Furnishing a London flat feels a bit like a bank robbery waiting to happen. But as tempting as an Ikea trip sounds (if only for the meatballs 😉), why not give your space some personality?
London’s second-hand furniture shops are full of pieces with far more character than flatpack - and at a fraction of the price. This guide covers where to look: charity furniture warehouses, the big charity furniture stores, vintage and mid-century specialists, and the flea markets where dealers do their sourcing.
Second-hand furniture in London at a glance
| Where | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Barnet Furniture Centre | Friern Barnet, N11 | Cheap everyday furniture, sold by a charity |
| Emmaus Greenwich | Plumstead, Lewisham and Poplar | Furniture and household goods, plus antiques and mid-century online |
| British Heart Foundation furniture stores | Across London | Sofas, beds, wardrobes and appliances |
| Second Time Around | New Cross, SE14 | Everyday furniture and appliances |
| Vintique London | Peckham, SE15 | Mid-century and retro design |
| Old Spitalfields antiques market | Spitalfields, E1 | Antiques and vintage, on Thursdays |
Second-hand furniture warehouses in London
If you want lots of choice and low prices, start with a warehouse.
Barnet Furniture Centre
One of London’s best-kept furniture secrets, this charity sells donated furniture from its warehouse at seriously affordable prices. It helps furnish homes for low-income families and keeps perfectly good furniture out of landfill.
- Easy on the bank account: Seriously affordable furniture, perfect for when you’re on a budget.
- Doing good feels good: Anything you spend helps people who need it.
- Two-tier pricing: If you’re claiming benefits, you can furnish your place for less.
- Rarer pieces online: More unusual items go on their eBay shop.
Details:
- Address: 4 Queens Parade Close, Friern Barnet, London N11 3FY
- Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm
- Full details: here
Emmaus Greenwich
Emmaus Greenwich supports people moving on from homelessness, and runs three shops across South East and East London selling second-hand furniture, household goods and clothing. Antiques, designer and mid-century pieces also go on its eBay and Depop shops.
Details:
- Plumstead: Earl Rise, off Brewery Road, SE18 7NF - Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm
- Lewisham: 197 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6AA - Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4:30pm
- Poplar: 175 East India Dock Road, E14 0EA - Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4:30pm
- More info: Emmaus Greenwich
British Heart Foundation furniture stores
The British Heart Foundation runs dedicated furniture and electrical stores across London, selling everything from sofas, tables, beds and wardrobes to TVs and home appliances. They’re the easiest place to pick up a whole room’s worth of furniture in one trip.
You’ll find them in:
- Lewisham: 209 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LY
- Old Kent Road: 211 Old Kent Road, SE1 5LU
- Brixton: 36 Acre Lane, SW2 5SP
- Wandsworth: 153 Wandsworth High Street, SW18 4JB
- Holloway: 83 Seven Sisters Road, N7 6BU
- Leytonstone: 783-785 High Road Leytonstone, E11 4QS
- North Finchley: 698-702 High Road, N12 9PY
- West Ealing: 13 Broadway, W13 9DA
- Kingston: 10 Alderman Judge Mall, KT1 1BS
Opening hours vary by store - the Lewisham store, for example, opens 10am-5:30pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday. If you’re clearing out rather than buying, the BHF also collects donated furniture and electricals from your home for free.
Second Time Around
Ever wished you could raid your cool aunt’s flat? Second Time Around is the next best thing. This independent shop on Lewisham Way hand-picks its stock, so you can skip the sifting and get straight to the good stuff. The shop has also offered delivery, assembly, house clearances and warranties on appliances - ask about current terms before you buy.
Details:
- Address: 110 Lewisham Way, London SE14 6NY
- Opening times: Monday to Friday 8:30am-5pm, Saturday 8am-5pm, closed Sunday
- Full details: here
Vintique London
If mid-century is your thing, Vintique London is a proper rabbit hole. It’s a vintage furniture warehouse in Peckham, packed with retro, mid-century and design pieces - the kind of sideboard-and-record-cabinet finds that cost a fortune in a Shoreditch boutique, with a fairer price tag here.
Details:
- Address: Unit 2c, Copeland Park, Peckham, London SE15 3SN
- Opening times: Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm
- Full details: here
While you’re at Copeland Park, check whether Peckham Salvage Yard is on - it’s a flea market of vintage furniture, reclaimed industrial fixtures and lighting in the same complex.
Old Spitalfields Market
On Thursdays, Old Spitalfields Market turns over to antiques and vintage, opening early at 8am. It’s the place for smaller furniture, lighting, ceramics, art and decorative pieces to finish a room.
- Covered market: Shop whatever the weather.
- Open every day: The daily market runs 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday, with different traders through the week.
- Don’t skip lunch: The street food is excellent.
Details:
- Address: 16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW
- Antiques market: Thursdays, from 8am
Don’t sleep on London’s flea markets
Some of the best second-hand furniture in London turns up at flea markets - pop-ups in halls, warehouses and car parks, full of salvaged furniture, vintage lighting and one-off objects. They’re where dealers and stylists do their sourcing, so get there early.
- The Vintage Furniture & Flea Markets - neighbourhood markets across London, from Fulham and Camden to the Leadenhall Vintage Furniture & Flea Market in the City. The best bet for mid-century furniture.
- Peckham Salvage Yard - vintage furniture, reclaimed industrial fixtures and salvage at Copeland Park.
- The Giant London Flea Market - a multi-storey car park full of vintage homeware and furniture at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Dates move, so check flea markets this weekend before you go.
Tips for buying second-hand furniture in London
- Measure first. Know the size of your room, doorways and stairwell before you fall in love with a wardrobe.
- Check the basics. Open drawers, sit on chairs and look for wobbles, woodworm and water damage.
- Ask about fire labels. Upholstered furniture should carry a fire safety label - most charity shops won’t sell sofas without one.
- Plan the journey home. Ask whether the shop delivers, or book a van in advance.
- Go often. Stock changes daily, so regular visits beat one big trip.
For more, read our guide to buying second-hand furniture.
Looking for free furniture instead?
If you’re furnishing a home on a tight budget, you might not need to buy everything. London has several charities, furniture reuse schemes and community projects that give away sofas, tables, beds and other household items for free. We’ve rounded them up in our guide to free furniture in London.
Second-hand furniture in London: FAQs
Where can I buy cheap second-hand furniture in London?
Charity furniture warehouses such as Barnet Furniture Centre and Emmaus Greenwich, and the British Heart Foundation’s furniture stores, are the cheapest places to start. Car boot sales are good for smaller pieces - see our guide to the best car boot sales in London.
Is there a second-hand furniture warehouse in London?
Yes. Barnet Furniture Centre in Friern Barnet sells donated furniture from its warehouse, and Vintique London is a vintage furniture warehouse in Peckham. Emmaus Greenwich’s three shops also sell second-hand furniture.
Can I get second-hand furniture for less if I’m on benefits?
Some charities offer lower prices. Barnet Furniture Centre runs two-tier pricing for people claiming benefits, and some schemes give furniture away for free - see our free furniture guide.
Who collects furniture donations in London?
The British Heart Foundation collects donated furniture and electricals from your home for free. For other charities, see which UK charities offer home collection for donations.
Find second-hand furniture near you
New shops and pop-ups open all the time. Ganddee maps second-hand furniture shops, charity shops and flea markets across London, so you can find what’s near you and what’s on this weekend.
