Upcycling furniture is a great way to save money, reduce your environmental impact, and create unique pieces for your home. The UK has a wealth of resources for upcyclers, from charity shops and boot sales to online marketplaces and local community groups.

1. Charity Shops

Charity shops are a great place to find affordable furniture. Many charities have dedicated furniture stores, and you can often find some real bargains. The proceeds from your purchase will go to a good cause, so you can feel good about your shopping spree!

In case you’re local, some of my favourite charity shops that have a great selection of furniture are:

A wooden dresser with a rustic finish stands against a white brick wall. The dresser has three drawers, each with two metal handles. To the right are pampas grass in a glass vase, and to the left is a green potted plant in a woven basket. The floor is wooden.

I found these drawers at an auction and I just couldn’t resist the gorgeous walnut woodgrain! I added some gold leaf and these drawers were ready to make their debut!

A wooden chest of drawers stands against a white brick wall. The chest features three drawers with brass knobs and gold trim. Above it hangs an abstract pastel painting. Potted plants are placed on the floor to the left, and dried pampas grass in a vase to the right.

2. Boot Sales

Boot sales are a traditional British way to sell unwanted items. You can find everything at a boot sale, from clothes and toys to furniture and antiques. Boot sales are often held on weekends, so check your local newspaper and local Facebook groups for listings.

There’s a Facebook group for finding out when local boot sales or fairs are taking place in Sussex – find it here.

3. Online Marketplaces

There are a number of online marketplaces where you can find furniture to upcycle. Some of the most popular include eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace. You can search for specific pieces of furniture, or you can browse through the general listings.

Set up search alerts for eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, and that way as soon as something is listed that you have an alert for, you can snap it it up before anyone else does!

A mid-century teak coffee table in a retro Scandinavian style is displayed against a red background. The table has a smooth rectangular top and curved legs. The listing indicates a final bid price of £62.00, with location in Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1HG GB.
A mid-century modern wooden coffee table with a sleek design is set against a white brick wall. The table features a rectangular top and uniquely curved, open-frame legs. The floor beneath consists of a light-colored, distressed wooden plank surface.

This was a table I bought on eBay, then restored and refinished so it looked as good as new, and then sold for a profit.

4. Local Community Groups

Many local communities have groups dedicated to upcycling. These groups can be a great source of information and inspiration. They may also be able to help you find furniture to upcycle.

5. Freecycle

Freecycle is a non-profit organization that allows people to give away and receive free items. You can find furniture on Freecycle, but you’ll need to be quick, as items are often claimed quickly.

Two nested red side tables, made of wood, are placed on a paved outdoor area. The smaller table fits under the larger one. The background features a green garden with plants and chairs.
Two-tier metal nest tables with surfaces featuring extensive areas of chipped paint revealing a worn, rusty underneath. The tables have a light olive-green color with patches revealing a distressed, vintage look. The shadow of the tables is visible on a wooden plank floor.

I found these tables on Facebook Marketplace and with a little imagination, turned them into these green and gold beauties!

6. Auction Houses

Local auctions are a great place to find unique pieces of furniture. Since COVID-19, a lot of auction houses now broadcast their auctions online via websites such as The Saleroom, Easy Live Auction and Live Auctioneers, where you can also place bids via their online platforms. Nothing quite beats an in-person auction though, I would definitely recommend it!

7. Facebook Groups

There are a number of Facebook groups dedicated to upcycling. These groups are a great place to find inspiration, advice, and furniture to upcycle.

A vintage wooden three-drawer dresser with small round metal knobs stands on tapered legs. The dresser is placed indoors against a rustic stone wall with a window to the left.

I found this little chest of drawers for FREE by the side of the road and created a faux bone inlay look using pearlescent paint.

A small, sage green dresser with intricate white floral patterns on the top, sides, and front. It features three drawers, each with two round white knobs. The dresser stands on four tapered legs and is set against a white brick wall with a light wood floor.

Tips for Finding Furniture to Upcycle

  • Be patient. It may take some time to find the perfect pieces of furniture to upcycle.
  • Be creative. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. You can upcycle all sorts of furniture, from old chairs and tables to dressers and bookshelves.
  • Have fun! Upcycling is a great way to express your creativity and save money.

I hope this blog post has helped you find some great places to find furniture to upcycle. With a little creativity and patience, you can create some amazing pieces for your home.

If you enjoyed this post why not share it with your friends and family? As a small business trying to grow, it would mean so much to me. Don’t forget you can also subscribe to my newsletter to receive information about furniture sales, upcycling tips & tricks, exclusive offers, and more!

See you on the next flip!

Brenda xx

Newer
Breathe New Life into Your Tired Furniture with a Hardware Makeover!
Back to list
Older The Art of Furniture Packing: A Comprehensive Guide for Courier Shipping

Leave a Reply