Looking for a way to furnish your new home without spending a ton of money? Heading to one of the best furniture charity shops in London is a surefire way to save money and help out a worthy cause too. You can get second hand furniture in London from a number of different places, but furniture charity shops often have a particularly good range available.
Many furniture charity shops will collect donations for free, and many will also transport the furniture to you for a small fee. This makes them a very effective way to source used furniture at affordable prices. And likewise, if you’re not looking to sell your unwanted furniture, you might want to donate to one of these stores instead. Let’s get into it!
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1. British Heart Foundation
There are many British Heart Foundation furniture & electrical stores throughout London. All BHF furniture & electrical stores are a great size, with lots of affordable second hand pieces to browse. You can find almost everything you could possibly need to furnish your home- including soft furnishings and electricals such as lamps and televisions.
The prices for used furniture are excellent, and at some BHF branches you’ll also be able to get furniture delivered to your home for a fee. Perfect if, like many Londoners, you don’t own a car!
Locations include Old Kent Road, Brixton, Holloway, Wandsworth, Walthamstow and more. Find your nearest store here.
2. Red Cross
The British Red Cross have specialist furniture and electrical stores across the country, with one furniture store located in Fulham, south London.
Here you can find all kinds of furniture items, including white goods, electrical items and other household furnishings such as rugs and cushions. Everything is priced affordably, and you could definitely find some cheap furniture at any of their specialist stores.
If you’re able to go a little further afield, there are also dedicated Red Cross furniture and electrical stores in Redhill and East Grinstead. Find your nearest furniture store using there store finder here.
3. Emmaus
Emmaus is a social enterprise charity, and have dedicated second hand furniture charity shops across the country. In many cases, furniture is mended and upcycled by their dedicated staff who have previously experienced homelessness and or social exclusion. Emmaus provides their staff with meaningful work and a stable environment.
London locations include Brixton and Knight’s Hill, but for the biggest selection head to their Second Hand Furniture Superstore in West Norwood, open Monday-Saturday. You’ll find hard wood furniture, chairs, tables and more.
4 Beadman Street, West Norwood, London, SE27 0DN.
4. St Christopher’s
St Christopher’s is a chain of charity shops that has specialist furniture shops in London. Check out their store in Hayes, and a little further afield in Orpington. The stores stock a range of both modern and vintage furniture, bric a brac and electricals. The Hayes store also stocks brand new beds and mattresses at very affordable prices.
Although these stores are not in central London, if you live in the surrounding areas they might be a great way to snap up a second hand furniture bargain. It could certainly be worth the journey, especially if you have a way to transport the furniture yourself.
Hayes- 29 Station Approach, Hayes, Bromley BR2 7EB
Orpington- 153-155 Orpington High Street, Kent BR6 0LN
5. Spitalfields Crypt Trust
Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT) is a local charity based in East London. Their ‘Restoration Station‘ is a social enterprise where second hand furniture gets a new lease of life. SCT sell directly from their workshop, where people still in recovery learn woodwork and upholstery skills, and prices are very competitive.
Lots of the items at SCT are reclaimed vintage and retro furniture items, so this is a great place to go if you have a specific look in mind or specific tastes when it comes to furniture items.
SCT also take on private commissions and offer bespoke creations. If you’ve already got a furniture item in need of a revival, get in touch with SCT to see if they can help you to revamp it to it’s former glory.
385 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E2 0AN
6. Barnet Furniture Centre
One for those living north of the river, the Barnet Furniture Centre is something of a second hand furniture powerhouse! With a huge warehouse of affordable second hand furniture in abundance, it’s a must-visit for any Londoner looking for used furniture.
Barnet Furniture Centre is a non-profit, pioneering furniture reuse charity with a focus on community. Not only do they facilitate collection of unwanted furniture, but they can also deliver furniture to the local community for a fee.
Follow the furniture centre on Facebook or Instagram to see first-hand what delights they have for sale. Social media is updated regularly with photos of their newest and latest stock so follow along to avoid missing out!
