Buying Used Furniture: What to Check

23 guides to buying furniture second hand — what to check, what a fair price looks like, and the questions to ask before you pay.

What goes wrong buying furniture used

Size, and whether it will actually get into your home. After that, whether it is solid wood or veneered board, because only one of those survives a house move.

Misrepresentation and fakes

Reproduction pieces sold as period or designer originals are the issue here rather than counterfeits — an unattributed ‘mid-century style’ piece is usually exactly that.

How to verify before you pay

Ask for the height, width and depth, whether it dismantles, and whether the original fixings and instructions are present. Measure your doorway before you commit.

WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and does not hold funds. You are buying on the seller’s description and photographs, so ask directly — a seller who has the item will answer in minutes.

What you should expect to pay

Across this category, guide prices run from about £10 to £550 (approximately $13 to $733) depending on the item and its condition. Grades run New with Tags, Like New, Good, Fair and For Parts — what each one means.

Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026).

What each one typically costs

The most-searched items in this category, with the guide range a buyer should expect:

Item	Good condition	Full range
Corner Sofa	£65–£358	£100–£550 (~$133–$733)
Sofa	£39–£260	£60–£400 (~$80–$533)
Sofa Bed	£52–£260	£80–£400 (~$107–$533)
Dining Table	£32–£228	£50–£350 (~$67–$466)
Wardrobe	£32–£195	£50–£300 (~$67–$400)
Bed Frame	£26–£162	£40–£250 (~$53–$333)
Desk	£20–£117	£30–£180 (~$40–$240)
Office Chair	£20–£117	£30–£180 (~$40–$240)

Every furniture buying guide

Frequently asked questions

What should I check before buying furniture second hand?

Ask for the height, width and depth, whether it dismantles, and whether the original fixings and instructions are present. Measure your doorway before you commit.

What goes wrong most often?

Size, and whether it will actually get into your home. After that, whether it is solid wood or veneered board, because only one of those survives a house move.

Does WishThrift check the item for me?

No. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and does not hold funds or offer buyer protection. Condition is described by the seller against five grades and the photographs are what you are buying on — which is why these 23 guides exist.