Not sure where to find furniture to flip? This guide shows you the best places to look, how to spot strong pieces fast, and how to build a simple weekly “route” that fits your life.
Start at home and close by
Before you hit the road, look around your own space and your close circle. It is the easiest way to practice the full flipping process with almost no risk.
- Your own home. Old dressers, side tables, or bookshelves you do not love anymore.
- Family and friends. Ask if they have pieces they want gone “this weekend.” Offer free pickup.
- Neighbors. Post a simple note or message: “I pick up old furniture in good shape. Send photos.”
These early pieces are perfect for learning repairs, paint, and pricing. Even if profit is small, the skills pay off on later flips.
Thrift stores and charity shops
Thrift and charity shops are classic hunting grounds for flippers. Stock changes often, and prices are usually low because items are donated.
How to work thrift stores well
- Ask about sale days. Many shops mark one tag color half-off each week.
- Visit on a schedule. For example, every Saturday morning or every other lunch break.
- Check furniture first. Walk straight to dressers, nightstands, tables, and chairs.
- Look for solid wood. Open drawers, feel weight, and tap the sides.
- Measure quickly. Keep room sizes and common dimensions in your notes.
What to grab, what to skip
- Grab: real-wood dressers, coffee tables, buffets, bookshelves, accent chairs.
- Maybe: small decor and side tables that match current styles.
- Skip (for now): huge armoires, cracked veneer, and anything with strong smells.
Garage sales and estate sales
Garage and estate sales can be gold mines for solid pieces at low prices, especially in neighborhoods with older, well-built furniture.
Garage sale tips
- Search local listings or apps for “moving sale” and “estate sale.”
- Go early for the best selection or late for the best prices.
- Bring cash and small bills. It makes haggling smoother.
- Bundle items: “What would you take for the dresser and both side tables?”
Estate sale tips
- Focus on solid-wood bedroom sets, dining sets, and desks.
- On the last day, many sales cut prices to move everything.
- Be respectful; these are often family homes with stories attached to each piece.
Online marketplaces and alerts
Online marketplaces let you hunt for deals without leaving home. Used well, they can fill most of your inventory.
Where to look
- Local listing sites and apps (for example, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, Nextdoor).
- Community groups focused on “buy nothing,” “curb alerts,” or “yard sale” posts.
- Local moving and expat groups where people offload pieces fast.
Search terms that help
- “Solid wood dresser” or “solid wood table.”
- “Mid century” or “MCM.”
- “Project,” “needs TLC,” or “DIY.”
- “Free furniture” or “curb pickup.”
How to use alerts and saved searches
- Save your favorite searches and turn on notifications.
- Act fast on underpriced pieces; good deals go in minutes.
- Keep a short, polite message template ready to send.
Bulk-trash weeks and curb alerts
Bulk-trash days can feel like a free store. Many people put solid furniture on the curb just to clear space fast.
- Check your city’s bulk pickup calendar and rules.
- Drive or walk routes the night before pickup, when items are already out.
- Look for dressers, desks, tables, bookshelves, and frames in good shape.
- Skip soaked, warped, or badly broken pieces; they often are not worth the work.
Build a simple weekly sourcing route
Random hunting is fun, but a simple route makes sourcing feel calm and repeatable. You can adjust it as your life changes.
Example “small but steady” route
- Monday lunch: check online saved searches and send 1–2 messages.
- Wednesday evening: quick loop through your favorite thrift store.
- Saturday morning: one or two garage or estate sales near each other.
- Bulk-trash week: add one short curb-drive to your route.
Track where your best flips come from. Over a few months, you may see that certain stores, neighborhoods, or keywords bring the most profit. Lean into those and drop what is not working.
Let sellers bring deals to you
Turn your sourcing list into an inbox
Driving from thrift store to thrift store works. But if you want steady inventory without all the chasing, you can invite sellers to bring their pieces to you instead.
Asherfield’s used furniture buyers directory lets local sellers:
- Search for buyers who focus on the pieces they have.
- Upload clear photos and share pickup details from their phone.
- Ask for quotes so you can accept 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
FAQs
- What is the single best place to find furniture to flip?
- There is no one magic place. Most flippers use a mix: thrift stores, online marketplaces, garage sales, and curb alerts. The “best” spot is the one that gives you steady, solid-wood pieces in your area.
- How far should I drive for a good deal?
- As a simple rule, only drive farther if the piece is clearly underpriced and your profit will still look strong after gas and time. Big-ticket items like buffets and sofas can justify longer trips.
- How do I avoid bringing home junk?
- Check each piece in good light. Look for solid wood, sturdy frames, and minor wear. Skip deep rot, bad smells, and heavy damage. If you are unsure, it is okay to say no.
- Is it worth grabbing free pieces?
- Sometimes. Free can be great if the item is sturdy and matches what buyers want. But a bad free piece that sits in your garage for months still costs you space and time. Use the same standards you would for paid items.
- How many places should I check each week?
- It is better to have a small, repeatable route than to chase everything. Even one thrift store visit, one short drive during bulk-trash week, and a few saved searches can keep you stocked.
Next steps
- Decide on a simple weekly route and write it down. Include at least one thrift stop and one online search block.
- Use best furniture to flip for profit to choose which pieces to target on your next hunt.
- Run your numbers in flipping furniture for profit before you say yes to a big piece.
- New to repairs and paint? Follow the steps in how to flip furniture for your first few projects.
- Ready for more steady deals instead of random finds? Claim a spot in the used furniture buyers directory.
- Curious what else we are building for flippers and buyers? Visit the Asherfield home page.