How to buy second hand furniture

If you are looking to buy second hand furniture and you want to get the best for your money, follow some of the tips below and you can have a great piece that is going to last for years to come.

Before you start...

First, before you start thinking of buying second hand furniture you need to think about what it is you really want. What size, colour, condition, make and model are all key factors in your choice. Determining what you require first, will help you focus your search, and prevent you getting distracted away from the hunt for your perfect piece.

Furniture Stability

When you find that one piece of furniture that fits your requirement, you need to look at the stability and condition of the furniture. If you are considering a larger purchase, it is advisable to request a viewing before you bid/buy. The seller should be only to happy to show you the item, after all you are showing your interest in the their furniture is serious. Things to bare in mind; When you touch the top, do the sides move? When you put your hand on the side of the furniture does it move or does it feel structurally solid? The more solid the furniture, the less it moves, the better the piece is that you are purchasing. This is especially important when buying second hand furniture that is either required to support heavy loads, or will be frequently moved.

What's on the back of your furniture, nails or screws?

A strange question you may think, but what is on the back of the piece of furniture can be very important. Is the back panel nailed on or is it screwed on? A back panel that is screwed is going to last longer than panels that are nailed. Nails will loosen over time and may come out when the furniture is moved. However, furniture with screws will hold much better and for a much longer, meaning your second hand furniture is going to be stronger and well worth the money that you are paying for it.

Buying second hand cabinets, chest of drawers or shelving

While you are pulling out the drawers on a chest or any item with draws, do they move easily and without force or are they difficult to move? The drawers that don’t slide easily could break faster because you are more likely to force them and put extra stress on the wood when moving them in and out. However take a close look to see if you can find the reason for any problems, often a simple solution can be found - read advice on fixing drawers

Cabinet doors should close neatly and without too much effort. Doors that close easily and fit flush against the second hand furniture you are considering will last longer. Doors that you have to force shut or have to force open are going to have additional stress put on the wood and thus can break, or bow.

If there are long shelves on your chosen furniture, there should be no cracks in the wood at all. The shelves should be straight and in line, with no cracks that could get bigger and break altogether. With long shelving, there should be some type of brace to evenly distribute any weight applied to the shelf. Shelves without bracing can bow over time, causing a bad overall look and possible break.

Buying second hand tables

When looking to buy second hand tables, look for a table that is fit for your requirements. If the table will be load baring look for one that has braces on each leg, to evenly distribute the weight and ensure you and your items are well supported. If your chosen table has a centre leaf, look for one that is constructed from a single piece of wood and that is not going to crack or bow under the weight. Make sure the wood is durable enough for your requirements, hard or soft wood? Don't forget, often damaged tables can be repaired to look good as new, so hunt for a bargain in need of some tlc and repair it to look however you wish.

For furniture with hinges and braces you should ensure they are stainless steel and strong enough to support the weight of the furniture. Hinges on the doors should be flush when closing and coated with some type of material that will help prevent rust if you are using them in the kitchen. Some metals will be waxed so that it will keep the moisture from rusting the metals.

Buying second hand chairs

When buying second hand chairs make sure they are stable, and of course comfortable. The seat of the chair should be a porous materials that will let the heat from your body evaporate. Hard chairs that are shaped to meet the shape of your body can be more comfortable than you may think. The front of the seat should be rounded, so that it will aid in the circulation to your legs. The chairs that are straight and hard can be ‘hard’ on your legs over the years. Check the upholstery, is it ripped or overly worn? Is it comfortable to site on and what position does it force or allow you to sit in? If your looking for an office chair, is it the correct working height for your desk?


Purchasing second hand furniture can be very rewarding and of course good for the community and environment as a whole. Furniture should last you longer than a year, and often when you search for heavy duty and stable furniture it is going to last you more than ten or twenty years, so be sure that your choice is one that fits your personal preferences and matches the size and look of your home.