The short answer
Clean the piece, tighten anything loose, and look for a maker's mark. Measure it carefully, photograph it in daylight, and check recent sold prices for the same maker or similar pieces in your area. Most furniture sells locally, so plan pickup, access and safety before you list it.
Step 1: prepare it
- Empty it: remove everything from drawers, shelves and cushions.
- Tighten and fix small things: loose screws, wobbly legs, sticking drawers and missing knobs. Small fixes help a piece sell; major refinishing can lower the appeal of antiques, so ask before you strip or paint anything old.
- Gather parts: shelves, leaves, hardware, keys, cushions and assembly instructions for flat-pack furniture.
Step 2: clean it
Dust and wipe wood with a slightly damp cloth, then dry it straight away. Use a cleaner made for the material and test it in a hidden spot first. Vacuum upholstery and cushions, and check for pet hair, odors and stains. Buyers notice smells, especially smoke, in photos they cannot see but in person they will.
Step 3: find the maker and details
Look inside drawers, on the back, under the seat and underneath tabletops for labels, stamps, burned marks or tags. A known maker or designer name can change how buyers search for a piece. Note the material, such as solid wood, veneer, metal or upholstery fabric, and the style. Our guide to old furniture explains how to read joints and marks.
Step 4: measure it
Write down width, depth and height, plus seat height for chairs and sofas, and the size of any leaves. Buyers need to know it will fit through their door and in their vehicle, and good measurements cut down on questions.
Step 5: photograph it
- The whole piece from the front and at an angle, in daylight, with clutter moved out of frame.
- The sides and back, and the inside of drawers and doors.
- Any maker's mark or label.
- Close-ups of the wood grain or fabric, joints and hardware.
- Every scratch, stain, chip or repair.
Shoot at the height of the piece rather than from above, and turn on room lights as well as daylight to avoid dark shadows.
Step 6: research the value
Maker, material, style, condition and local demand drive furniture prices more than age alone. Scan the piece with WorthAI to identify the likely type, style and maker, and see an estimated worth with a range, a suggested asking price, a reading of buyer demand and the marketplace listings it found. Add a photo of any label if it asks, or tap Refine Result. Then compare recent sold prices for similar pieces, and remember that local sales often depend on how many buyers are near you.
Step 7: choose where to sell
- Local marketplaces and community groups: the main option for most furniture, with pickup by the buyer.
- Consignment and vintage furniture shops: they handle the sale for a commission, often for designer and mid-century pieces.
- Antique dealers and auctions: for genuine antiques and pieces by known makers.
- General marketplaces with freight shipping: possible for valuable or small pieces, but shipping is costly and complex.
- Yard sales: good for everyday pieces you want gone quickly.
Step 8: write the listing
Include the type of piece, maker or style, material and color. Our listing title builder helps. In the description, give the measurements, condition, whether it comes apart, whether it comes from a smoke-free or pet-free home (only if true), and pickup details such as stairs, the general area and the times you are available.
Step 9: price it and count the costs
Price from recent sales of similar pieces in your area, then leave a little room for negotiation, which is common for local furniture. If you consign or ship, use the resale profit calculator to see what you keep after commission, fees and delivery.
Step 10: meet safely
- Move the piece to a garage, porch or entryway if you can, so buyers do not need to walk through your home.
- Have another person at home during pickup.
- Share only your general area until a pickup time is agreed.
- Accept payment you can verify before the piece leaves, and be wary of overpayment or unusual payment requests.
- Let the buyer do the lifting, or agree in advance if you will help.
After the sale
Mark the listing as sold, keep the message history for a while and remove your listing photos from any other sites you posted on.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to sell furniture?
Most furniture sells locally because shipping is costly. Clean it, measure it, take clear daylight photos and make pickup easy. Valuable or designer pieces may do better through consignment or a dealer.
Should I refinish old furniture before selling it?
Not usually. Refinishing can lower the appeal of antiques and collectible pieces. Clean it and make small repairs, then describe its condition honestly.
How do I sell furniture safely?
Meet buyers in a garage or entryway rather than inside your home, have someone with you, share your exact address only once pickup is agreed and accept payment you can verify.