Turn Discarded Treasures into a Profitable Hobby: Master the Art of Furniture Flip Side Hustle

SIDE HUSTLES
Revamp and Resell: An Easy and Playful Extra Income Gig

Written by
Marc Andre
Updated
December 22, 2022
Earning extra cash isn’t always about online hustles like blogging or affiliate marketing. There’s a fun and immediate money-making activity you can do: flipping furniture!

Refurbishing used items for profit is a great option. Among the various things you can flip, furniture comes out on top. As a furniture flipper, you give a new life to old or discarded furniture, boosting its value.

What Exactly is Furniture Flipping?
Furniture flipping is the process of buying cheap, second-hand furniture, restoring it, then selling it for profit. Success relies on two things: buying the furniture as cheap as possible and selling it for a hefty amount.

Finding affordable furniture to restore is easier than you think. Yard sales and flea markets often have a range of items like tables, chairs, dressers, desks, and more for incredibly low prices. On top of that, someone might give away a piece for free just to get rid of it.

Restoring often entails applying new paint to solid wood furniture or reupholstering pieces to give them a fresh look, substantially enhancing their value.

Why Furniture Flipping is Worth a Shot
1. Start Making Money Straight Away
Compared to other side jobs that require patience before they start paying off, with furniture flipping, you can begin earning money almost immediately. Find your first piece, spruce it up, sell it within days, or even less!

Plus, it’s not time-consuming. Online platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist allow a quick sale of your first item.

2. Flexibility to Work on Your Own Terms
Furniture flipping adjusts effortlessly to your schedule. Whether you have a full-time job or other commitments, you can do this in your spare time. From setting your pace to deciding the amount of time you put in, everything is within your control.

3. Low Initial Investment
All you need to start are some paint, a brush, and a piece of furniture. You don’t need a massive initial investment.

4. Ample Opportunities
Finding used furniture is not difficult. Garage sales, thrift shops, and online platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are treasure troves for pieces you can revamp and resell. There’s a huge market for vintage furniture.

5. Potential to Grow Into Something Bigger
If you enjoy success with your furniture flipping project, you might even consider expanding it further. Invest more time, refine your techniques, gain exposure, and grow beyond just a cash-earning hobby. You can also start taking custom orders for a bigger venture.

6. Rewarding and Fulfilling
There’s a unique joy in restoring an old piece of furniture, giving it a whole new life. As a flipper, you add value to an object and to a person’s home.

7. Learnable Skills
Don’t worry if you don’t have experience; the skills involved in furniture flipping are easy to learn, with plenty of resources to guide you.

8. It’s Enjoyable!
Among the many reasons to give furniture flipping a go, the fun factor is significant. It allows you to work with your hands and transform something once discarded into a valuable artifact.

What Furniture Should You Flip?
Stick to solid wood furniture as it retains value after restoration. Real wood looks great when painted or stained compared to particleboard. Upholstered furniture, like chairs, is also worth investing in if you can reupholster it yourself.

Best Places for Shopping
Yard sales, flea markets, estate sales, and auctions are great sources for cheap, preloved furniture. But always negotiate and keep your costs as low as possible. Trash collection days can be handy if people have discarded any worthwhile furniture for collection.

Tips for Successful Flipping
1. Be on the Hunt for Items: Always look for potential pieces to flip, keep your friends and family informed, and they might bring you the next piece.
2. Negotiate When Buying: Be sure to navigate and get the best price for the furniture. Every dollar saved is a dollar earned.
3. Share Amazing Photos: Wherever you’re listing your items for sale, ensure they are displayed in high quality, captivating photos.
4. Descriptions Matter: Don’t undermine your piece; describe why it’s wonderful to entice potential buyers.
5. Build an Audience: Having people follow your work increases chances of fast sales and possibly higher prices.
6. Stellar Customer Service: Offer exceptional service for word-of-mouth advertising, repeat customers, and positive testimonials.
7. Consider Custom Orders: Working on specific customer requirements can be an additional lucrative venture.
8. Delivery Service: If you’re selling locally, consider offering a delivery option for a fee, increasing chances for higher sales.

Is Flipping Furniture Profitable? Sure is! Your profits depend on many factors, but earning a few hundred dollars monthly is quite feasible. Stick to this guide and happy flipping!