Can You Make Money Refinishing Furniture
You may be refinishing furniture as a hobby or to update your old pieces, but can you make money refinishing furniture? If you’re looking to make extra income, flipping furniture for profit is actually doable and fun!
If done right, you can sell refinished furniture for decent prices and turn your passion into a profitable side hustle. But how do you get started and what are the key things to keep in mind? Let’s look at some tips and tricks for making money with furniture refinishing!
Refinished furniture usually means those pieces that are given a new life with stain and other techniques that revive or enhance the natural beauty of wood. While it may seem like a simple task, furniture refinishing requires time, patience, and skill to get high quality results.
If you have been refinishing for a while, you probably have some pieces that you are particularly proud of. And maybe you would like to start making a profit out of it. The good news is that there’s a market for unique and beautifully refinished furniture!
But it’s important to understand that this is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes hard work and dedication, and you’ll need to know how to price your pieces and market them, aside from doing the refinishing work itself.
Why People Buy Refinished Furniture
You may be thinking, “Why would someone buy refinished furniture when they can buy brand new pieces?” Well, there are actually several reasons why people choose to get refinished furniture instead.
First of all, refinished furniture is often unique and one of a kind. This makes it more appealing to those looking for something special and personalized for their home. A beautiful refinished piece definitely stands out more among mass produced items.
Buying refinished furniture can also be a way to save money. High quality furniture can be expensive, but with refinished options, customers can get the same look for a lower price. This makes it attractive for budget conscious shoppers or those looking for unique yet affordable options for their home decor.
Some people are also environmentally conscious and like to just use repurposed old pieces instead of getting new ones. And some people simply appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of antique or vintage furniture, which can often be found in refinished pieces.
You can see there’s definitely a market and people are willing to pay for refinished furniture! What matters now is how you can get your pieces out there, find the right customers, and make a profit.
Making Money with Furniture Refinishing
So you’ve really decided to get into the flipping furniture business, here’s what you’ll have to do. You don’t have to start big – in fact, you should start small and build your way up.
Start with the furniture you’ve got or can snag on the cheap. Check out thrift stores and garage sales, or even ask family and friends if they’ve got any old pieces lying around they don’t need. This will keep your initial investment low while building your portfolio.
How to Price Refinished Furniture
When setting the price, consider your time and effort put into refinishing. Take into account the cost of materials, tools, and any other expenses. Browse online or visit local furniture stores to get an idea of what similar pieces are selling for.
Remember that you’re not just selling a piece of furniture but also the unique design and craftsmanship that comes with it being refinished. Don’t sell yourself short, but keep your pricing competitive.
You can also consider offering custom refinishing services, where the customer can choose a piece of furniture and have it refinished to their liking. This allows you to charge higher prices for your work.
Check out our guide on how to price flipped furniture here for more ideas and tips on pricing your pieces.
Where to Sell Refinished Furniture
So you have some beautifully refinished pieces ready to sell, but where do you actually sell them? You have a few options, both online and offline. So that’s double the opportunities to get your pieces in front of potential buyers!
One great option is to set up shop online on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Etsy. These sites have a wide reach and can attract local buyers as well as those from other areas who are looking for unique pieces of furniture. For more details on making money on Etsy here’s can you make money selling furniture on Etsy?
Especially with Facebook, you can start with your own Facebook friends and family, post some photos of your work, and see if anyone is interested. As you build up a following and get more confident selling online, you can even post in different Facebook groups that are specifically for furniture buyers, home decor enthusiasts, or DIY lovers.
Another way to sell refinished furniture is by using local channels. This includes flea markets and garage sales, which are great for attracting buyers who prefer to see and touch the furniture before buying.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth! Tell your friends, family, and acquaintances about your furniture flipping business – you never know who might be on the hunt for refinished furniture or who might know someone who is. Connecting with people in your community can open up more business opportunities down the road!
Our post on the best place to sell furniture online can give you more details on where to sell your pieces and how to make the most out of each platform.
How to Package and Ship Refinished Furniture
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I also may earn from other qualifying purchases with other companies or get free product to review and use. All opinions are my own.
You’ll also have to consider the logistics of packaging and shipping your furniture if you’re selling online. This can be a bit daunting, but it’s an important step to make sure your refinished pieces arrive safely to their new owners.
Factor in the size and weight of your furniture. You’ll also need packaging materials that can protect your pieces during transit. Foam sheets and moving blankets are great for cushioning fragile items, while plastic wrap and tape are important for securing everything in place.
Here’s our guide on how to package furniture for shipping to help you out. We cover everything from choosing the right boxes to properly wrapping and securing your furniture, from small to large pieces.
And when it comes to shipping refinished furniture, you have to consider the cost and choose the right shipping carrier. Shippers will give you a quote based on the size and weight of your package, as well as the distance it needs to travel.
Keep these factors in mind when determining your shipping fee so you can still make a profit from your sale. But here’s how to offer free shipping and still make money – a win-win for both you and your customers!
Check out our guide on how to ship furniture here so you can confidently send your refinished pieces to their new homes. As you get the hang of packaging and shipping, it’ll become second nature and help you grow your customer base!
We hope this guide has been helpful in getting you started on your journey of flipping and refinishing furniture. Remember to start small, price your pieces fairly, and explore both offline and online avenues for selling your refinished pieces. And don’t forget the importance of packaging and shipping when making sales online.
More Flipping Furniture tips
Follow us on YouTube to get more tips for painting furniture. Or share your project with us on our Facebook Group and be part of our community. See you there!