How to sell furniture online in the UK
Furniture is bulky, but it sells well locally: people want a cheap sofa, desk or wardrobe and are happy to collect it. Here's how to get yours gone with as little hassle as possible.
Where to sell
- Facebook Marketplace is the biggest place for local furniture sales, and buyers expect to collect.
- Gumtree and local selling groups work well too.
- eBay with "collection only" suits branded, vintage or designer pieces that buyers will travel for.
- Vinted for smaller pieces that can be posted, like lamps, mirrors and side tables.
See Facebook Marketplace tips for listings people find.
Measurements decide the sale
The first thing a buyer asks is "will it fit?" Give width × depth × height in centimetres, plus anything else that matters: seat height for chairs and sofas, mattress size for beds, drawer sizes, and whether it comes apart. Say whether it needs two people to carry.
Photos
Clear the clutter around it and shoot in daylight. Take the whole piece from the front and at an angle, then close-ups of the material, any marks or wear, inside drawers and doors, and the maker's label if there is one. For upholstered furniture, photograph the fire safety label too: many buyers, charities and collection services look for it.
Pricing
Look at similar pieces nearby on Facebook Marketplace and sold listings on eBay. Most furniture sells for a fraction of its original price, because buyers are factoring in collecting it. Well-known brands, solid wood, vintage and mid-century pieces hold value best. If you just want it gone quickly, price it to sell: a lower price means fewer no-shows.
Arranging collection safely
- Agree a time and confirm the day before. No-shows are common.
- Have the piece ready near the door, or in a garage or hallway, so buyers don't need to come far into your home.
- Have someone else at home when buyers come round.
- Don't share your full address until a time is agreed.
Getting paid
Take cash, or a bank transfer that has actually arrived in your account before they take the item. Screenshots of a payment are easy to fake, and so are emails claiming a payment is "pending". Never accept overpayments or courier pick-up arrangements from buyers you haven't met: they're common scams.
What won't sell
If something hasn't sold after a couple of price drops, try listing it for free (it'll usually go the same day), donate it to a furniture charity that collects, or book your council's bulky waste collection.
Snap it, list it, get it collected
Photograph the piece and Snappy writes the title, description and a suggested price for Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or eBay. Add your measurements and it's ready.
Try Snappy free → 3 free listings · no card neededFAQ
Facebook Marketplace for most local sales, Gumtree and local groups as alternatives, and eBay collection-only for branded or vintage pieces.
Width, depth and height in centimetres, plus seat height for seating, mattress size for beds, and whether it comes apart.
Cash, or a bank transfer you have confirmed has arrived in your account before the item leaves. Don't rely on payment screenshots.
List it for free, donate it to a furniture charity that collects, or book your council's bulky waste collection.