Let me tell you a quick story: Hammer and Handsaw was born out of our love for DIY. When we got married and moved in together, instead of buying new furniture for our home, we would go to yard sales and thrift stores looking for used furniture to refinish.
Over the years, we’ve become quite good at it and wanted to share some tips for creating beautiful pieces and making money flipping furniture. Here is a recent dresser flip that you should see on our blog and on TikTok:
Not only is furniture flipping a fun and creative way to breathe new life into old pieces, but it can also be a lucrative venture if done right. In this post, we’ll explore some essential tips for beginners interested in flipping furniture. By the way, we’ll only focus on solid wood furniture specifically as it is the easiest method for someone just starting out.
Another quick note, although many people selling their furniture for extra income, the amount of money you earn is dependent on your ability to find inexpensive furniture, the amount of materials you purchase and how much those pieces will ultimately sell for. For example, if you are able to find a dresser for $150 and resell it for $400, you would earn $250 ($400-$150 = $250), which is a nice profit (minus your material cost) if you already have some tools/materials handy.
Related Post: How to Start Flipping Furniture 101
Tip #1: Start with Small Projects
If you’re new to furniture flipping, it’s best to start with small, manageable projects. Look for pieces that have good bones (i.e. made of solid wood) but could use some extra help (a few dents and chips missing). This could be anything from a side table to a simple dresser. We’ve listed out the key places to find FREE and/or cheap furniture and what exactly to look for in our eBook, the work is done for you!
Tip #2: Invest in Quality Materials
Another pro tip for successful furniture flipping is investing in a really good, quality paint (if you are not staining your wood). We would recommend a paint with a durable enamel specifically designed for furniture. Yes it may cost a bit more upfront but using quality materials pays off (literally) in the long run by producing furniture that buyers are willing to pay top dollar for.
Refresh Living tested several paints and recommended the best paints for furniture in this blog post, check it out!
Tip #3: Get Prepped
Before applying a drop of paint or stain, make sure to thoroughly clean and sand the piece to create a smooth surface. Additionally, don’t forget to prime the furniture to ensure that the paint adheres properly and provides a long-lasting finish. We can’t stress enough how important sanding and priming is for a quality furniture piece. If you skip this step, the paint is very likely to chip or peel off over time, even with paint products that have primer included.
In case you don’t have a toolkit ready, here are just some of the tools and materials you may need to begin furniture flipping:
Tools:
- Orbital sander or sanding block
- Screwdrivers
- Hammer
- Utility knife
- Paint brushes
- Paint roller and tray
- Drill and drill bits
- Clamps
- Tape measure
- Level
- Tack cloth
- Paint scraper
- Putty knife
- Safety equipment (gloves, mask, goggles)
- Painter’s pyramids
Materials:
- Wood filler or putty
- Sandpaper
- Primer suitable for furniture
- Quality paint
- Clear coat or sealant
- Decorative hardware
- Wood glue
- Wood stain
- Furniture wax or polish
- Masking tape or painter’s tape
- Drop cloths or plastic sheeting
- Bonding agent
- Decorative accents
Tip #4: Write Compelling Descriptions
Once your furniture piece is polished, cured and ready to be sold, you need to write listing descriptions that will entice potential buyers. You’ll do this by describing the piece in detail and highlighting any unique features (examples could be any intricate detailing, solid construction or cool design choices). Don’t forget to include dimensions, materials used, and any special care instructions. Lastly, if you are able to deliver, this is an attractive addition for buyers since most sellers request pick-up.
Tip #5: Staging is Key
A lot of sellers take a picture of their piece in their garage with bad lighting and angles. Set yourself apart by taking high-quality photos of your creation in well-lit settings to showcase your hard work and craftsmanship. Some platforms (Facebook Marketplace for example) may even allow you to upload videos, which will give the buyer even better views of your furniture to help with their decision to buy.
Start Flipping Today!
At this point, you may have found a lot of information on how to start flipping furniture but might wish all of the information was in one place. If you’re tired of scouring the internet for reliable information on furniture flipping, you’re in luck! The Ultimate Money-Making Furniture Flipping Guide for Beginners provides ALL of the information you need in one convenient resource.
This comprehensive guide is carefully crafted to address concerns for anyone interested in wanting to make money flipping furniture. Whether you are totally new to it or have dabbled in DIY projects before, this guide will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to start your furniture flipping journey.
Don’t let fear and uncertainty hold you back from earning extra income and exploring a new creative outlet! Take the first step towards a fun and lucrative future with The Ultimate Money-Making Furniture Flipping Guide for Beginners – your key to unlocking profitable DIY success!
