The definitive guide to how to part ways with furniture in Boston.

Written By Jessica Harrington

Moving can be a hectic process, and getting rid of unwanted furniture is often a top priority. Whether you’re looking to sell quickly or maximize your earnings, Boston offers several options for selling furniture, from online marketplaces to local consignment stores.

As a very busy home staging and fast-furnish design firm, we buy a ton of furniture, it’s our tool of the trade!  And 75% of what we buy is vintage, local returns, or sourced locally.  

Boston is a particularly transient city, and we love to buy pieces when we’re supporting our client’s moving.   We pride ourselves on the sustainability of buying locally.  Buying locally and second hand is sustainable in many ways:  keeps cross-country truck emissions lower, gives us access to quality pieces vs fast furniture options, and helps us to deliver an authentic look when staging.  

With all of that said, our mission is to deliver the most value to our clients that we stage for, so we are notorious low-ballers for furniture offers!  But, we love to trade moving services for furniture acquisition.  Want to share some things you’d like to part ways with?

E-mail us at Stage@JessFinessed.com.

While we are always acquiring inventory, this guide will help you choose the best path, based on your needs:

1. Online Marketplaces

Facebook Marketplace - The obvious!

  • Best for: Fast sales and local transactions

  • Pros: No listing fees, easy to connect with local buyers, and convenient communication through Messenger

  • Cons: Can attract lowball offers or unreliable buyers

  • Tips: Post clear photos, include detailed descriptions, and set a firm price

AptDeco - NOW national and not just in NYC!!

  • Best for: Selling used, contemporary furniture at fair market prices

  • Pros: User-friendly app, local-focused audience, pick up and delivery options

  • Cons: Competition with many other sellers

  • Tips: Highlight any unique features or brand names in your listing.  Quality condition matters

Chairish

  • Best for: High-end or vintage furniture

  • Pros: Attracts design-conscious buyers, professional listing assistance

  • Cons: Commission fees apply, longer time to sell

  • Tips: Stage your furniture well and use high-quality images

2. Consignment Stores & Local Shops

Furniture Consignment Gallery (Hanover, Chestnut Hill, & other locations)

  • Best for: Brand-name furniture and high-end resale

  • Pros: Takes well-known designer brands, does the selling for you, very responsive via e-mail

  • Cons: 50% commission on sales, marks pieces down as time elapses. 

Boomerangs (Re-opening on Mass Ave in Cambridge this year)

  • Best for: Donating and supporting a good cause (benefits the AIDS Action Committee)

  • Pros: Free pickup for donations, popular in the community

  • Cons: No direct cash sales for sellers

Reside (Cambridge, MA)

  • Best for: Mid-century modern and designer furniture

  • Pros: High-end customer base, fair consignment rates

  • Cons: Limited space means selective acceptance

Goodwill | Salvation Army | Habitat for Humanity ReStore

  • Best for: Donations and tax write-offs

  • Pros: Hassle-free removal, helping the community

  • Cons: No payment for furniture

4. Specialty Buyers & Auction Houses

Skinner Auctioneers & Appraisers (Marlborough & Boston, MA)

  • Best for: Fine furniture, European and American antiques, and art

  • Pros: High-value sales, professional appraisal, and access to serious buyers

  • Cons: May take longer to sell and requires auction house approval.  Extremely selective intake process.

Doyle Auction House (Boston & New York)

  • Best for: Valuable art, antiques, and designer furniture

  • Pros: Access to national and international buyers, well-established reputation, showroom in Back Bay

  • Cons: Auction fees apply, selective about what they accept

Furniture Banks (Household Goods) | The Furniture Trust | New Life Furniture Bank of MA

  • Best for: Donating gently used furniture

  • Pros: Helps families in need, potential tax deductions.  ** Having a nicely furnished space to live is a HUGE source of pride for those in need.  We strongly recommend pursuing this route if you want to benefit your community in the best way **

  • Cons: No monetary gain

5. Junk Removal Services

Red’s Rubbish Removal (Boston & surrounding areas) - Tim Sellenger of Red’s Rubbish is our preferred partner

  • Best for: Quick and efficient furniture removal

  • Pros: Local and highly rated, handles large and small jobs, he has a re-sale shop in Winthrop, keeping furniture and lots of cool things out of landfills!  Seamless removal process. On Halloween, Tim dresses like Chewbacca for his junk removal route.

  • Cons: Furniture is removed and not purchased outright, although, there are lots of efficiencies having a removal company manage everything.

Final Tips for Selling Furniture in Boston

  • Price Competitively: Research similar listings to set a fair price.  Upholstery typically sells for about 50% of retail

  • Be Honest About Condition: Disclose any damage or wear to avoid issues

  • Schedule Pickups Wisely: Aim for daylight hours in safe locations

  • Use Secure Payment Methods: Avoid personal checks; Venmo, PayPal, or cash is best

  • Use a service like Boston Small Hauls to transport things locally.

By choosing the right platform, you can make your move smoother while also earning some extra cash. Happy selling!


Jessica Harrington
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