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.
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.
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.
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:
Let’s break each one down in more detail so you have the exact information you need to get started.
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.
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:
💡 Pro Tips:
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:
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.
Structural Repairs
Check the frame, legs, and any moving parts. Quick repairs make a huge difference in stability and resale value.
Upholstery Restoration
Aesthetic Upgrades
You don’t need to do a full makeover, but little touches can really help.
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.
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:
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
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!
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
eBay
Craigslist
Consignment Shops
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:
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!
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!
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!)
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.
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.
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.