Best Time to Sell Furniture: Seasonal Selling Guide

Seasonal Guide to Selling Furniture

As a seasoned furniture reseller, I've learned that timing is everything. Whether you're flipping IKEA basics or high-end designer pieces, understanding the ebb and flow of the furniture market can significantly impact your profits. Here's a comprehensive guide to mastering the seasonal patterns of buying and selling furniture.

Seasonal Breakdown

Knowing when furniture demand peaks and dips can help you plan your inventory. Here's a month-by-month analysis:

Month	Peak Selling	Best Sourcing	Expected Price Range
January	No	Yes	$30-$5000
February	Yes	No	$50-$5500
March	Yes	No	$60-$6000
April	Yes	No	$100-$6500
May	No	Yes	$40-$5500
June	No	Yes	$30-$5000
July	Yes	No	$70-$6000
August	Yes	No	$80-$6500
September	No	Yes	$50-$5500
October	No	Yes	$40-$5000
November	Yes	No	$100-$7000
December	Yes	No	$120-$7500

Key Events Impacting Furniture Demand

• Back-to-School (August-September): Great time for selling desks and bedroom furniture, as students prep for the school year.
• Black Friday (November): High demand for all types of furniture, especially modern and high-end pieces, thanks to holiday sales.
• Christmas (December): Demand peaks for decorative and unique furniture items that can be given as gifts.
• Tax Refund Season (February-April): Customers are willing to spend more on larger items like dining tables and sofas.
• Spring Cleaning (March-May): An influx of people redecorating or clearing out their spaces means increased supply, creating excellent sourcing opportunities.

Buy Low, Sell High Strategy

Sourcing: Your best bet for sourcing quality furniture at a low cost is during spring cleaning months (March-May) and post-Christmas (January). Estate sales during these periods often offer significant discounts, particularly on large furniture which is harder to move. Keep an eye on Craigslist and Facebook for free items as people redecorate or downsize.

Selling: Focus on selling during peak months like November, December, and the summer back-to-school rush. These are the times when buyers are actively looking for quality pieces, so don't hesitate to list aggressively.

Platform-Specific Timing

Facebook Marketplace: Offers the most consistent year-round demand due to its massive user base. However, listings see a notable spike in views during weekends, especially Friday evenings and Saturdays.

Gumtree: Primarily UK-focused, with demand peaking during the summer months and before Christmas. Mid-week listings (Tuesday-Thursday) tend to perform best.

Craigslist: A US-centric platform where demand spikes around tax refund season and back-to-school. Listings attract more views in the late afternoon and evenings during weekdays.

Is Furniture Evergreen?

While furniture does sell year-round, seasonal peaks can significantly boost sales. High-quality items like mid-century modern and antiques have a consistent demand but see increased interest during peak seasons like spring and winter holidays.

Using ListingGenie for Seasonal Listings

Leverage tools like ListingGenie to craft compelling seasonal listings that resonate with buyer intent. Highlight features relevant to current trends or upcoming holidays to increase visibility and attract more buyers.

FAQ

• When is the best time to list furniture? Aim for peak selling months like November and December when demand is naturally higher.
• What days are best for listing? Listings perform best during weekends on Facebook Marketplace and mid-week on Gumtree.
• Is furniture an easy sell year-round? Yes, but expect higher sales during peak times like tax season and holidays.
• When should I source furniture? Best during spring cleaning months and post-Christmas when there's a surplus of supply.
• How do I know if I got a good deal? Compare the price with similar listings and consider the condition and brand of the furniture.