Flipping Furniture For Profit: How To Get Started

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Looking for a way to make a little extra money? I’m guessing that if you landed on this page, you want to learn more about flipping furniture for profit. And you are in the right place! If you love DIY and have an interest in upcycling vintage furniture, this guide will give you all the information you need to get started.

Is furniture flipping for you?

If you are brand new to refinishing or painting furniture, I would recommend trying it out on a few of your own pieces before deciding you want to do this as a business or side hustle. Furniture flipping is a lot of work when done correctly, and parts of it can be downright tedious. So, it’s a good idea to make sure you love (or at least enjoy) the work! My path started when we bought our first home in 2007 and needed to furnish it on a budget. From there it evolved into selling pieces for profit.

Learning how to refinish furniture AND how to run a business are two separate things and it’s hard to learn both at once. That said, it is totally possible – just make sure you aren’t too hard on yourself in the beginning. You may not make much money (based on the time you are putting in) on your first couple of furniture flips. But like any skill, the more you practice, the better and faster you will become. And over time, your finished pieces will improve and you’ll be able to charge more for them.

In this post, I’m not going to go into all the details on how to paint or refinish furniture. I have lots on my website already about the basics of painting furniture, stripping and staining, paint washing, and other special techniques to add character to your project.

Get a business plan

This sounds more daunting than it is. But even if you are just trying this out and selling as a hobby or side hustle, it’s important to have a plan. Take yourself and your business seriously and you are more likely to be successful! It’s important to consider the following:

• Legal and Tax Considerations: Do you need an LLC? Should you charge sales tax? These details vary by location, so consult an accountant for specifics.
• Tracking Finances: Start simple—use a basic spreadsheet to track supplies, expenses, time spent, and sale prices. This helps determine if you’re making a profit.
• Marketing and Selling Strategy: Consider setting up an Instagram or Facebook page to showcase your work. Social media is a free and effective marketing tool!

Three keys to profitability

Three things will impact your bottom line: buying your project piece, supply costs and time, and how much you sell it for at the end. Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy formula for pricing and profitability. Furniture costs vary significantly based on location, as do the prices you can charge for your finished work. Understanding how these three things work for you is the key to maximizing your profitability.

1. Buying furniture to flip

The cost of your project peice is a huge factor in your profitability. The less you pay, the higher your profit. However, I don’t always recommend going for the cheapest (or even free) piece that you find. Often they are cheap or free for a reason and will require extra labor and supplies to get them restored (see more on that below). It’s a tradeoff for sure.

Where to Find Furniture

There are so many places you can find furniture these days. Thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, and yard sales/estate sales are some of my favorites. I have a whole article on places to find furniture, with lots of details on buying furniture in these spaces.

What Type of furniture to look for

Choosing pieces that will sell quickly or for more money is another way to maximize your profit. Obviously, this is easier said than done, as it depends on your market and skill set. For me, dressers always sell quickly. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, I couldn’t refinish desks fast enough to keep up with the demand! My buffets may sit a little longer, but I can get more money for them. And you can sell bigger pieces for more than smaller pieces – but they may sit a bit longer becuase they are harder to transport.

2. Supply costs and time

The cost of supplies is another factor in your bottom line. While it’s important to use quality products, it’s also important not to overdo it. In the beginning, there are some supplies I think are worthwhile to have on hand, as well as tools that are worth considering as you start to grow your business. And while it can be fun to add new hardware, new feet, or other fun design elements, all of that adds up! So make sure you are tracking what supplies you are using so things don’t get out of hand.

Time is money – you don’t want to be working for free! In the beginning, this may be okay, but over time it is not sustainable. Track your time so that you have an understanding of how much you’re actually making in an hour. And remember you only have so much time – so taking on one time-consuming project versus two easier ones may end up costing you. Remember, those “free” pieces of furniture usually aren’t free!

3. Pricing and selling refinished furniture

Pricing your furniture to sell is arguably the hardest part! It takes time to learn your market and what people are willing to pay. When I first started, I sold primarily on Facebook Marketplace, and I still list and make sales on it today. If you have a social media presence, you can post your pieces on there as well. Other options include consigning at a local store or renting your own booth in a warehouse or store.

Ways to help with sales

Staging your photos

A picture is worth a thousand words! You want to showcase your work. High-quality, well-lit photos can help your furniture sell faster and for a higher price. Avoid clutter, use natural light when possible, and style the piece attractively. This was a struggle for me in the beginning, and I think it is for most furniture flippers. It can be hard to find a place to photograph and to get the right balance of “stuff” to add to your furniture. Give yourself some grace when you’re just starting, but also make sure you don’t ignore it altogether. And be sure to check out these great staging tips if you want to up your staging game.

Offer delivery

The number one question I get when selling on Facebook Marketplace is whether I offer delivery. Many potential buyers out there may not be able to pick up a peice from you. If you decide to offer delivery, make sure you are charging for this service and have some limitations on how far you are willing to go. Initially, I did offer delivery, but it became too time-consuming and labor-intensive. Now I refer my customers to a service like Dolly, which allows them to set up their own delivery.

Offer to ship

If you want to expand your customer base a great way to do this is to sell nationwide and offer shipping. When I started shipping a couple of years ago, I opened an Esty shop to increase my exposure. I’d recommend holding off on this until you’re comfortable refinishing and selling things locally, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind as a way to grow your business.

Summary

Flipping furniture for profit is a rewarding and creative side hustle, but success takes planning, patience, and practice. Start small, track your progress, and refine your strategy as you grow. And if you have any questions at all, leave them in the comments below!

Other Helpful articles:

• The Best Furniture to Flip for Profit
• Where to Find Great Furniture to Flip
• How to Sell Furniture on Facebook Marketplace
• Selling Furniture on Etsy: A Guide for Success
• Setting Goals for a Successful Furniture Refinishing Business

Want to take your furniture business to the next level? I’m here to help. I’ve been running my own furniture business for 5 years and managing small businesses for more than 10. I want to help you