Second hand furniture has taken the world by storm in recent years. Many people are looking for furniture that has some soul and history.
They can then bring these pieces into their homes and restore them, adding their own personal touch to the furniture. Recycling and reusing furniture is better for the planet, and gives you the opportunity to own a unique piece.
If you are curious about where you can get amazing second hand furniture in London, you aren’t alone. In this article, we’ll find out about the top places. We’ll also cover some tips about what to look for when you are buying recycled furniture in London.
11 Best Second Hand Furniture Shops In London
There are many great places to purchase second hand furniture in London. There may be opportunities to support a good cause at the same time, or you might just want to pick up an item you love.
Some of the places we will look at are charities, while others are for-profit stores. All offer a range of unique and beautiful items!
1. Vintique
No matter what kind of furniture you’re looking for, you should be able to find something at Vintique. This highly stylish store offers a wide range of options.
It houses mid-century, vintage, and retro furniture. The pieces are iconic and beautiful.
They are the perfect way to make your home pop and ensure that every piece feels unusual. There is also an enormous range that will help to ensure you find exactly what you want.
You can shop for:
- Bureaus
- Chests of drawers
- Sideboards
- Highboards
- Bookcases
- Drinks cabinets
- Desks
- Sofas
- Armchairs
- Record cabinets
- Bedside tables
- Dressing tables
And a whole lot more! There is an excellent selection, and all of the furniture is of high quality.
If you don’t want to spend hours working on a piece but you do want something unique, Vintique is the way to go. You can step back in time with their extraordinary furniture.
This is a sure way to make your home stand out and create historical style.
2. St Christopher’s
With multiple London locations, including one in Orpington, one in East Dulwich, and one in Lewisham, St Christopher’s is ideal if you live in the south of London. It offers a range of items, including pre-loved furniture.
The charity supports palliative care for individuals who are nearing the end of their lives.
It provides support to people across 5 London boroughs, and the shops are packed with all sorts of items, including a lot of furniture.
Here, you will find pieces that have been donated from a desire to do good. This is a lovely way to furnish your home with positivity and generosity
3. Deens Furniture
Alternatively, consider checking out Deens Furniture. It is located in Brixton, and sells a wide range of second hand pieces.
The selection is superb, and the customer service is also excellent. You are bound to find something to fall in love with in this eclectic shop.
Anyone who loves hunting for treasures and sifting through furniture with a story will fall in love with this place. It has a great deal to offer and you’ll find sofas, tables, chairs, and more!
4. Second Time Around
Advertised as the largest seller of second hand furniture in London, this is the place to come if you need something specific; it has an enormous range of items to choose from.
It offers all kinds of furniture, including old office furnishings, at reasonably low prices. The stock comes from house clearances and estate sales, meaning you will see a fantastic range of pieces.
You truly will find almost anything in this place. They sell:
- Ovens
- Washing machines
- Dining tables
- Bookcases
- Chairs
- Chests of drawers
- Cupboards
- Sofas
- Garden furniture
- Office furniture
- TVs
- Desks
- Recliners
- Bedframes
- Side tables
- Card tables
- Nesting tables
- Wardrobes
- Mattresses
- Armchairs
- Storage boxes
- Display cabinets
- Magazine racks
- Freestanding mirrors
- Chaise lounges
- Artwork
- Footstools
There’s so much choice, you’re bound to find something you will love here. It’s also a great place to check if you have something specific in mind.
One of the best things about Second Time Around is the variety of the pieces available, and you’ll see items from many different periods and different parts of the world being sold here.
There are some extraordinarily beautiful items, as well as some highly functional ones. Some will blend with an everyday home, and others will stand out and complete an aesthetic.
No matter what you’re looking for, Second Time Around is a great place to start your search.
All of the items are high quality, even though they have been used before. Second Time Around doesn’t sell any shabby pieces that will fall apart after a few months of use.
You can browse all the current offerings online and even order through their website. That makes this shop accessible to everybody.
It will also save you from having to travel to the shop to hunt for the piece you want. Find it and order it from the comfort of your home!
On the other hand, if you love hunting for treasures, going into the shop itself is a pleasure like no other.
5. Emmaus
If you would like to support a charity while searching for second hand pieces, Emmaus is an excellent option. This non-profit partners with individuals who have been homeless, housing them and finding them work.
It provides a community and work within that community. The generated funds help to support the individuals, and give them some spending money.
This creates a sense of value and independence which many who have experienced homelessness desperately need.
Not everybody wants to think about these things when they are shopping for furniture, but if you do, try Emmaus.
6. Mr AllSorts
Located in Islington, Mr AllSorts sells a huge range of items, including second hand furniture. As the name suggests, you never know what you might find here.
It’s a smaller shop than some on the list, so you may find that it is more limited. However, there are lots of interesting items to look at and choose from.
