Whether you enjoy hunting for second-hand furniture, or simply want to find pre-loved designs for the sake of your wallet and the planet, knowing where to look can be the key to your success.
The internet is, of course, full of places to buy second-hand furniture online. However, competition for the best pieces on Facebook Marketplace can be fierce. Sometimes, stumbling across a hidden gem in person can the best recourse—for price, quality and authenticity.
We’ve already curated our pick of places to shop second-hand furniture in Sydney—but what about our readers in Victoria? Scroll on to find some of the best op shops, boutiques, and markets for vintage and second hand furniture in Melbourne.
The best second hand furniture stores in Melbourne
Retropolis
Entering the colourful Preston warehouse is an immediate sensory trip. With 40 different vendors under one, very large roof (see: @retromania_melb, @ilovelucyvintage), you’ll find yourself idling away the hours in this psychedelic haven. From unique, one-off vintage furniture, to lighting, decor, kitchenwares and clothing, Retropolis caters to a range of aesthetics and eclectic tastes.
Website: retropolis.com.au
Opening times: 11am – 5pm, every day
Delivery: May vary between vendors
Location: 1 Newman St, Preston, Victoria 3072
Smith Street Bazaar
An emporium of fine vintage furniture, Smith St Bazaar is lovingly curated by the locally iconic Eryca Green and Eddy Opmanis. Specialising in European and Australian mid-century and modern design, Fitzroy’s oldest vintage design collective frequently showcases the work of lauded vintage furniture designers, from Gio Ponti to Australia’s Grant Featherston.
Website: smithstreetbazaar.com
Opening times: 10:30am-5pm, Monday to Saturday; 10:30am-4pm, Sunday
Delivery: Limited local delivery available, on a case-by-case basis
Location: 305 Smith St, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065
Green’s Furniture
A stalwart of the Melbourne furniture market, Green’s first began operating in 1960 under the capable hands of furniture maker, Billy Green. Since then, the store has been handed down to his son, Paul, who continues to stock a mix of hand-made and second-hand items at the Thornbury store.
Website: greensfurniture713.wixsite.com
Opening times: 12-5 pm, Monday to Friday; 11am-5pm, Saturday; 1-5pm, Sunday
Delivery: Yes, within Melbourne
Location: 713 High St, Thornbury, Victoria 3071
Retro Rehab
Staying in Thornbury, you can also schedule a visit to the Retro Rehab warehouse for the best mid-century seating around. If you’re looking for hands-on assistance, especially if you’re restoring vintage furniture in Melbourne, this could be your solution. The bulk of Retro Rehab’s operations happen online, but you can pop in to view pieces in store on a Saturday.
Website: retrorehab.com
Opening times: 11-2, Saturday; By appointment, Monday to Friday
Delivery: Yes
Location: 350 St Georges Road, Thornbury, Victoria 3071
Grays Affordable Quality Objects
This family business has been operating since the 1880s. However, for the past 30 years, they’ve been set up in South Melbourne, welcoming the local community into their passion project. Grays operates on consignment, selling a curated selection of second-hand furniture, books, rugs and homewares for reasonable prices.
Website: grays303.com
Opening times: 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Saturday; 1-3pm, Sunday to Monday
Delivery: Yes, enquire with the team for custom delivery options
Location: 303 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205
The Secondhand Man
The Secondhand Man loves second hand furniture as much as you do. The large Preston-based warehouse stocks a range of pieces, at a range of prices, including couches, tables, armchairs and decor. As well as second-hand furniture and vintage pieces, The Secondhand Man also occasionally has ex-display pieces up for grabs.
Website: thesecondhandman.com.au
Opening times: 10:30am-4:30pm, Friday and Monday; 10am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Delivery: Enquire
Location: 252 Plenty Road, Preston, Victoria 3072
Waverley Antique Bazaar
Another aggregator of vintage wares, you can get lost in a world of anything and everything at Waverley Antique Bazaar. While second hand furniture can be found around every corner, so can house plants, records, homewares, decor, clothing and more. Affordable prices can make this market worth the rummage.
Website: Instagram @waverleyantiquebazaar (website under construction)
Opening times: 10am-5pm, every day
Delivery: Enquire
Location: 88 Garden Rd, Clayton, Victoria 3171
The best affordable second hand furniture stores in Melbourne
Recyclers Depot
An excellent source of affordable second-hand furniture, at Recyclers Depot, you can get a couch for as little as $10. Quality second-hand furniture will fetch a higher price (such as new-condition Koala dining tables or vintage designer coffee tables), however, there are plenty of bargains to be found. You can stop by the warehouse when it’s open, or you can browse the online store on Facebook Marketplace to get an idea of the stock and price point.
Website: Recyclersdepot.com.au ; Facebook Marketplace
Opening times: 10am-5pm, Thursday; 10am-2pm, Saturday; 10am-1pm, Sunday
Delivery: No, collection only
Location: 43 Winterton Rd, Clayton, Victoria 3168
Op shops
If you’re really trying to find affordable second hand furniture, you can’t go past an op shop. Fortunately, Melbourne has no shortage of op shops and charity stores through which you can rummage for furniture and decor. You can try your luck and virtually any Savers or Salvos, and (fingers crossed) find a gem. However, there are some locales that have especially big spaces, better suited for larger furniture instead of decor. Consider these the best op shops for furniture in Melbourne:
- Vinnies, Moorabbin: 261-263 Wickham Rd, Moorabbin, VIC 3189
- Savers, Brunswick: 330 Sydney Road, Brunswick, VIC, 3056
- Savers, Heatherton: Moorabbin Super Centre, 430 Warrigal Road Suite 4 & 5, Heatherton, VIC, 3202
- Savers, Greensborough: Shop 7, 108-114 Main St, Greensborough, VIC, 3088
- Salvos, Moorabbin: Kingston Central Plaza, Shop 6B/288 Centre Dandenong Rd, Moorabbin, VIC 3194
- Helping Hands Airport West: 14 McIntosh St, Airport West, VIC 3042
Find locations near you: Savers; Vinnies, Salvos, Sacred Heart Mission, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Helping Hands
