There are many reasons why people buy second-hand furniture. You can buy individual items without the high prices. Reusing preowned items helps save resources and reduce waste, protecting the environment. You also buy a piece of history. A piece of old furniture has character and a tale to tell.
My mum held onto an old dining table because each scratch or dent meant something. With vision and upcycling, the table is brought up to date but maintains that preloved story. To inject personality and individuality into your home through a piece of used furniture, here is a list of nine of the best second-hand furniture shops in London.
The Best Second-Hand Furniture Shops in London Near You
Emmaus SLC – From Rag Pickers to International
Emmaus SLC originated in France in 1971, when Abbé Pierre, an MP, a Catholic priest and a former member of the French Resistance, began helping Parisian homeless people find homes. The small Emmaus community became rag-pickers collecting people’s unwanted items to raise money.
Their mission is to provide more than a bed for the night. They ensure community members have a stable home environment and can work in the Emmaus enterprise for as long as they want. Through support, Emmaus helps give people a purpose in life.
The community has expanded to 70 international Emmaus groups, with the UK having the second-largest community after France. Twenty-two Emmaus shops sell second-hand furniture in London, such as West Norwood, Purley, and Carshalton.
The shop has lots of choices of furniture and second-hand goods. Customers have bought TV units, dining chairs, and coffee tables, and there are loads of ornaments, glassware, picture frames, and books to decorate your home or office.
Emmaus are a great place to shop for second-hand furniture at bargain prices, and the staff is always pleasant and friendly.
Address: 4 Beadman St, Norwood, London SE27 0DN
Telephone: 0300 123 2001
Second Time Around – London’s Largest Seller of Second-Hand Furniture
For over 40 years, Second Time Around has provided London with good quality second-hand furniture at affordable prices. They claim to be London’s largest seller of used furniture and appliances. The majority of their stock comes from house clearances and estate sales.
They have shops in London and a recently opened outlet in Kent. Their Lewisham shop was the first and sells a vast array of furniture, such as sofas, dining tables, chairs, wardrobes, and bedside tables. They also stock appliances such as microwaves, washing machines, and gas cookers. They stock so many goods, you can easily kit out a new home.
The shop has a ‘no-landfill’ policy and will reuse and recycle as much as possible and offer a home and office clearing service.
They provide free delivery within two miles of the store. The team is incredibly friendly and arranges speedy deliveries.
Address: 110 Lewisham Way, London SE14 6NY
Telephone: 020 8469 0848
Petit Miracles – A New Lease of Life
Petit Miracles is a charitable social enterprise that cares deeply about people, the planet, and the community. In 2009, they established training programmes to teach skills to people with disabilities and disadvantaged adults. The knowledge they gain helps them grow in confidence, encourages creativity, and reduces loneliness.
The shop welcomes up-and-coming entrepreneurs, providing retail space and mentoring.
The furniture charity shop in London is well laid out and inviting to browse for unique one-off items.
Currently for sale is a pine corner unit that is being sold, as seen, for £35.00. It is suitable for a DIY up-cycling project.
Also for sale is a solid wood, low cabinet, freshly cleaned and painted in the Petit Miracles workshop, available for £65.00.
If you’re looking for second-hand furniture shops near me, Petit Miracles is a great local business to support, which sells lovingly restored furniture or sold-as-is items.
Address: First Floor, West 12 Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush Green, London W12 8PP
Telephone: 07483 303082
Eighty-Seven – Second-hand Furniture in Finsbury Park
Eighty-Seven is a rare gem.
The shop stocks an eclectic mix of furniture in all shapes and sizes and beautiful light fittings. As is typical with many second-hand shops, the stock constantly changes, so if you are looking for specific items, visit regularly.
In addition to the for-sale items, the owner selects certain pieces to upcycle. People describe the work he does as a work of art.
Eighty-Seven is a perfect combination of a helpful and talented owner selling quality used furniture at a very reasonable price in Finsbury Park, London.
Address: 87 Blackstock Rd, Finsbury Park, London, N4 2JW
Telephone: 020 7288 7424
Barnet Furniture Centre – A Furniture Charity Shop in London
As a non-profit registered charity, Barnet Furniture Centre relies on donations and volunteer workers.
