First Apartment Furniture: Buying Used Instead of New

Furnishing a first apartment doesn't mean buying everything new. Used furniture from classifieds sites, second-hand shops, or flea markets often costs a fraction of the retail price, especially for pieces like wardrobes, shelves, or dressers that show little wear.

Where to find used furniture

Kleinanzeigen is one of the most important platforms for used furniture in Germany: in the Home & Garden category alone, more than ten million listings are available at any given time, which is especially useful for local sales and larger items that don't need to be shipped. Second-hand shops, neighborhood bulky-waste collection days, and local Facebook groups are worth checking too. If you're flexible on color and style, these routes offer far more selection than a single new-furniture retailer.

How to buy used safely

Per the Verbraucherzentrale's recommendation, paying cash on pickup is 100% safe for both sides, since money and goods change hands at the same moment. For a remote purchase with advance bank transfer, always confirm the payment has actually arrived in your own account before shipping the item, since an emailed payment confirmation alone can be faked. Kleinanzeigen also recommends measuring every piece with a tape measure before buying and photographing it alongside the tape measure, and measuring your own doorway, hallway, and stairwell in advance: the width of the furniture piece has to be smaller than the height of the door or passage, or it won't fit through. Keep all communication on the sales platform itself, so you have evidence if a dispute comes up.

What's worth buying used, and what's better new

Furniture without direct body contact, like wardrobes, shelves, dressers, and dining tables, can be bought used without hesitation, as long as you check it for stability and damage at pickup. For mattresses and bedding, buying new is usually the better choice for hygiene reasons. Kitchen appliances can be bought used, but should be briefly tested before purchase, for example checking whether a fridge or stove actually works.

What to sort out before buying furniture

Before any purchase, it pays to measure your space precisely and make a list of what you actually need. If you get the bed, table, chairs, and kitchen setup first, you can add everything else gradually as suitable used listings come up. This order prevents you from running out of budget for the essentials by the end of the month.

How your lease affects furniture planning

Kaltmiete and Nebenkosten determine how much you have left each month for furnishing, especially in the first few months after moving in. If you've already planned for the deposit under Section 551 BGB, which can be at most three times the Kaltmiete, you can spread your remaining budget more realistically across furniture purchases instead of buying everything new at once. Our first apartment cost guide walks through the full one-time and ongoing cost picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to buy furniture through Kleinanzeigen?

Yes, as long as you follow basic safety rules: cash payment on pickup, confirming payment before shipping, and keeping communication on the platform.

Which furniture should I buy new instead of used?

Mattresses and bedding should be bought new for hygiene reasons. Wardrobes, shelves, dressers, and dining tables can be bought used without concern.

What should I check when picking up used furniture?

Check the piece for stability and damage, compare the measurements against your floor plan, and bring help to carry it if needed.

How much can I save with used furniture compared to new?

The exact amount depends on the piece, but used wardrobes or shelves often cost only a fraction of the new price since they show little wear. Our furnishing costs guide has a full worked example with real prices.