Why selling your used furniture in 2025 is more relevant than ever
We all tend to hoard things. Often, it's during a moving that we realize the extent of the used furniture and items that we could part with. Good news: in 2025, selling your used furniture in French-speaking Switzerland has never been so popular and easy! Driven by ecological and economic concerns, the second-hand market has exploded in recent years. The French-speaking Swiss, formerly more reserved, are massively adopting this practice, aware that it allows them to earn money, declutter its interior and do something for the planet by avoiding waste.
This complete 2025 guide gives you all the strategies and tips for sell your used furniture quickly online, whether via Facebook Marketplace, Anibis, Ricardo or Tutti.ch. We will cover current trends, how to set the right price, optimize your ads, and what to do if the sale proves difficult, in particular thanks to solutions from valuation and of storage room offered by experts like Recyclage Express.
The second-hand boom in French-speaking Switzerland (Trends 2025)
Switzerland is one of the European countries where online sales of second-hand items by individuals are most developed. The figures confirm this: platforms like Ricardo have over 1.5 million active users, with millions of items exchanged each year. In 2023, 71% of the items sold on Ricardo were second-hand, a clear increase reflecting a shift in mentality.
Why this craze? While the economic aspect remains an important driving force (buying second-hand is cheaper), the ecological dimension has become essential. Faced with the nearly 700 kg of waste produced per capita per year in Switzerland, give a second life to objects is seen as a concrete solution to reduce our impact. Selling or buying second-hand allows us to avoid considerable CO₂ emissions (estimated at 162,000 tonnes avoided in 2023 just through Ricardo compared to new purchases).
In addition, the second hand has become a trend, especially among young people (16-35 years old), who enjoy the pleasure of hunting for unique pieces and upcycling. Even major retailers like IKEA are getting in on the act with furniture buyback programs. The national Secondhand Day, organized every year, aims to encourage this sustainable practice.
Where to sell your used furniture online in 2025? (Key Platforms)
In French-speaking Switzerland, several platforms dominate the market. online resale between individuals. Here are the essentials in 2025:
- Facebook Marketplace: Integrated into the social network, it's the simplest and fastest solution for free local listings. Ideal for bulky furniture that requires local pickup. Its huge user base ensures high visibility. Communication takes place via Messenger. Cons: Requires a Facebook account, no integrated payment/delivery, and vigilance against scams.
- Anibis.ch: The largest general classifieds site in Switzerland, a true institution. Free (paid options available), it offers a very wide selection and precise filters. This is often where you'll find more specific or rare items. Disadvantages: transactions and logistics must be organized yourself, and beware of phishing attempts.
- Ricardo.ch: The historic Swiss online auction platform also offers fixed-price sales. Its strengths include a national community, a secure payment and valuation system, and postal delivery options. Ideal for maximizing the price of valuable items or reaching all of Switzerland. Constraint: commission on sales (~9%). Consider writing your ad in French and German for maximum reach.
- Tutti.ch: Classified ads site free, very popular and easy to use. Works similarly to Anibis (over-the-counter). Perfect for quickly clearing out current business without fees, especially locally. No auction options or integrated payment.
These last three platforms (Anibis, Ricardo, Tutti) are part of the Swiss Marketplace Group, pooling their strengths against Facebook.
Advice : Don't hesitate to publish your ad on several sites (e.g. Facebook + Anibis) to reach a wider audience.
Expert tips for a successful second-hand furniture sale
Selling furniture online requires a bit of planning. Here are our updated tips for 2025:
1. Define the right price and timing
- Timing: Summer (June-September) is peak moving season in Switzerland, and therefore a good time to sell. Plan ahead!
- Realistic Price: Forget sentimental value. For estimate the value of your furniture, search for similar items on the platforms. Take into account the condition (a near-new item can be worth ~50% of new, a used one much less), the brand, and the size (the bigger it is, the more attractive the price should be).
- Strategy : If you're in a hurry, set your price slightly below market value. If you have time, start a little higher and gradually lower it if necessary. Don't be too quick to haggle if the item generates interest. For an expert appraisal of valuable items, auctioneer websites can offer appraisals.
2. Take care of the photos: your visual showcase
- Quality Above All: Bright, sharp photos taken from multiple angles (front, back, sides, details) are crucial. Use daylight and a neutral background.
- Visual Honesty: Clearly show any defects (scratches, stains). Transparency inspires confidence.