The benefits of the Furniture Centre are considerable. When they receive furniture, skilled volunteers renovate many items and help pass on their skills to the long-term unemployed. This valuable training helps to rebuild confidence and thus take the first steps to employment.
The centre is proud to say that many people successfully obtain paid placements after completing their course.
Barnet Furniture Centre sells the restored furniture on a two-tier pricing system, with a lower price helping those on income support.
In addition to the great charitable work that Barnet Furniture Centre do, they sell excellent cheap second-hand furniture in London. Occasionally they receive a donation of a valuable item of furniture and place them in the online Boutique Shop. Keep an eye on the shop for such items.
Address: 4 Queens Parade Close, Friern Barnet, London, N11 3FY
Telephone: 020 8361 6802
Morbleu Furniture – Sourced Worldwide
Since 1996, Morbleu, also known as Bleu Furniture, has been sourcing stock worldwide. Their range includes modern, 20th-century, decorative art, vintage industrial, and vintage African art and masks.
Visiting the furniture shop in South London is a pleasure. There are some fascinating and beautiful items. The owner is helpful and provides excellent service.
On Bleu’s website is a Vintage Ivory Coast Senufo stool for £450.00 and a Pair of Danish folding side tables for £110.00.
Bleu Furniture sells an exciting variety of used furniture in London.
Address: 135 Dulwich Rd, London SE24 0NG
Telephone: 07958 673703
Vintique London – Mid-Century Furniture
Vintique London is a second-hand furniture warehouse in Peckham, selling vintage, mid-century, and retro styles. They specialise in furniture sourced worldwide.
It is a well-stocked shop with a wide selection of beautiful antique furniture, some carefully restored. It is possible to find cocktail cabinets, sideboards, bookcases, tables, and chairs.
The shop’s team is friendly and helpful and can arrange delivery.
People highly rate the quality of Vintique’s furniture and recommend purchasing from the furniture shop.
Address: Unit 13 Station Passage, Queen’s Rd, London SE15 2JR
Telephone: 07787 730976
Retro Hub N16 – Furniture Hub
Retro Hub N16 is a hub of second-hand furniture in the postcode district of N16, Stoke Newington.
The warehouse and yard at Retro Hub stock an extensive collection of vintage and reclaimed furniture, garden items and architectural salvage. A further area is a specialist curiosities section with unusual items from around the world.
Retro Hub offers services such as house clearance with a motto that nothing is too complicated. An example they give is the removal of a piano from a third-floor flat. They describe their Man and Van service as having London’s most competitive rates.
The Retro Hub yard and warehouse have attracted many tv and film crews to use as a filming location.
Retro Hub is a gem. They are always helpful and provide service with a smile.
Address: 2 Marton Road (Off Church Street), Stoke Newington, London, N16 0RA
Telephone: 07496 686308
New Vintage – Sustainable Preloved Pieces in Battersea
Founder Julie Rumble always knew her destiny was to open a vintage store, and in 2004 she followed her dream.
New Vintage specialise in new, antique, vintage, retro and refurbished furniture. Together with her team, they customise preloved items and transform them into one-off pieces as sustainably as possible, keeping as much out of landfill as feasible.
Julie creates some beautiful pieces, and her reputation attracts many professional clients looking for exclusive furniture.
New Vintage in Battersea is a must if you want something special.
Address: 256, Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 3BP
Telephone: 0203 490 6097
Tips for Shopping at Second-Hand Furniture Shops
- Know what you want. Visiting second-hand furniture shops and flea markets can be overwhelming. If you have an idea of function, style and size, it can be a great help.
- Look far and wide. You don’t have to travel hundreds of miles, but chances of finding the ideal item from your local charity shop are slim. However, some have online shops that sell furniture. Also, check flea markets and car-boot sales.
- Check for damage. Second-hand furniture is likely to have some damage. However, you want to avoid excessive wear and tear, and if you plan on up-cycling, be realistic about your time availability and restoration skills.
