How to Flip Couches for Maximum Profit: Buy, Fix, Sell

If you’re wondering how to flip couches for profit, the quick answer is: buy low, clean it up, and sell high. Couch flipping is a surprisingly profitable side hustle, especially if you have access to a large vehicle, a bit of space, and some extra time to spend cleaning them up. Whether you’re trying to make a few hundred a month or build it into a steady stream of income, couch flipping may be one of the most overlooked ways.

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how flipping couches can help you get a maximum profit, including where to find them, how to clean them up, and how to list them so they sell fast. 

Main Takeaways

• You can flip used couches for $100-$600 profit per item.
• Most flips only need basic cleaning or simple repairs (no pro skills or tools needed)
• The best couches to flip have solid frames, neutral styles, and no major damage.
• Source couches for cheap on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and at yard sales.
• The best deals go fast, so check listings often and be ready to pick up quickly.

What is Couch Flipping?

Couch flipping is exactly what it sounds like: buying secondhand couches and selling them for a profit. It almost sounds too simple to work, but this is a side hustle that can provide a high profit per item.

Most couch flips will bring in anywhere from $100 to $600, depending on the style and condition. There aren’t a lot of other items you can resell for that kind of profit margin! And because couches are in constant demand (people moving, redecorating, etc.) there’s never a shortage of sellers or buyers.

Why It Works Right Now

The cost of new furniture just keeps climbing, and more people are looking for decent secondhand options to furnish their homes without draining their savings accounts.

At the same time, there’s a growing movement around sustainability and giving new life to used items, especially high-ticket items like furniture. That means demand is high for affordable, gently used couches.

Using tools like Vendoo to help you list your couches on different platforms can also help you reach more buyers, sell faster, and keep track of what’s working. 

Steps to Flipping Couches

Couch flipping is pretty straightforward, but learning how to flip couches the right way can make a big difference in how much profit you make and ensure that you’re not stuck with inventory (large pieces of inventory!) that won’t sell. Whether you’re hoping to flip one couch a month or scale it to a steady side hustle, here are three steps you’ll repeat each time:

1. Source: Find couches that are undervalued or free, but in good shape.
2. Refurbish: Clean them up, make small repairs, and improve the overall look
3. Sell: List on multiple platforms with solid photos, competitive pricing, and good customer communication.

Let’s break each one down in more detail so you have the exact information you need to get started.

Step 1: Sourcing Couches to Flip

The biggest key to a profitable couch flip? Knowing what to buy and where to find it. The goal is to grab undervalued or poorly marketed couches that need just a little work to turn into something easy to sell.

Ideally, you’ll spend $0-$50 per couch when just starting to keep your cost of goods low. That leaves plenty of room for profit, even after cleaning and repairs.

Where to Find Free or Cheap Couches

Surprisingly, finding cheap couches is pretty easy. The trick is acting fast because good deals will sometimes get 100+ inquiries within 24 hours. So, checking your local sources and jumping in quickly to let them know you can pick up ASAP will give you the best chance of success.

Some of the best places to source couches:

• Facebook Marketplace: As one of the most popular local marketplaces, you’ll find tons of listings here.
• Local Buy Sell Groups on Facebook: Sometimes, this is easier to scroll through than Marketplace.
• Craigslist: Not as popular these days, but this can work to your advantage since less people are shopping on there. There’s a “free” section too!
• OfferUp: Popular in some areas for local pick-ups.
• Nextdoor App: Hyperlocal finds from your neighborhood.
• Yard/garage sales: Great for negotiating good deals since not everyone is looking for a big item or can transport it.
• Thrift stores: Can be hit or miss, but worth checking regularly.
• The curb: Especially in college towns or around moving season (spring/summer), people leave perfectly good furniture for free.

💡 Pro Tips:

• Act fast! The best deals will be gone within hours, so if you see a couch at a good price (or free), message right away and let them know you can pick up ASAP.
• Look for urgency phrases like “must go today” or “pick up ASAP” to negotiate better deals from people who want items gone fast.
• Check listings with bad photos. Most people will scroll by, but that’s where the hidden gems are!

What to Look for in a Couch

One thing to remember is that not every couch is worth flipping, especially when you’re just starting. You want something in good shape that has resale potential and won’t require too much time or money to fix up.

