Cost of living worries, a commitment to sustainability, and the rise of mass-produced items have created the perfect storm for Gen Z — many of whom have turned to used furniture sites to kit out their apartments.
High-quality used furniture is appealing to consumers for many reasons:
- It’s often more unique than items you would find in Ikea and other big-box retailers
- Many vintage items are built to last
- Buying second-hand is more environmentally friendly than buying new
A study by Deloitte found that Gen Z’s interest in thrifting could have something to do with the recession of 2007 to 2009, a pivotal moment when the oldest members of Gen Z were just entering their teenage years. “Many grew up experiencing financial hardship, and so it makes perfect sense that they’d be searching out economically friendly ways of staying in fashion,” wrote Refinery29.
Fortunately, these five resources to help conscientious shoppers exist:
1. OfferUp
OfferUp merged with LetGo to create one big marketplace for buying and selling furniture. It’s one of the biggest online places to source secondhand furniture, so you have a good chance of reaching real sellers. You only pay a fee if you end up having to ship your item; if you’re a seller, you can list items for free. It could take some patience to find what you want, but if you’re hunting for a deal, start here.
2. Apt Deco
AptDeco takes the hassle out of buying used furniture. This app’s hands-on approach makes it incredibly easy to browse listings, categorizing items by brand, style, and item — even offering a quiz to help you determine what your decor style is. Plus, AptDeco offers professional delivery services, handling pickup, delivery, and assembly. If you’re not sure the seller is legit, there’s even a money-back guarantee in case you aren’t 100% satisfied.
3. Chairish
Looking for something a little more luxe? Try Chairish, a marketplace for used furniture that’s a lot more curated than your average Craigslist page. The Chairish app is curated by a team of real humans that require sellers to apply before they can post listings. As a result, the items listed on the site are guaranteed to be high-quality and tasteful. Selling furniture? Expect to get a commission around 70% — it’s steep, but you can be assured that users of Chairish know what to look for.
4. Everything But The House
Everything But The House mimics an estate sale—but online. Not only can you find weird and wonderful vintage home goods, but also jewelry, instruments, and toys. There are deals to be had on this site: it acts as an auction, with all items starting at $1. Plus, the site lists plenty of buying guides to help you make sure you are getting the right price for each item.
5. Kaiyo
Kaiyo is similar to AptDeco, curating used furniture by brand and taking the stress out of buying secondhand furniture. The site claims to evaluate and clean each piece before it arrives at the buyer’s door. There are dozens of retailers listed on the platform, including brands like Crate & Barrel, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Restoration Hardware, and more.