4 Queens Parade Cl, London N11 3FY
7. Remar Furniture Store
Head to Bermondsey to find the Remar Furniture Store. Remar is a charity that works to fight against poverty and support marginalised people in the UK.
At this store you’ll find both practical and quirky second hand furniture with great-value prices. However, if you’re after something brand new, Remar also sells brand new mattresses, sofas and bedroom suites at affordable prices too. Open Monday – Sunday, you’ll be sure to find that unique piece of furniture you’ve been searching for.
243 Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, London, SE16 3TS
8. North London Hospice Furniture
Located in North Finchley, North London Hospice furniture shop is open 7 days a week. Again, a store full of pre-loved furniture at affordable prices, you’ll be getting a lovely piece of second hand furniture that’s both sustainable for the planet and your wallet.
The North London Hospice also has a High Barnet store which sells used furniture, and also accepts used furniture donations. Alongside the furniture at both locations you’ll also find bric a brac, crockery and small electrical goods. North London Hospice also has an ebay shop so you can browse their stock even if you’re located a little further afield.
North Finchley – 987 High Road, London, N12 8QR.
High Barnet – Unit 2, 120 High St, Chipping Barnet, Barnet EN5 5XQ
9. Princess Alice Hospice
Princess Alice Hospice has specialist furniture shops just outside of London in both Kingston and Walton-On-Thames. Many of their charity shops also have furniture within their general stores, however the selection is a little less extensive than at their specialist furniture shops.
You’ll find everything from second hand furniture and baby furniture, to cushions, eccentric furniture items, and also the super practical bric a brac too. If you’re looking to donate furniture, Princess Alice Hospice offer a helpful free collection service.
Kingston – 27 Old London Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6ND
Walton-On-Thames – Ground Floor, St Clements House, Church St, Walton-on-Thames KT12 2QN
10. Debra UK
Debra UK has over 100 stores nationwide, with several charity shops throughout London, some which also sell furniture and home furnishings. The stores in London are located in Greenwich, Croydon, and Wimbledon (Raynes Park).
Their dedicated furniture and electrical shop is based in Woolwich. You’ll find a large selection of sofas, and hard wood furniture such as wardrobes, drawers and cabinets. Debra UK also have a delivery service (the staff are even known to help you assemble the furniture in your home!). And if you want to get rid of some furniture? Debra UK also offer a free furniture collection service.
Woolwich – 17/23 Woolwich Road, London, SE10 0RA
11. Sue Ryder
The Golders Green branch of Sue Ryder is a particularly large charity shop in London. Although it’s not a furniture-specific charity shop, they do stock large items of furniture alongside other home electronics, soft furnishings, accessories and clothing. They stock ‘a huge range of furniture, for all budgets’ so you can be sure that you will find something affordable.
This particular charity shop also offers free furniture collection if you are looking to dispose of furniture in London, and they will also transport the furniture to your home for a fee (dependent on distance and the size of the furniture item).
99-101 Golders Green Road, Golders Green, London, NW11 8EN
12. Petit Miracles
Petit Miracles is a social enterprise charity that helps vulnerable adults gain practical skills and increase social opportunities. The charity is on a mission to boost employability, to support creative business and to protect our planet.
Located in Shepherd’s Bush, the market is open Tues-Sat, with the maker space also open during this time. You can check out furniture items online at their website ahead of time if you wish to. Pieces are upcycled and repaired, and often you can find beautiful retro and vintage pieces for very affordable prices.
West12 Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush Green, London W12 8PP
Top tips
- Make sure that you take a tape measure with you. The worst feeling is falling in love with an item of furniture, and being unsure of whether it will fit into your home. Measure your home before you go shopping to make sure the item fits.
- When shopping for second hand furniture, make sure you are aware of any flaws, damage and repairs required before you purchase.
- Make sure you have adequate transport lined up. Often the charity shop will offer delivery for a fee, but check with the charity to be sure.
- If you want to donate an item to one of the furniture charity shops in London, make sure it’s in good condition. The charity may request a photo of the item beforehand to check it is suitable. Be sure that any soft furniture items such as sofas and mattresses have a fire safety tag, otherwise it is not suitable for donation.