- Interior designers and real estate experts are turning to Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, and estate sales to find one-of-a-kind pieces that add personality and warmth to a home.
- Vintage and secondhand furniture often offers higher-quality craftsmanship, real wood construction, and unique character that’s difficult to find in modern, mass-produced decor.
- Experts recommend shopping consistently, exploring multiple resale platforms and neighborhoods, and focusing on timeless materials and pieces rather than more quirky decor.
As design trends move away from sleek, muted interiors, secondhand shopping options like Facebook Marketplace and estate sales or thrift stores are becoming go-to resources for designers and real estate professionals alike. While scoring a deal is always a bonus, experts say the real value of pre-owned furniture is its ability to create homes that feel layered, personal, and full of character.
“I’m a big fan of using Facebook Marketplace, and there are some super trendy secondhand stores in lots of areas, too,” says Kellie Martinez, a Redfin Premier agent based in Southern California. “Not just to save money—in fact, sometimes they are quite pricey—but to add character. I always tell clients a home should feel curated, not like it came straight out of a showroom.”
Facebook Marketplace Has Become a Designer Goldmine
Like Martinez, interior designer Kate LeCerf says Facebook Marketplace is one of her most valuable sourcing tools because of the hidden gems it can uncover, which often serve as “the bones” of many of her projects—especially because many vintage and secondhand pieces offer craftsmanship that’s increasingly difficult to find in newer furniture.
“Solid wood and real craftsmanship are becoming harder and pricier to find,” LeCerf tells Redfin News. “I look for pieces with history or brands no longer in production that just need a fresh stain or new fabric. Oftentimes, this stuff will be better than anything off a showroom floor.”
She also recommends consistency when searching online marketplaces. By frequently searching for the same materials, styles, and heritage brands, her algorithms begin surfacing better inventory faster; “almost like a personal shopper,” she says.
Fellow interior designer and architect Pamela Dailey offers another tip: browse Facebook Marketplace while traveling.
“I always check Facebook Marketplace when I’m traveling to see what’s out there and how it differs from my own local area,” Dailey says. “Most online secondhand inventory is incredibly dynamic, so you truly never know where your next great find can come from.”
What Experts Look for When Shopping Secondhand
For homeowners interested in shopping secondhand, experts recommend focusing on quality materials and timeless pieces.
Venus Martinez, a senior Redfin agent based in Los Angeles, suggests prioritizing real wood furniture, leather pieces, and vintage kitchenware. She also recommends checking thrift stores for art, unique frames, antique china, and handmade textiles like crocheted blankets and throws—all of which add a sense of warmth and welcomeness to a home that may boost its sale value.
Martinez encourages shoppers to branch out beyond a single thrift store chain, too: “Diversify your locations,” she says. “Visit thrift stores in different areas, attend estate sales, go to Goodwill and Salvation Army and check all the secondhand sites—not just Facebook Marketplace.”
Ultimately, experts agree the appeal of secondhand shopping goes beyond affordability. The right vintage find can bring history, texture, and individuality into a space in a way brand-new furniture often cannot.
As LeCerf puts it: “You can’t manufacture the grit and personality of a one-of-a-kind find.”
