, plus sandpaper in a few grits.
- Repairs: wood filler, wood glue, clamps, and extra screws.
- Finishes: primer, paint or stain, topcoat, and decent brushes or rollers.
- Cleaning: shop vac, rags, degreaser, and upholstery cleaner for soft pieces.
- Safety: mask or respirator, eye protection, and gloves when needed.
Safety and sanity tips
- Lift smart. Use dollies, sliders, and a helper for heavy pieces.
- Work with airflow. Sand and paint in well-ventilated spaces and use masks when needed.
- Know when to say no. Deep rot, strong smells, or bugs are almost always a hard pass.
- Protect your time. Set simple rules for buyers about pickup times and payments.
- Set a hard budget. Decide how much cash you will put into inventory and stick to it.
Let sellers bring you your next flip
Chasing every thrift sale and curb alert takes time. Once you know what you like to flip, you can flip the script: let people bring pieces to you.
Asherfield’s used furniture buyers directory lets local sellers:
- Find buyers who focus on the types of pieces they have.
- Send clear photos and pickup details up front.
- Request quotes so you can choose only the deals that fit your style and routes.
- Buyer profile in your city
- Up to 9 photos of pieces you love to buy
- Simple “what we buy” rules for better leads
- Everything in Core
- Higher spot when sellers search for buyers
- Unlimited photos (before/after, shop, inventory)
- Everything in Pro
- Booking dashboard for viewings and pickups
- SMS + email alerts with seller photos
- Priority help tuning your profile
Next steps
- Want to pick the right first piece? Read best furniture to flip for profit and choose one of the top 10.
- Ready to double-check the money? Use the calculator in flipping furniture for profit to test your buy price and profit.
- Thinking about going pro? Open how to start a furniture flipping business for legal, money, and marketing basics.
- Want steady deal flow instead of random finds? Claim a spot in the used furniture buyers directory and let sellers send you photos and pickup requests.
- Curious what else we are building for flippers and buyers? Visit the Asherfield home page.