Looking for and, above all, finding furniture or decorations that make a difference in our home isn’t always easy. Or, at least, it isn’t if we always search in the same places. It’s true that many times we find ideal pieces in Zara Home or IKEA. Even in Primark or Amazon. But the real gems are, besides in your grandmother’s attic, in flea markets and second-hand platforms.
“In recent years, more and more people have been encouraged to buy second-hand products beyond fashion, and the supply of home items has continued to grow, driven by changes in the way people consume and by a greater concern for the environment and savings,” says Ève Taraborelli, Communications Manager Western Europe at Vinted. For her part, Cristina Gómez Molina, External Communications Director at Wallapop, points to the “context of inflation and economic uncertainty” as a motivation for some “consumers who seek alternatives that combine saving and sustainability.”
The data speak for themselves: Wallapop has gone from 170,000 users in 2013 to more than 21 million in 2026, with more than 100 million listings each year. Vinted, for its part, closed the 2025 fiscal year with a gross value of items sold that surpassed €10 billion globally, becoming already the online store that sells the most in France, for example.
Why it’s a good idea to buy second-hand furniture
Far from being a one-off solution, second-hand has become part of daily life as a form of more conscious consumption, without giving up values or quality of life. In fact, according to the latest edition of La Red del Cambio 2025, “almost half of the population (45%) says that buying reused products allows them to maintain the lifestyle they want, balancing their aspirations with the current economic reality,” notes Wallapop.
According to Taraborelli, of Vinted, “in Spain, especially, interest in furniture, garden items and appliances and kitchen utensils is increasing, which demonstrates the potential this category has to continue growing.” And it’s not surprising. In a category like décor where pieces require a certain investment, as Gómez Molina at Wallapop quantifies, “the purchase of reused items can mean savings of up to 65% compared to the original price.”
The same view is shared by Hausgänger, the Instagram profile with thousands of followers that shows you can furnish and decorate your home with designer objects at a good price. “The main advantage is that you can access high-quality pieces for a much lower price. In many cases they are furniture better manufactured than current ones, with more durable materials. Also, we avoid falling into seasonal products or passing trends. You can buy something unique, something with personality. That something that sets your home apart from the rest.”
But there’s more. In addition to the economic factor, sustainability and the distinctive character of second-hand pieces, there is learning, as Hausgänger explains. “Buying second-hand often forces you, in many cases, to restore, repair or improve what you buy. And that’s where a very interesting process begins. Even if you have no idea at first, it’s a very practical and fun way to learn. The time you invest in getting the piece ready creates a bond that goes beyond aesthetics.”
What sells best on Vinted and Wallapop for the home
Furthermore, both Vinted and Wallapop agree on the seasonality of buy-sell transactions of decoration items on their respective platforms: the activity peaks in the category are closely related to seasonal changes and specific times of the year when users look to refresh their homes. “They are related to key moments such as the return to routine after summer, the preparation of homes before the change of season, or the arrival of Christmas,” notes Ève Taraborelli. On the other hand, Cristina Gómez Molina also notes that “decor for balconies, terraces and outdoor spaces performs better during spring and summer, when good weather encourages people to spend more time outdoors.”
We have long been pointing out that décor trends increasingly seek inspiration from the past. And, judging by consumer interest in these second-hand platforms, theory and practice go hand in hand. “In the decoration category on Vinted, users mainly look for pieces with personality and a retro touch. Just in 2025, 28% of all home decor searches included the word vintage, reflecting the growing interest in items with history and their own style,” notes Ève Taraborelli.
In Hausgänger, the surprise comes with interest in IKEA vintage furniture. the IKEA vintage products. “I wasn’t aware of how desired some discontinued designs from the brand can be. A very clear example is the ENETRI shelf from Ikea. I constantly search for it because I know many people want it. Its usual price hovers around €300, well above its original price, and on several occasions I’ve found it in excellent condition for less than €50. Or the KROMVIK bed, a piece I’ve been looking for for a long time and, so far, I’ve never found.”
Additionally, on Wallapop in the last month the most searched-for products have been sofas, wardrobes and desks; the best-selling items, office chairs, white wooden shelves and wooden nightstands. And we’ve detected a rising trend in interest for bonsai: searches for this product increased by 188% in the last year.
Tips for buying affordable second-hand home décor
However, and despite being a growing option, buying second-hand furniture and décor still generates some reluctance among consumers, who sometimes do not fully “trust” the bargains they find on second-hand platforms. And this is where the advice from our experts comes in.
· Plan your purchase
“Buying second-hand furniture and décor on Wallapop is particularly satisfying when done in a planned way: having a clear purchase objective, budget, and the use intended for each piece makes decision-making easier, just as checking measurements, condition and aesthetic coherence with the space where it will be placed,” recommends Cristina Gómez Molina.
· Learn to search well
“If you’re looking for something very specific, it’s more difficult to find it at a good price. If you type directly ‘Phase lamp’ in the search, you’ll probably not find it cheap. I tend to use more general, but well-scoped terms: ‘desk lamp’, ‘office lamp’, ‘vintage flex lamp’. From there, the most important thing is patience and persistence,” say Hausgänger.
· Negotiate the price
Furthermore, Ève Taraborelli points out that “when buying household items, review the photos, taking into account all details: finish, materials, possible damages or signs of wear. Regarding price, don’t be afraid to negotiate. Negotiation is one of Vinted’s features and many sellers expect to receive offers. A useful trick is to list your item at a slightly higher price (for example, €21.89 instead of €20) to have room for a discount when an offer arrives.”
· Speed makes the difference
“You need to check often and stay alert. As the saying goes, patience is a great virtue. But when the piece appears, it’s essential to act quickly and be flexible. Try to arrange a viewing as soon as possible and, if you can go the same day, even better. That way you avoid someone else getting there first,” recommend Hausgänger.
· The best day to buy
Another tip noted by Ève Taraborelli “is to observe periods of highest activity: purchases tend to rise on Sunday afternoons. To maximize returns, take advantage of seasonality, selling and buying the most demanded products, and group your purchases to save on shipping costs.”
· Chat with the seller
“To refine the search, it’s essential to take advantage of the platform’s filters, such as category, product condition, price, or location, which help you find exactly what you need more quickly. If you have any doubts, it’s advisable to use the platform’s integrated chat to request additional photos or ask about the product’s prior use and possible flaws,” recommends Cristina Gómez Molina.
· Look for trusted profiles
Gómez Molina also recommends “keep communication within the platform at all times as a safety measure. This same chat also serves to negotiate and present offers to the seller.” Taraborelli adds that “it’s important to also opt for trusted profiles, with good ratings and several transactions, who tend to be the most reliable. If you’re not sure about your purchase, you can ask for additional photos and details about the product’s condition. For fragile items, make sure the seller has packaged them properly and, if possible, that they take photos of the package before shipping.” Finally, Hausgänger reminds us that “no one is obligated to buy. When you see the piece in person, it’s worth inspecting it carefully, checking for defects and deciding whether the price still makes sense.”