- Staging: Present the piece of furniture in a pleasant context (cushions on a sofa, vase on a table) to help the buyer visualize it, but without hiding the essentials. Give an idea of the scale if possible. Clean the piece of furniture before photographing it!
3. Write a complete and honest description
- Key Information: Be sure to include: type of furniture, exact dimensions (L x W x H), materials, color, brand/model (if known), and precise general condition. These details also help search engines.
- Transparency: Honestly describe the defects (see point 7 of the old article). An informed buyer is a satisfied buyer.
- Storytelling (Optional): Briefly telling the story of the piece of furniture can add a human touch, but keep it factual. Include the replacement value if relevant. Attach a photo of the receipt if you have one.
- Clear Conditions: Specify whether it is to be collected on site, whether delivery is possible (and at what cost), and the payment methods accepted (Cash, TWINT, etc.).
4. Understand buyers and communicate effectively
- Buyer Profiles: Keep in mind the different motivations (bargain hunter, renovator, crush, reseller, collector). Adapt your approach if possible.
- Responsiveness & Politeness: Respond quickly (ideally within 24 hours) and courteously to messages, even to low offers (which you can politely decline).
- Scam Alert: Beware of suspicious messages (fake payment/delivery services, requests for overpayment). Favor cash/TWINT payments in person or secure systems on platforms like Ricardo. Never share sensitive banking information.
5. Choose the right platform and maximize visibility
- Multi-posting: Post on 2 or 3 platforms relevant to your type of furniture (eg: Facebook + Anibis for local, Ricardo for value/national).
- Local Groups: Use local Facebook groups for sales/swaps to reach a targeted and friendly audience. You can often share an Anibis link there. The Recyclage Express Facebook group is also a useful channel.
- Finalization: Arrange a clear delivery date. Ensure payment is received before the item is sold. Delete your listings once the sale is complete.
What if it doesn't sell? Alternatives: donation, clearance, and recovery
Despite your best efforts, your second-hand furniture isn't finding a buyer? There are several options available to you before thinking about taking it to the recycling center:
- The Gift: Associations like Caritas, Emmaüs, or the Red Cross in French-speaking Switzerland often collect furniture in good condition to redistribute them to people in need. Contact local branches to find out their terms and conditions.
- The Professional Clearance Service: If you have a lot of items to evacuate (following a moving, an inheritance, or to make space), call on a specialized company such as Express Recycling is an effective solution. They take care of emptying everything and sort.
- Clearance with Valorization: The most approach eco-responsible ! Recyclage Express, for example, doesn't just throw things away. Thanks to its platform Recycling Market, they strive to to value as many recovered items as possible. The concept is simple: the furniture and items in good condition are cleaned, photographed and put up for sale on the site. The profits can sometimes reduce the cost of your clearance service. It's a great way to give a second life to your belongings, even if you don't have the time or inclination to sell them yourself. You can even offer your own furniture as consignment store through their service. Find out who they are and their commitment. This solution combines the practicality of storage room and the ecological and sometimes economic benefits of the resaleIn particular, they offer a specific furniture clearance service.
Innovations facilitating the second life of furniture
The sector is innovating to simplify the resale and the recycling :
- Specialized Platforms: Sites like Recyclage Market offer a more professional second-hand buying/selling experience (verified products, warranty, discounted prices).
- Adapted Delivery Services: Transportation is a major obstacle. Companies like Recyclage Express offer fast delivery of bulky items purchased second-hand in French-speaking Switzerland, facilitating transactions between individuals.
- Brand Commitment: Buyback programs (e.g. IKEA) and the emergence of upcycling (creative renovation) show a growing appreciation of second-hand goods. Learn to better sorting to better recycle also becomes a key skill.
- Eco-design: Some manufacturers are now thinking about the durability and resale value of their furniture.
Conclusion: Giving a second life in 2025, a simple and virtuous gesture
In 2025, selling used furniture in French-speaking Switzerland is more accessible and relevant than ever. Whether for economic, ecological, or simply for... declutter your space before a move, the online platforms and tips in this guide will help you succeed.
And if direct sales aren't your cup of tea or prove unsuccessful, there are solutions to give your belongings a second life. Donating to charities or using professional clearance services. eco-responsible like those offered by Express Recycling and Recyclage Market are excellent alternatives. Don't hesitate to ask for a free quote for your clearanceParticipating in the circular economy is a positive step for your wallet and the planet. Happy selling or recycling!
