The Brands Interior Designers Love to Buy Secondhand

Image by Alberto Furniture

If you’re hunting for the best designer furniture brands to buy secondhand, congratulations—your taste (and timing) is excellent. Designers don’t shop used because it’s “cheap”; they shop used because it’s smart. You get proven design, serious craftsmanship, and better materials for less, while keeping great pieces in the circular economy. That’s the Kashew mindset: sustainability, quality, and supporting local consignment pros—without sacrificing style.

Why designers buy certain brands secondhand (and you should too)

• Quality holds up. Solid hardwood frames, real veneers, kiln-dried joinery, and licensed designs age beautifully. When these show up secondhand, they’re precisely the pieces worth grabbing.
• Patina > pristine. An oiled walnut table with a decade of gentle use is warmer—and often tougher—than a brand-new veneer panel.
• Value retention. Good brands keep a strong resale floor. Buy right and you can often resell later with minimal loss (sometimes a profit after a good clean and better photos).
• Immediate delivery. Skip 12-week lead times. With Kashew’s nationwide delivery, your find goes from “saved” to “styled” fast. Shop the latest arrivals.

West Elm: the modern starter kit—just buy the right pieces

Designers love West Elm secondhand because the forms are current, the silhouettes photograph cleanly, and casegoods in solid or thick veneer woods can take a beating. Hunt down solid-wood dining tables, real leather sofas (look for supple, not plasticky finishes), and metal base chairs/stools that don’t wobble. Be picky with deep-seat, feather-heavy sofas—confirm cushion loft and zipper access for refilling. When in doubt, choose performance fabrics and real wood tops. Then style with vintage lighting and you’ll look custom—not catalog.

Tip: Always measure pedestal and trestle tables carefully—knee clearance varies. And flip chairs over to check welds or fasteners. If you want quick wins, start with West Elm on Kashew.

Restoration Hardware (RH): big, timeless, built to last

No brand telegraphs “grown-up room” like RH. Secondhand, it’s a slam dunk: the Cloud and Maxwell sofas, French Casement cabinets, hefty trestle dining tables, and patinated lighting that makes everything feel expensive. Confirm cushion fill (down vs. poly) and check slipcovers for stitch integrity; new covers are widely available if you ever want a palette shift. If you love the quiet luxury look, shop RH pre-owned and pocket the savings. Browse RH finds.

Reality check: RH’s large-scale pieces want space. Measure doors, stairwells, and elevators. Ask for modular dimensions before you fall in love with a 120” sectional you can’t fit.

Design Within Reach: buy licensed icons, not knockoffs

Interior designers don’t compromise on DWR. Authentic, licensed pieces—Eames, Saarinen, HAY, Muuto—are the backbone of a modern collection. Secondhand is where DWR becomes irresistible: tulip tables with honest edge wear, Aeron/Embody task chairs already broken-in (your back will cheer), and storage systems with extra shelves included. Confirm maker marks under the base and audit hardware. Then enjoy real design history at mortal prices. Shop DWR on Kashew.

Pottery Barn: family-proof upholstery & classic storage

PB shines secondhand for households that actually live in their living rooms. Look for 8-way hand-tied frames on older classics, performance slipcovers you can toss in the wash, and solid-wood dressers that shrug off life’s dings. If a sofa looks a little slouchy, unzip and refluff; if the slipcover’s tired, a fresh cover can transform it. For a cozy, East-Coast-meets-California palette, start here: Pottery Barn on Kashew.

Crate & Barrel + CB2: dining heroes & apartment workhorses

Secondhand C&B is a designer staple because their solid and veneer dining tables, curved upholstery, and bar carts are stylish without being loud. CB2’s slim profiles and metal frames are perfect for smaller spaces—just check powder-coat touch-ups on black pieces. For the dining room, prioritize wood tops you can refinish once in your lifetime. Crate & Barrel | CB2.

Room & Board: the quiet MVP of long-term ownership

Designers love R&B because the construction is honest, the woods are well-finished, and the lines play nicely with vintage. Secondhand, prioritize Shaker-ish solid-wood dressers, steel base dining tables, and clean-lined sofas with removable cushion covers. Pieces from their USA workshops age gracefully and refinish beautifully. See what’s live now: Room & Board on Kashew.

How to vet a secondhand designer piece like a pro

• Flip it. Check underside rails, center supports, welds, corner blocks, and screw heads. Good bones = green light.
• Run your hand. Drag fingertips along edges for veneer lifts; tiny lifts can be glued, broad bubbles are a pass.
• Open & close. Drawers should glide evenly; doors should sit flush. Soft-close hardware can be replaced—but factor cost.
• Upholstery test. Sit, stand, repeat. Listen for spring creaks. Check cushion cores (foam should rebound; feathers should have zippers for refilling).
• Smell test. Musty can often be aired out; smoke is harder. Ask your seller for details—Kashew’s vetted resellers provide condition notes and multiple photos. Browse seating.

Where designers actually shop secondhand online

Curated resale platforms and trusted consignment partners beat random classifieds. You get better photography, honest condition grades, and delivery that won’t make you cry. That’s why our own editorial team keeps highlighting brand-specific deals—like RH sofas and DWR icons—moving quickly across the marketplace. Start with Kashew’s latest branded drops.

Designer-backed short list: what to click “buy” on first

• RH Cloud/Maxwell sofas with intact down cushions and clean slipcovers.
• DWR tulip tables with honest wear and verified maker marks.
• Room & Board dressers in solid maple, walnut, or cherry—refinish once, enjoy forever.
• Crate & Barrel dining tables where the top can be lightly sanded/oiled to near-new.
• Pottery Barn slipcovered sofas with replacement covers still available.
• West Elm solid-wood casegoods (avoid low-quality veneers showing swelling or edge peel).

FAQ

Is West Elm worth buying used? Yes—especially solid-wood tables, leather seating, and metal-base stools. Inspect veneers and choose performance fabrics when possible.

Which RH pieces hold value? Cloud/Maxwell seating, trestle dining, and heritage cabinets consistently resell. Buy neutral fabrics and timeless finishes for maximum flexibility.

Why choose DWR secondhand instead of replicas? Licensed pieces keep their value and finish quality. You’ll feel the difference in the hardware, bases, and upholstery details.

How do I avoid delivery headaches? Measure doorways, stair turns, and elevators. When in doubt, message the seller for module dimensions. Kashew’s pro sellers can help you plan routes and timing.

Ready to hunt?

Secondhand is where good rooms get great—and where great rooms get soul. If you want a home that feels designed (not decorated), invest in the right brands, vet the construction, and shop from trusted sellers. Then take a victory lap through your living room, because you just scored designer furniture the savvy, sustainable, and stylish way.

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