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What to check before you buy secondhand furniture

What to ask before you go, what to test when you get there, and the signs that mean you should walk away.

6 November 2026 · 3 min read

A living room with a pink sofa, a burgundy armchair on a wooden frame, a round wooden coffee table and a striped rug
Concept visual, made with AI. Not a real room or real stock.

Good secondhand furniture can last for years more. The trick is telling a piece that only looks tired from one that is actually failing. Most of that takes a few minutes and a phone torch.

Before you go

Ask the seller for these. A good seller won’t mind.

  • Photos of any damage, not only the best angle
  • Width, depth and height
  • Whether it comes apart, and whether all the bolts and fittings are included
  • Whether it has been near smoke or pets
  • How it has to leave: which floor, which lift, and who carries it

Wood and frames

  • Push it. Lean on a table or a wardrobe from the side. It shouldn’t rock or twist.
  • Look at the joints. Check where legs meet the frame. Loose screws are easy to fix. A crack through a joint usually isn’t.
  • Open everything. Drawers should run straight, and doors should close without lifting.
  • Look underneath and behind. Use your torch. Water marks, swollen boards and fresh glue all tell you something.

Scratches, rings and faded patches are often only on the surface. A crack in something that holds weight is a different problem.

Sofas and chairs

  • Sit down for a few minutes. Try every seat, not only the middle. You’re feeling for sagging and for a frame you can feel through the padding.
  • Rock it gently. Hold the arm and push. A sound frame stays quiet and still.
  • Smell it. Smoke, pets and damp stay in fabric and are hard to get out.
  • Check the seams. Lift the cushions and shine your torch along the seams and under the frame. Tiny dark spots can be a sign of bed bugs.
  • Look for zips. Covers that come off are much easier to clean.

Beds

Check the frame the same way as any wood: joints, bolts and slats. A frame is a good thing to buy secondhand. A used mattress is a much more personal choice, and you can’t see inside it, so many people buy that part new.

When to walk away

  • A crack in the frame or in anything that holds weight
  • A strong smell that doesn’t fade with the windows open
  • Any sign of pests
  • A seller who won’t let you see it in person or won’t give you its size

One last check

Before you pay for anything, check its size against your room and the way in. If you haven’t measured yet, start with how to measure a room.

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