Learn how I make money thrifting, and how I made over $11,000 in sales last year by flipping furniture.
It is no secret to anyone that knows me (even just a little bit) that I LOVE thrifting. I love thrifting so much that I decided that it was time to start making extra money by flipping some of my second-hand item.
Earning a little extra income is something we all can use, but finding lucrative side hustles that will fit in easily with an already busy schedule can be difficult. Popping into the thrift shop was already something that I was doing on the regular, so I figured why not start the selling process for something I was already spending time doing?
Let me tell you why you should flip store furniture finds to make extra cash. In this post I will highlight a few reasons selling thrift store furniture finds is lucrative, easy, fast and fun.
5 Reasons Why You Should Flip Thrift Store Furniture
1. Making Extra Income
My number one reason for flipping furniture from thrift stores is because it is a great way to make extra income. I regularly clear $500-$1000 (profit) a month in less than 15 hours of work (for the whole month) by thrift store flipping.
The relatively cheap prices that I can find for in-demand items keeps me a loyal customer to my local thrift stores. Thrift stores, while they can have a higher price than you would like to see, often have low prices on items when they are overstocked. That being said, timing is key (more on that in another post).
By finding profitable items in great condition you can often have a mark-up of 3-10x what you paid for it. This kind of resale value is a regular occurrence in the market that I sell in, and I actually live in a very rural area. I would be willing to bet, in a more populated area you could potentially have an even larger profit margin.
My best items go quickly on Facebook Marketplace and sell within 1-2 weeks. Last year I was able to bring in over $11,000 (before expenses and taxes) selling exclusively on Facebook Marketplace. There are other online marketplaces, however, I prefer to keep my processes simple and repeatable, and have found Facebook Marketplace to be the most successful so far.
With the extra income my husband and I have been able to pay off debt and work towards other goals for our family that will have lasting impact. Not only is selling thrift store furniture profitable it is super easy.
2. Helps Support the Local Community and Local Economy
Nonprofit organizations hold big space in the circular economy, and your local thrift store is often benefiting a charity. My favorite charity shop is one that helps rehabilitate men from the community that deal with addictions. I have come to know some of the participants on a first name basis and enjoy our haggle game we sometimes engage in.
Another big benefit is that local charity based thrift shops often offer pickup, which translates to possible rare items in their inventory. Because the clients they pickup from generally don’t have the time (but plenty of resources) to drop off items to the thrift shop, this equals some pretty amazing finds for you. Everybody wins in the circular economy model!
Thrifting for furniture, doesn’t have to be limited to a “thrift store”. You may find that you can get your best deals at garage sales, estate sales, a flea market, social media or even new items on the clearance aisle at a retail store.
I love my local thrift stores not only because the secondhand market helps me support a charitable mission, but also helps me stretch my dollar further. Once you find a few good resources that fit in easily with your routine you can streamline your process and keep your inventory fresh.
3. Flipping Furniture is Flippin’ Easy
By shopping various thrift stores regularly I am able to easily find good things in good shape without spending a ton of time looking. For me, my time is money, so while I frequent the local stores, I don’t spend more than 10-20 minutes per visit, including check-out.
Because I am looking almost exclusively for furniture, I am able to get in and get out without digging (I really hate digging). Since furniture is large, it’s easy to spot and inspect quickly. I can determine if it is in good condition and whether it’s good quality within a just a few minutes.
If I am not sure about an item, I do a quick search online to see if I can find comps. I have learned what to spend money on and what to leave in the store for someone else. Chairs are my #1 sellers and they sell quickly, so that is what I consistently look for whenever I am looking for thrift store items.
To keep things easy, I only purchase items that need little or no repair. If I can’t simply clean it up, put new hardware, or make a simple repair myself (no hubby involved) I leave it at the store. I learned the hard way on this one and still have pieces in inventory (that I told myself I could fix) that sit waiting for repair.
The main reason I have set these purchasing boundaries for myself, is because I need the items I invest in to sell fast. I’m not interested in keeping loads of inventory or renting a storage unit for items to sit in. That cuts into my profit margin and my time.
4. Items Sell Fast
The faster an item sells the better. I tend stick to what has historically sells well for me, which are vintage and antique items. As I mentioned before, chairs are my best sellers. My husband has created a funny tag line for my company “Everybody has a butt” (funny, true and slightly memorable).
Chairs are my top seller, but there are specific categories that move just as fast when you know what to look for. You may find that other things sell faster for you, like lamps, or tables or even household items. The best way to find what sells fast for you is to experiment in your market.
Once you find items in high demand in your area, you have already put in the hard work. So, keep your inventory small and profitable and stick to those items. Keep your items moving fast and learn how to respond quickly and easily to customers here.
My inventory changes weekly and I like it that way. For me this is part of why I like selling so much, because there is so much turn-over so often. For someone who is ADHD this kind of change keeps me invigorated to find the next amazing piece.
5. Reselling Furniture is Fun
Reselling furniture is fun and satisfying. It has been one of the best options I have tried for reselling. This kind of reselling scratches several itches for me all at once. I LOVE thrifting – box checked here. I LOVE staging and styling – box checked here. I LOVE vintage and antique items, but I can’t keep everything I buy, so this box is checked too.
Because I enjoy the entire process, it has been the best fit for me and my family for so many reasons. Even though I am spending time doing this, it energizes me for other tasks in and around my home.
If you’re looking for a side hustle that fits into an already full life, gives you creative satisfaction, and generates actual profit without steep learning curves or major startup costs, furniture flipping checks every box.
Conclusion
Reselling isn’t complicated. For this model, there’s no need to dig through clothing racks to find designer clothing with brand names, get an online appraisal report, work hard at online auctions or reach a wider audience to make a profit.
With thrift flipping furniture, a great place to start is with something you already have to generate startup capital and if you don’t have anything you want to sell right now, you could easily hit a yard sale or two and find pieces that are worth investing in.
The best part about this great side hustle is that you can start with just one amazing thrift store find and not much money. As a stay-at-home-mom this is my “real job” and it I LOVE it.
Ready to Start Flipping Thrift Store Furniture?
Flipping thrift store furniture isn’t just about making extra cash, though the money is fantastic. It’s about finding a sustainable side income that actually fits into real life without adding stress or stealing time from what matters most.
The system works because it’s simple, repeatable, and profitable. You’re not trying to build a furniture empire, you’re creating consistent monthly income by doing something you probably already enjoy.
Download my free printable guide for getting started with flipping thrifted furniture. It includes a shopping checklist for what to look for at thrift stores, a quick-reference pricing formula, and red flags to avoid when buying secondhand furniture.
Start small, test your local market, and refine your process. The furniture is sitting in thrift stores right now waiting for you to turn it into profit.
Let me know if you have questions, share a win or have been flipping furniture and have some tips in the comments below.
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