Best Online Platforms for Selling Furniture

Looking for the best places to sell your furniture online? The furniture market is huge, and selling furniture—whether it's used or brand-new—can be a lucrative venture. However, choosing the right platform is key to maximizing your profits and minimizing hassle. There are a variety of online platforms that cater to different needs, from local marketplaces to global e-commerce giants. Whether you're a small business, a solo seller, or a larger enterprise, picking the right platform will make all the difference. Below, we explore the best online platforms for selling furniture, providing you with key insights and strategies to succeed.

1. Why You Should Care About the Right Platform

Selling furniture online isn’t just about taking great pictures and slapping a price tag on them. The platform you choose determines how easily you can reach your target audience, how you get paid, and how much effort you need to invest. Selecting the wrong platform can waste your time and money. Some platforms offer greater visibility but at a higher commission, while others may be free but offer limited features.

Choosing the right platform can influence:

• Profit margins: How much you take home after platform fees and shipping.
• Audience reach: Some platforms have millions of users; others are more niche.
• Ease of use: Simplified posting, communication with buyers, and payment processing.

2. Facebook Marketplace

A strong contender in online furniture selling, Facebook Marketplace stands out due to its local selling capabilities and the ability to easily communicate with buyers through Messenger. There are no listing fees, and with the vast number of users on Facebook, your furniture listing is almost guaranteed to get some attention.

Key advantages:

• No listing fees: Sell your items without worrying about upfront costs.
• Local selling made easy: Buyers in your area are just a message away.
• Exposure: With billions of active users, your chances of finding a buyer are quite high.

3. Craigslist

Craigslist is a classic for selling furniture locally. While it may seem a little outdated compared to modern platforms, it’s still highly effective for people looking to sell without any platform fees. It's perfect for larger furniture pieces that buyers are willing to pick up in person.

Key advantages:

• No fees: Post your items for free.
• Local convenience: Best for selling locally, minimizing shipping and handling.
• Fast turnover: Items often sell quickly due to its high local traffic.

However, you must be cautious of scams. Always communicate through the platform and never accept overpayments.

4. Etsy

Etsy may be better known for handmade goods, but it’s also a great platform for selling unique or vintage furniture. If your furniture has an artistic, vintage, or handmade element, Etsy could be your best bet. It’s more suited for sellers offering niche, custom, or one-of-a-kind pieces rather than standard furniture.

Key advantages:

• Niche audience: Perfect for custom, artistic, or vintage furniture.
• Global reach: You can sell to buyers all over the world.
• Seller tools: Etsy provides excellent tools for managing inventory and tracking sales.

One downside to Etsy is its fees, which include listing fees and transaction fees, making it a bit more costly for sellers compared to free local platforms.

5. eBay

eBay is a well-known platform for selling anything, including furniture. It's great for reaching a global audience, and you can choose between auctioning off your pieces or setting a fixed price. If you're looking to sell unique, high-end, or antique furniture, eBay’s global reach can be a huge advantage.

Key advantages:

• Auction or buy now: You can choose the sale method that works best for you.
• Global reach: Sell to customers worldwide.
• Buyer protection: eBay has systems in place to ensure safe transactions.

However, eBay’s fees can add up. Sellers pay a listing fee as well as a final value fee once the item sells. Shipping logistics for larger items can also be a headache.

6. OfferUp

OfferUp is another strong platform, particularly for local furniture sales. It started as a competitor to Craigslist and has grown rapidly. The app allows users to sell locally, and it also provides shipping options for those willing to go beyond their local area.

Key advantages:

• Easy to use: The app interface is simple and intuitive.
• Local focus: Perfect for buyers who can pick up items.
• Optional shipping: You can expand your reach by offering shipping.

One limitation is that OfferUp charges a service fee for items shipped, and it’s not as globally recognized as eBay or Amazon.

7. Chairish

Chairish is a more niche platform focused on high-end, vintage, and designer furniture. If you're selling higher-end or collectible pieces, Chairish is the ideal marketplace. They handle a lot of the logistical aspects, like shipping, for you.

Key advantages:

• Target audience: Chairish attracts buyers specifically looking for upscale furniture.
• Concierge services: They assist with shipping and logistics for larger items.
• Premium prices: Sellers often fetch higher prices compared to other platforms.

One downside to Chairish is that they charge a relatively high commission—up to 30%—so it may not be ideal for sellers looking to maximize their profit.

8. AptDeco

AptDeco is a regional platform popular in major U.S. cities, offering a middle ground between local selling and nationwide platforms. They take care of payments and delivery, making the process seamless for sellers.

Key advantages:

• All-in-one service: AptDeco handles delivery and payment, making the process smooth for both buyers and sellers.
• Curated listings: They only accept furniture in good condition, which increases buyer trust.

Like Chairish, AptDeco takes a commission on sales, and their services are currently limited to certain U.S. areas, mostly major cities.

9. Amazon

Yes, Amazon also allows furniture sales, particularly for large retailers or those willing to invest in fulfillment services like Amazon FBA. For smaller sellers, it may be overkill unless you’re looking to scale up significantly.

Key advantages:

• Huge audience: Amazon’s platform gives you access to millions of buyers.
• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): For larger sellers, Amazon’s fulfillment services can take care of shipping and customer service.

However, the fees for selling on Amazon can be steep, and competition is fierce, especially for standard furniture pieces.

10. Shopify

If you're serious about creating your own furniture brand, Shopify is an excellent platform. While it requires more effort to set up than simply listing on a marketplace, you’ll have complete control over your store, branding, and customer experience. Shopify integrates with multiple sales channels and offers features like inventory management, customer tracking, and marketing tools.

Key advantages:

• Complete control: Build your own brand and storefront.
• Integrated tools: Shopify offers everything from payment processing to inventory management.
• Customizability: You can customize your website to reflect your brand and values.

The downside is that Shopify requires more upfront work and investment. However, for serious sellers, the control and long-term benefits make it worth the effort.

Final Thoughts

Each platform has its own pros and cons depending on what you’re selling, how much you’re willing to invest, and how you want to handle transactions and shipping. From local marketplaces like Facebook and Craigslist to global giants like Amazon and Shopify, your choice should depend on your target market, the scale of your operations, and the type of furniture you're offering.