Here’s what to look for:

• Solid wood frames: These last longer and hold their value best.
• Cleanable upholstery: Microfiber, leather, and tightly woven fabrics are usually safe bets.
• Neutral or desirable styles: Mid-century modern or clean-lined sectionals are popular and easy to sell. Floral or outdated prints don’t usually sell well.
• Minimal damage: A few surface stains or scuffs are usually fixable. Rips, broken springs, or sunken cushions aren’t usually worth dealing with.
• No major odors: If it smells like pets, smoke, or mildew, skip it. Smells are hard to remove.
• Low investment: Under $50 is best for beginners to ensure profit margins.

Step 2: Refurbishing Couches for Profit

Once you’ve sourced a couch with good bones, it’s time to bring it back to life. You don’t need to be a professional upholsterer to flip couches, you just need to pick the right one with minimal wear/damage, clean it up, and help it look and feel fresh and inviting again.

Cleaning

Start with a deep clean. Most used couches just need a solid scrub to look drastically better.

• Vacuum everything: Get into crevices, under cushions, and (if you can) inside the frame.
• Use an upholstery cleaner: Tools like the Little Green by Bissell and some upholstery cleaner can really transform a couch with minimal elbow grease.
• Spot clean: Stain removers can help you remove any stains, or at least lighten them. Folex is a cheap one that works really well!
• Remove odors: Sprinkle some baking soda on the couch and let it sit to absorb odors for a few hours before vacuuming again.
• Wash cushion covers: If they are removable, take them off and machine wash them. Just check the tags and make sure note which cover goes on which cushion before taking everything apart.

Structural Repairs

Check the frame, legs, and any moving parts. Quick repairs make a huge difference in stability and resale value.

• Tighten loose screws or bolts
• Reinforce wobbly legs with wood glue or brackets

Upholstery Restoration

• Small tears? Fabric patches or upholstery glue can fix them up.
• Loose fabric? A staple gun can help tighten things up and make it look better.

Aesthetic Upgrades

You don’t need to do a full makeover, but little touches can really help.

• Repaint or stain wood legs or accents to freshen up the look
• Add or swap out legs or hardware for a more modern style

Essential Tools and Supplies

Below are some basics that make refurbishing a little smoother. Most of these can be found on Amazon or at stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s.

• Upholstery cleaner or shampooer
• Screw driver or drill
• Fabric patches
• Wood glue 
• Staple gun and staples
• Paint or wood stain (for legs or accents)
• Baking soda or fabric fresheners

Common Repairs and How to Do Them

You really don’t need advanced skills to fix most issues you’ll run into. Here are a few common repairs and how to handle them:

• Loose legs or arms: Usually, you just need a screwdriver or drill to tighten screws. Add wood glue for extra stability if needed.
• Small tears or holes: Fabric patches or iron-on repair kits can be a quick fix. Upholstery glue is also an option, depending on the location and how big the tear is.
• Sagging cushions: Sometimes flipping or stuffing with inexpensive filler (like Poly-fil) can bring extra stability.
• Bad smells: Sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface, let it sit for at least a few hours, then vacuum it up. Alternatively, setting a couch in the sun helps with smells, too.

Step 3: Selling Your Flipped Couches

Once your couch is cleaned up and ready to sell, it’s time to list it and make your profit. A good listing, the right price, and marketing it well can be the difference between a quick sale and a couch that sits for weeks.

Pricing Strategy

Start by figuring out your total investment: how much you paid for the couch, any materials used, and don’t forget the time you spent, too! From there you can typically price a couch at at least 2-3x your cost. However, don’t forget to consider market value too. Depending on the condition, style, and demand in your area, you may be able to up your price quite a bit.

The best way to price is to check out comps on Facebook Marketplace to see what people are selling similar couches for. Price around the same and wait for offers to come in, or price a little bit lower for a faster sale.

Tips for a High Quality Listing

• Use natural light for your photos and get multiple angles.
• Include close-ups of fabric, legs, and any minor flaws.
• Stage the couch if you can! Even just placing it against a clean wall with a throw pillow helps.
• Write a clear, honest description including: dimensions, fabric type, condition, and pick up info.
• Offer delivery if possible (for a fee, if you’d like) to increase the chances of selling quickly, since many people don’t have a way to transport large furniture.