Chairs, tables, desks, and other kinds of furniture are abundant. The company does offer delivery, too, which makes it a great option.
7. Barnet Furniture Centre
Another registered charity, Barnet Furniture Centre retails lots of second hand furniture at good prices. A few boutique items are listed online, but most items are only available in the store.
Located near North Finchley, the Barnet Furniture Centre is easy to access. It has a good selection of items, so it’s well worth checking out.
The charity supports low income families by providing furniture at low prices for those on benefits. A lot of furniture is saved from landfill.
The staff is excellent and the prices are superb, even if you are not on low income. If you need cheap second hand furniture, you should certainly check this place out.
You will find a wide range, including:
- Sofas
- Beds
- Tables
- Chairs
- Nesting tables
- Coffee tables
- Sideboards
- Desks
- Bookcases
The furniture is high-quality, even though it is cheap. However, you probably won’t see many expensive or vintage pieces here.
If you’re shopping for a certain style or period, it’s best to check out the other furniture shop options. However, for functional and attractive cheap furniture in London, this is certainly worth your time.
8. De Sio Furniture
De Sio Furniture is a great option for those living in West London. It sells a wide variety of furnishings, many of which are vintage and high quality.
It is certainly the place to go if you’re looking for unique items. There are lots of dark wood pieces, and you’ll find desks, drinks cabinets, chairs, bureaus, coffee tables, and more.
Some are even antiques, so this is an ideal shop for anyone who would like to find something truly historic to fit into their home.
The company even offers free local delivery, so you can easily get items to your property. That means you don’t have to think about hiring a van or attempting to fit something big and heavy into your car.
9. Park Royal Office Furniture
If you’re looking for office furniture, Park Royal Office Furniture has both used and new pieces that might be perfect for you. This is a great way to get cheap items for a home office, so if you’ve found yourself unexpectedly working from home, it’s worth checking it out.
The company only sells office furniture, but it’s an excellent option if that’s what you’re looking for.
10. Retro Living
Anyone who wants their home to feel like stepping into the past needs to check out Retro Living.
This shop is home to some extraordinary pieces that are perfect for a vintage or antique aesthetic. They sell chairs, tables, chests of drawers, cabinets, sofas, and more.
All of the pieces are second-hand and there is a lot of choice. You’ll see many different styles and periods in the furniture.
However, it’s important to note that this is not a cheap store. Most of the pieces cost at least several hundred pounds, and many are several thousand.
Make sure you’ve considered your budget before you head to Retro Living for preloved furniture.
11. Committee Of Taste
If you’re looking for furniture in Hackney, Committee of Taste is the first place you should go. It sells stunning utility and mid century pieces.
This is a place for creatives and artists to enjoy the beauty of furniture, and find something unique that speaks to them. For those looking to bring their homes to life with unusual and historic pieces, this is the perfect shop.
Items are constantly changing, but include things like:
- Chairs
- Tables
- Chests of drawers
- Desks
- Stools
- Loungers
- Blanket chests
- Bedside tables
Whatever you are looking for, you should be able to find a unique and beautiful version in this extraordinary shop.
Also Read:
What Should You Look For When Buying Used Furniture In London?
A lot of people love buying second hand furniture, but if you don’t know what to look for, you’re likely to run into problems. Some second hand furniture is overpriced, damaged, or not functional.
Understanding how to shop for second hand furniture will ensure you get a great deal every time.
Firstly, always look for damage on a piece. A lot of preloved furniture is still in great condition, but some will have dents and chips.
It’s fine to buy a piece that is a bit rough, as long as you know about it in advance. Some people love restoring furniture, but be aware that this is time-consuming and challenging.
Be particularly cautious about any furniture that has broken drawers or hinges, because this can be hard to fix. Structural damage is also something to avoid.
Assess the time and skills needed to transform a piece of furniture to make it look the way you want. Never buy something that you don’t realistically think you will have the time to deal with.
You should also look at different shops to confirm whether you are getting a good price. If you can’t find anything similar locally, look at online markets.
This will give you a guideline for what a certain type of furniture usually sells for. It can help you to determine whether you are being asked a fair price.
It’s also worth thinking about what the furniture is made of. If you are going to buy hardwood, it will cost more, but it will usually last better too.
However, veneer and laminate furniture can look very good too, and tends to be cheaper. If the finish is in good condition, these pieces are certainly worth considering.
Metal furniture is also a good option, as it tends to be easy to strip and repaint. It is also often hardwearing, and should last well even if it has seen a lot of use.
Conclusion
Hunting for second hand furniture in London is like diving for buried treasure. There are some extraordinary gems out there, but you need to know where to look.
If you are searching for something new for your home, check out the stores above. There are lots of options.
You will find something that will suit any budget and any requirement. Whether you are looking for office furniture or unique, antique pieces for your home, there’s something out there for you.