12 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Used Furniture Online

Image by Kashew

You’re not here for “fast furniture.” You want the good stuff—pieces with patina, character, and actual joinery—without paying eye-watering retail. Smart. But buying used furniture online has traps, and some of them are…expensive. Below are the most common mistakes I see U.S. shoppers make (and exactly how to avoid them), plus a few pro moves for scoring West Elm, Restoration Hardware, Design Within Reach, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and Room & Board for far less—while keeping quality in the loop and waste out of landfills.

One article = one job. Today’s job: help you buy used furniture online like a pro.

Mistake 1: Believing “like new” from two photos

If the listing shows only straight-on, dim shots, assume nothing. Ask for:

• Close-ups of arms, corners, legs, underside, and cushion seams
• A ruler in frame to show tear/scratch scale
• Tags/labels/serials (brands like RH, West Elm, DWR, Room & Board usually tag frames or cushions)
• A shot of the underside (you’ll often spot repairs or wood species)

If a seller balks at extra photos, move on. Great pieces move fast; bad ones move…after a price drop and a headache.

Mistake 2: Not checking for pests (yes, really)

Upholstered items and wood case goods can carry hitchhikers if you’re careless. Inspect seams, tufts, piping, zippers, and wood joints with a flashlight before purchase or delivery. Look for black specks (fecal spotting), shed skins, or tiny eggs; avoid anything suspicious. The EPA explicitly advises checking secondhand furniture—beds and couches included—before bringing it home.

If you do buy an upholstered piece, use encasements for mattresses/box springs and re-inspect after delivery; DIY control tips from the EPA outline sealing hiding spots and handling infested items safely.

Mistake 3: Buying bonded leather and expecting it to age like leather

“Bonded leather” (leather scraps + polyurethane) looks great on Day 1 and heartbreaks by year two. When it peels, it doesn’t stop—repairs are cosmetic at best. News investigations and retailers have warned about peeling failure modes for bonded leather; if durability matters, choose full-grain/top-grain leather or a robust performance fabric.

Mistake 4: Ignoring dimensions (and the path into your home)

Measure the piece (width × depth × height), then measure every choke point: building entry, elevator, stair turns, hallway, door frames, clearance to ceiling fixtures. Most failed deliveries happen at the second turn of the stairs—ask me how I know. Brands like Crate & Barrel publish straightforward delivery-path measurement guides; follow those principles and you’ll avoid return fees and bruised drywall.

Mistake 5: Skipping return/refund fine print

It’s not romantic, but it’s essential. Read: Who pays return shipping? How many days? Any restocking fee? Are “as-is” or sale items final? The FTC’s consumer advice literally tells you to check refund and return policies up front and to confirm shipping timelines. Follow that and you’ll never get stuck with “store credit only” surprises.

Mistake 6: Forgetting to budget finish or reupholstery work

A $500 classic chair that needs $900 in upholstery isn’t a deal unless the result makes sense to you. Get ballpark quotes (fabric, foam, labor) before you click “buy.” If you love the frame and the ergonomics, go for it—but do the math.

Mistake 7: Confusing veneer with “cheap”

Veneer ≠ bad. High-quality walnut veneer on stable substrate can outlast solid wood in hostile humidity swings. What you want to avoid is lifting/bubbling veneer, misaligned grain, or water rings that have telegraphed into the face. Run your palm over edges; if you feel sharp transitions or lifting at corners, negotiate or pass.

Mistake 8: Overlooking odor history

Smoke, heavy perfume, or mildew can be stubborn. Ask directly about smoke-free / pet-free homes and storage conditions (basements/garages are red flags). A light musty scent can sometimes be treated; smoke is forever.

Mistake 9: Buying children’s sleep products second-hand without a safety check

Nursery products have strict, evolving standards; drop-side cribs were banned in 2011, and older finishes may contain lead. The EPA reminds consumers that pre-1978 coatings may be lead-based; the safest route is to avoid old cribs altogether and to verify any nursery item against current standards/recalls. For a sanity check on what’s safe to buy used (and what to avoid), consult reputable baby-safety resources and the CPSC; older or recalled cribs remain a known hazard.

Mistake 10: Paying “retail nostalgia” pricing

Some mass-market pieces don’t hold value (so don’t overpay). Others—iconic silhouettes, solid frames, highly rated sofas—keep a strong resale curve. If you’re browsing West Elm, RH, DWR, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, or Room & Board, filter for condition, fabric grade, and frame material before comparing prices. On Kashew, listings are curated and move quickly—set alerts and be ready.

