Buzz
Turn your crafting skills into profit with this guide
Are you seeking ways to boost your earnings during your spare time? If you possess some basic DIY skills, then refurbishing furniture presents a fantastic opportunity to rejuvenate outdated pieces and generate supplementary income. Starting the process of refinishing and selling furniture is straightforward, and we’ll guide you through the essential steps to flip your inaugural item. Continue reading to discover where to source furniture, how to enhance its appearance, and successfully sell it for a profit.
Key Points to Consider
- Scout for top-notch end tables, nightstands, dressers, or buffets at thrift stores, yard sales, or online platforms that you can revamp and sell for profit.
- Acquire the necessary tools and materials to begin, such as a basic toolkit, sanding sponges, primer, paint or stain, and a protective sealant.
- Thoroughly clean, sand, prime, and paint the furniture to rejuvenate its surface.
- Market your refurbished furniture on an online platform. Set a competitive price relative to similar items to ensure profitability.
Procedure
Discovering Furniture Gems for Refurbishing
Focus on acquiring furniture that serves a purpose and is in decent condition. When you're starting out, aim for end tables, nightstands, buffet cabinets, and dressers as they're among the simplest and most profitable pieces to refurbish. Before making a purchase, inspect the furniture for any cracks or damage. Test movable parts like drawers or cabinet hinges to ensure smooth operation.
- Target buffet cabinets priced at $250 USD or lower, dressers at $150 USD or less, and small end tables and nightstands at $25 USD or below.
- Avoid investing in damaged furniture or items requiring extensive repairs as they won't yield as much profit.
- Keep a close watch on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist to stay updated on trending or sought-after furniture types.
Regularly visit thrift stores to scout for new pieces to refurbish. Make it a habit to explore your local thrift and antique shops to discover their latest additions. Inquire about the days they restock furniture for the widest selection of items.
Utilize online marketplaces to connect with local sellers. Log in to platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist and peruse the furniture listings. Start by browsing the “Free” category for potential profit-making items. If a piece catches your eye, reach out to the seller for more details and to arrange pickup.
- Prioritize listings that include detailed dimensions and multiple high-quality images to avoid scams or subpar items.
- Consider negotiating a lower price if the listed price is too high. Sellers may be willing to negotiate, especially if they're eager to sell quickly.
Scour yard and estate sales for vintage furniture treasures. Search for local garage sales using social media or newspaper listings. Pay special attention to sales advertising old or antique furniture. Arrive early to browse all available items before they're snapped up by others.
- Ensure you have a suitable vehicle like a truck or van to transport any furniture purchases.
- Alternatively, keep an eye out for discarded furniture on trash collection days, particularly during bulk item pickups, as you might find lightly used pieces people are discarding.
Reach out to acquaintances and relatives to inquire about unwanted furniture. Spread the word that you're seeking inexpensive or complimentary furniture, and inquire whether anyone has unused pieces. Even if they don't have furniture themselves, they may notify you if they come across any items you're interested in.
- If you have friends who are relocating, inquire whether they plan to take all their furniture with them. They might be upgrading their furnishings for their new residence, leaving behind older furniture.
Reviving Furniture
Equip yourself with essential tools and materials for furniture refurbishment. While you don't necessarily need a workshop, certain supplies are indispensable for any refurbishment project. Investing in high-quality tools ensures their longevity for future endeavors. The initial supplies required include:
- Basic tools such as a hammer, screwdriver, and pliers
- All-purpose cleaner or degreaser
- Sanding sponges or an electric sander
- Paintbrushes
- Primer
- Paint or stain
- Polyurethane or shellac sealant
Cleanse the furniture using an all-purpose cleaner or degreaser. Apply your chosen cleaner onto a soft microfiber cloth and use it to clean the furniture. Wipe the entire surface to eliminate any buildup or grime that could affect the paint or stain. For stubborn buildup, consider using a commercial degreaser. After cleaning, wipe the piece with a damp cloth to remove any residual cleaner.
- If your furniture has peeling or blistered paint, apply a paint stripper to the surface. Once the paint begins to bubble and lift, use a putty knife to scrape it away.
- Before cleaning, remove any knobs, handles, hinges, or other hardware from the furniture.
