Second-Hand Furniture in South Africa: Furnish Your Whole Place for Under R15 000

Walking into Mr Price Home or @home and pricing a couch, bed, dining table and TV stand will give you heart palpitations. Buy it all on credit and you'll still be paying it off in 2030. Or — buy second-hand and walk away with the same setup for a tenth of the price.

Realistic budget per room (2026)

• Lounge (3-piece couch, coffee table, TV stand): R3 500 – R6 000
• Bedroom (queen bed + base, pedestals, headboard): R3 000 – R5 000
• Dining (6-seater table + chairs): R1 800 – R3 500
• Kitchen extras (microwave, kettle, toaster, pots): R1 200 – R2 000

Total: comfortably under R15 000 for a fully furnished one-bed flat.

Where the best deals come from

People who are emigrating, downsizing, or moving overseas sell quality furniture for half-price because they need it gone fast. Watch the classifieds for words like "urgent", "moving abroad" and "must go this weekend".

What to inspect before you buy

1. Couches: lift the cushions, check for tears, sag and (yes) bedbugs. Push hard on the frame — if it creaks, the wood is cracked.
2. Beds and mattresses: only buy mattresses from a clearly clean home. Otherwise, buy frames only and get a new mattress.
3. Wood furniture: tap it. Solid wood thuds, chipboard sounds hollow and won't survive one move.
4. Appliances: ask to see them plugged in and working before you load up the bakkie.

Don't forget transport

Most sellers don't deliver. Either rent a small bakkie for the day (around R450) or use a local "bakkie taxi" service — easily found in the Services section on most SA classifieds.

Is it safe to buy a second-hand mattress?

Only if it's less than 2 years old, stored in a clean dry home, and you've inspected the seams for bedbugs and stains. When in doubt, buy the bed frame and base separately and a fresh mattress new — your back will thank you.

How do I move heavy furniture cheaply?

Search for "bakkie hire" or "furniture transport" in your city's Services classifieds — most operators charge R350–R600 for a local move and bring loaders. Way cheaper than booking a full removals company.

Where can I sell unwanted furniture in South Africa?

Free classifieds sites like Geebo let you list furniture with photos in minutes — buyers contact you directly, you set the price, and there are no listing fees or commissions.

Browse furniture on Geebo

Find lounges, beds, dining sets and more from sellers in your suburb on Geebo — post your own ad in under 2 minutes for free.