Mistake 11: Ignoring seller signals

Green flags: clear photos, specific measurements, brand/model names, original purchase info, quick answers, and a consistent vibe across listings. Red flags: generic descriptions, stock images, evasive answers, and “just Zelle me.” When in doubt, buy through platforms with buyer protection and vetted sellers.

Mistake 12: Not using keyword strategy (yes, for shopping)

Search smarter: sellers don’t all title items the same way. Try “used West Elm Andes sofa,” “pre-owned RH Cloud sectional,” “DWR Saarinen side table,” “Crate & Barrel media console,” “Room & Board cherry dresser,” plus fabric/wood terms (“bouclé,” “Performance Crypton,” “walnut,” “oak”). Tools like AnswerThePublic reveal the exact questions people ask (example: “is it safe to buy a used couch,” “how to disinfect used furniture”). Build your searches around those phrases to surface better listings.

Quick 90-Second Vetting Routine (save this)

1. Scan photos → add requests for underside, seams, and tags.
2. Check measurements → piece and delivery path (doors, stairs, elevator).
3. Ask condition questions → stains, odors, pets, smoke, repairs.
4. Verify materials → avoid bonded leather; confirm solid wood vs veneer edge details.
5. Confirm policies → delivery method, returns, timing, and who pays if it doesn’t fit.

Where used designer furniture really shines (our take)

• West Elm: Solid value on sofas (Andes, Harmony) and case goods in walnut/oak; watch fabric grades—performance weaves age better.
• Restoration Hardware (RH): The classic silhouettes age beautifully; slipcovered lines are your friend (washable, recoverable).
• Design Within Reach (DWR): Iconic licensed designs; verify finish and edge integrity on tables and shell chairs.
• Pottery Barn: Sturdy dining and storage; mind finish sheen and ring marks.
• Crate & Barrel: Great modern basics; quality control is generally consistent—measure path carefully on larger sectionals.
• Room & Board: Rock-solid American frames; upholstery tends to wear cleanly.

Prefer to browse by category first?

Sustainable by default (and why we cheer it)

Buying used extends a product’s life and keeps bulky waste out of U.S. landfills. Circularity isn’t a buzzword; it’s literally how good design proves itself over decades. When you pick quality wood, repairable upholstery, and timeless silhouettes, you’re voting for durability—and for the local shop owners and professional resellers who keep these pieces moving.

FAQs

Is it safe to buy used upholstered furniture?

Yes—with inspection. Check seams, tufts, and undersides before it enters your home; the EPA specifically recommends inspecting secondhand beds and couches for signs of bed bugs.

What materials hold up best second-hand?

Top-grain/full-grain leather, durable performance fabrics, solid wood frames, and quality veneers over stable cores. Be wary of bonded leather—once it starts peeling, it’s game over.

How do I make sure it fits through my door?

Measure the piece and your delivery path (doorways, hallways, stair turns, elevator). Follow the same steps major retailers recommend for delivery success.

Anything I should avoid for kids’ rooms?

Avoid older cribs (drop-sides are banned), and be mindful of finishes on vintage pieces due to possible lead-based paints in pre-1978 items. Check current standards and recalls.

The Kashew way (our slightly biased, very honest pitch)

We’re pro-design, pro-quality, and pro-local. Every piece should have a second (or third) life, and the people who curate, repair, and resell deserve your business. On Kashew, you’ll find pre-loved designer furniture from vetted sellers across the U.S., with delivery options and buyer-friendly policies spelled out clearly. That means less guessing—and better sitting.

Ready to browse? Start with sofas, then fall down the rabbit hole:

• Restoration Hardware on Kashew
• West Elm on Kashew
• Design Within Reach on Kashew
• Pottery Barn on Kashew
• Crate & Barrel on Kashew
• Room & Board on Kashew

Target keywords used (naturally, not stuffed)

• buy used furniture online, used furniture stores online, furniture consignment stores
• affordable designer furniture, pre-owned designer furniture
• used West Elm sofa, second hand Restoration Hardware, Design Within Reach used, Pottery Barn used, Crate & Barrel used, Room & Board used
• how to measure furniture for delivery, how to inspect used sofa, is bonded leather good, how to check used furniture for bed bugs, return policy used furniture

Bonus: search-listening tools show people also ask “is it safe to buy a used couch” and “how to disinfect used furniture”—work those into your searches when hunting listings.

One last nudge

Good design lasts. Bad photos lie. Measure twice. Read the fine print. Support local resellers. And if a piece makes your heart skip—act fast, but not blind.