Distress or scuff the old finish of your furniture by sanding. For smaller pieces like end tables or nightstands, use a sanding sponge to rub the surface. Employ small circular motions until you expose bare wood beneath the paint or stain. For larger items such as cabinets and dressers, opt for an electric sander to expedite the process.
- Sanding the surface promotes optimal adhesion of primer, paint, or stain to the wood, resulting in a smooth, even finish.
- If you're using chalk paint, sanding may be unnecessary. Refer to the product packaging for recommendations.
If you're painting, apply primer to your furniture. Work in a well-ventilated area, such as a garage or a room with open windows. Use a paintbrush or roller to apply the primer evenly over the furniture’s surface. Begin with a thin coat and allow it to dry for approximately 1–2 hours. If the wood is still visible through the primer, apply another coat and wait several more hours for it to dry.
- Check if your paint already includes primer. If so, there's no need for a separate primer coat.
- Avoid using primer if you intend to stain the furniture.
- Primer ensures an even paint finish and prevents wood knots from showing through.
Choose to paint or stain the piece. Opt for paint if you desire a contemporary look with vibrant color. Alternatively, select stain for a more elegant appearance that retains the natural wood grain. Apply thin coats of paint or stain to the entire piece, allowing about an hour of drying time between each coat. Once the furniture achieves a smooth, uniform color, allow the paint or stain to dry completely.
- Wipe off excess stain between coats to prevent the wood from darkening beyond your expectations.
- When painting, avoid using overly bright or bold colors as they may reduce buyer interest. Stick to white, black, or muted neutral tones for broader appeal.
Protect the surface with a sealant. Apply either polyurethane or shellac as a protective finish. Using a brush, coat the surface with sealant to preserve the wood. Allow the sealant to dry for 1–2 hours before lightly sanding the surface and applying a second coat.
- Sealant guards wooden furniture against water damage and shields it from minor scratches and dents.
Marketing Your Refurbished Furniture
Capture high-quality photos of the piece you’re selling. Position the furniture against a plain wall in a well-lit area of your home, free from clutter. Enhance the presentation by adding select items such as a lamp, potted plant, or stack of books. Take a minimum of 6 photos at eye level, ensuring to capture every angle so potential buyers can appreciate all the details of the piece.
- Investing effort into staging your furniture helps potential buyers envision it in their own space.
Set competitive prices for your furniture to ensure profitability. Research similar listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to gauge local buyer preferences. Factor in your initial investment, supplies, and labor when determining prices. While rates may vary based on your location and expenses, consider setting prices towards the higher end of the spectrum. This strategy allows room for negotiation while still ensuring a profit.
- Base your prices on the higher end to accommodate potential negotiations while maintaining profitability.
Compose a detailed description for your furniture piece. Include brand information (if available), dimensions, and notable features in your listing to provide buyers with clear expectations. Specify delivery options and honestly disclose any defects or damage. Transparency builds trust with potential buyers.
- Example: Fully refurbished Mid-Century Modern dresser in excellent condition. Elevate your bedroom decor with this vintage dresser boasting a stylish coat of paint. Minor dents on the top surface; otherwise, flawless with functional drawers. Dimensions: 30 inches wide x 18 inches deep x 60 inches tall.
List your furniture on online platforms. Utilize Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to showcase your pieces locally. Share your listings on personal social media accounts to expand visibility. Promptly respond to inquiries and arrange convenient pickup times for interested buyers.
- Posting across multiple platforms enhances visibility, but remember to remove listings promptly after items sell to avoid unnecessary inquiries.
- If online sales prove challenging, consider renting booth space at thrift stores or antique malls to reach a broader audience.
- To establish a more formal furniture flipping venture, consider creating a dedicated website or Facebook page to showcase your inventory.
- Utilize personal networks and social media channels for effective marketing. Quality content and merchandise are key.
- Solicit referrals to boost credibility and consider improving website SEO for increased visibility.
Helpful Suggestions
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Focus on smaller pieces for initial projects to minimize costs and gauge your interest in furniture flipping.
Essential Tools
- Basic tools: hammer, screwdriver, and pliers
- All-purpose cleaner or degreaser
- Sanding sponges or an electric sander
- Paintbrushes
- Primer
- Paint or stain
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
- Polyurethane or shellac sealant