Marketplaces

Since couches are big, bulky, and expensive to ship, focusing on local platforms is usually your best bet. Selling locally means faster flips and no need to deal with freight logistics. For this, the best platforms to list on are Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, and eBay.

However, while most flips are best sold locally, don’t rule out shipping entirely. If you happen to find a highly desirable brand, rare style, or trendy piece, offering shipping can open the door to even bigger profits. Just make sure you’re comfortable with the logistics and factor in all costs.

Why Crosslisting Helps

Since each platform has its own audience, some couches may sell faster in one place than others. Listing your couch on multiple platforms instead of just one means more exposure, which usually leads to faster sales. 

Want to sell faster and save time? Tools like Vendoo let you crosslist your couches on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and more in minutes, with analytics to track profits. Sign up for Vendoo’s free trial to streamline your sales!

Best Platforms to Sell Couches

If you’re flipping couches, you should know which platforms will bring you the most success. Some are faster, some are more hands-off, and some are just better for premium pieces. Here’s a quick breakdown of the best places to sell your couches:

Facebook Marketplace

• Pros: Free to use, tons of local buyers, built-in messaging makes it easy to coordinate pickup.
• Cons: Can run into lowball offers and flaky buyers.

eBay

• Pros: Huge reach, buyer protection, and the ability to offer either local pickup or freight shipping.
• Cons: Seller fees and managing shipping for large items can be a hassle.

Craigslist

• Pros: No listing fees or seller accounts required. Great for basic, functional couches.
• Cons: Kind of outdated and more risk of scams (always meet and exchange money in person)

Consignment Shops

• Pros: Great for high end or vintage pieces. They handle pricing, marketing, and sometimes delivery.
• Cons: They take a commission (sometimes 30–50%), and you lose control over how it’s sold or priced.

Maximize Sales with Vendoo’s Crosslisting Tools

Crosslisting on multiple platforms is one of the easiest ways to sell faster because it gets your couch in front of more buyers, on more platforms, with less effort. Let’s look at crosslisting and the best way to do it.

Why Crosslist?

Listing your couch on just one platform limits your reach. Some buyers are only on one marketplace, and when you crosslist, you ensure that more people see your listings. It’s the best way to increase exposure and speed up sales.

However, doing this manually can take up a lot of your time compared to using crosslisting tools that help you do it in minutes. That’s where Vendoo comes in!

Why Use Vendoo?

Vendoo helps couch flippers save time, stay organized, and sell more by letting you crosspost your inventory across multiple platforms in minutes. 

Here are some additional benefits:

• Quick crosslisting to Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Mercari, and more
• Unlimited crossposting with plans starting at just $8.99/month (with a free trial!)
• State-of-the-art image editor to clean up photos fast
• Bulk import/export to manage inventory more efficiently
• Auto-delisting, so when a couch sells on one platform, it’s removed from the others
• Profit tracking and analytics so you can see what’s working
• Mobile app access so you can manage listings on the go
  
  

Want to test it out first? Vendoo offers a free trial so you can try it with your next flip and see the difference for yourself!

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about couch flipping as your next side hustle, you could be bringing in a pretty good profit! The key is knowing what to buy (and what not to buy), how to fix it up, and how to get it sold fast.

Using a crosslisting tool like Vendoo will also help your couch flipping side hustle with the ability to reach more buyers, track profits, and save time so you can focus on sourcing and refurbishing your flips. So go grab your first couch and get started!

FAQs About How to Flip Couches

Where can I find couches to flip?

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and yard sales are the best places to look for cheap, or even free, couches. But you need to check often because the best deals go fast (often within the same day!) 

How much profit can I make flipping couches?

Many flips can bring in a profit of $100-$600 per couch! It all depends on what you pay, the condition, and your local market.

How long does it take to flip a couch?

This will depend on your local market and what kinds of couches you can find to flip. Some will sell quickly within 24-48 hours, while some may take a week or two, depending on pricing and demand.

How does Vendoo help with couch flipping?

Vendoo helps you list your couch on multiple platforms in minutes and track your profits, saving you hours and helping you sell faster. The best part? You can try out Vendoo for free!

Ready to save time and sell faster? Vendoo lets you crosslist your couches to multiple platforms in just a few clicks.