8 Essential Facebook Marketplace Tips for Sourcing Vintage Gems – From a Style Editor Who Can Count on One Hand How Many Items in Her Home Are New

When I first started renovating my home, I quickly realized that I needed to find ways to stretch my budget further. And not only do I have designer taste on thrift store budget, I also didn't want to fill my home with brand-new things that had no personality.

Three years down the line, I could count on one hand how many items are new in my home – the rest has been sourced from Facebook Marketplace. What began as a budget-friendly necessity soon became an obsession for decorating with vintage and thrifted furniture.

After years of trawling listings and slow decorating almost every room in my home this way, I’ve picked up a few tricks worth sharing. Here are my tried-and-true tips for shopping Facebook Marketplace like a Style Editor.

A Style Editor's Best Facebook Marketplace Tips

Sure, it's not the fastest way of furnishing a home, but for me, decorating this way has made my home feel layered and lived-in with pieces that tell a story of old (and "$20 off Facebook!") and has allowed me to create spaces that live up to my Pinterest board, without the hefty bill.

You'd be surprised at what unexpected secondhand pieces I've found on there. From marble fireplaces, to rugs, tables, mirrors, a Rangemaster oven, and even my entire bathroom suite (yes including the toilet) – if you look hard enough and are open to upcycling and a deep clean, you'll find it.

Beyond the thrill of the hunt, there are so many reasons I keep coming back to Facebook Marketplace. For one, it’s the easiest way to find pieces no one else will have – furniture with character and patina that you can't replicate with flat-pack delivery.

Then there’s the practical side. Decorating a home, especially during a renovation, is expensive, and sourcing secondhand lets me stretch my budget without sacrificing style. I can invest in quality materials and brands at a fraction of the original price, all while keeping perfectly good pieces out of landfill. It’s sustainable, satisfying, and genuinely addictive.

1. Commit to the Hunt

Treat Facebook Marketplace as your new favorite social media. I'm talking: wake up scroll, coffee break scroll, lunchtime scroll, after work on the sofa scroll, and the most important: bedtime scroll.

The best bits get snapped up super quickly, and nothing will haunt you more than a "Sorry it's sold" message on a piece that you've already envisioned working perfectly in your space. Just like you'd consider posting to Instagram when people are mostly online (first thing in the morning, commuting hours, weekends, and last thing at night), have a quick look on Facebook at these hours too, as this is most likely the time when people will upload to Marketplace.

If you check in regularly, you're more likely to find items as they get uploaded and before someone else snaps it up.

2. Be Willing to Travel

Granted, some of my best finds have been within a 30-minute radius of my home, but I have also been known to travel far and wide for something I absolutely cannot miss out on.

You, of course, want to weigh up your time and travel costs vs the item. Is it a rare enough find OR a bargain enough to warrant a 4-hour round-trip and a potential van rental cost? If not, maybe it's worth waiting for another piece.

Because my home is so full of Facebook finds, it's hard for me to pinpoint the greatest buy, but at the top of the list is our navy living room couch. It's a Maker & Son sofa that was handmade in England and retails at around $10,000 that I found on Facebook for just $1,500. The seller had someone interested in viewing it in three days' time, so I told him we'd be there that evening, rented a van, and convinced my husband to drive us three hours to collect it. It's like sitting on a cloud and has elevated the living room way beyond anything our budget could stretch to.

3. If You Can't Travel, Use a Shipping Service

If you don't have the time or means to travel hours for an item, you can always ask the seller to post it out (if it's small enough) and negotiate sending the money securely online, or for larger items, look at couriers.

Several courier and on-demand services specialize in picking up Facebook Marketplace items, including Lugg, Dolly, and Shiply. These companies provide on-demand or scheduled same-day delivery for large items like furniture, and you can book a pickup and delivery directly through their apps or websites.

This obviously bumps the price of the item up quite a lot, so you have to ask yourself if it’s still worth it or not before going down this route.

4. Save Things You Aren't Buying

Hear me out on this one. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but Facebook Marketplace works on an algorithm just like other social media feeds.

So, if you're looking for a new armchair for your living room and you've found one you like the shape of, but the dimensions don't work – bookmark it. The more items similar to what you're looking for you click on or save, the more it will show you.

This also goes for budget; if something's totally unaffordable to you but you LOVE it, save it. If it's a maybe, or an "I wish", let Facebook know that's what you're looking for so it can serve you more of the same that might be cheaper, closer to home, or fit exactly right.

5. Check Listings in New Areas

If you travel for work, to visit family, or are heading off on a staycation, be sure to change your search radius on Facebook and check out the listings in the local area you're currently in.

This way, you're unlocking a totally new marketplace full of new sellers and items that you might've missed out on due to your previous search radius.

And you were going there anyway, so you might as well come back with some treasures in the trunk, too. On that note, if you’ve found something and are planning on picking it up, always check what other items the seller is listing too. You never know, they might have great taste and are doing a huge clear-out!

6. Learn Your Keywords

When I first started using Facebook Marketplace, I’d type in something vague like “vintage dresser” and instantly feel overwhelmed by hundreds of listings – most of which weren’t remotely my style or budget. I quickly learned that being specific with search terms makes all the difference.

This might sound really obvious, but get to know your interior design style really well. For example, if you're looking for pieces to fill your dining room and love a mid-century vibe, don't start by searching "wooden table" and instead try adding more specific buzzwords to your search like: "mid-century", "Ercol" and "teak".

That being said, sometimes small keywords work great if you're looking for particular brands or designers. You never know what a quick search for "Serena and Lily" or "Martha Stewart" might bring up.

Top tip: You can save searches and turn on alerts for terms so you’re notified the moment something new is listed.

7. Get to Know the Signs of Quality

Facebook Marketplace listings are rarely beautifully styled or professionally lit – and that’s half the fun. The best pieces often hide behind blurry photos or vague descriptions, so I’ve learned to read between the lines.

Try zooming in on the edges of drawers, the legs of chairs, or the underside of tables to look for solid wood, dovetail joints, or any tell-tale signs of craftsmanship. And if something looks promising but I’m unsure, I always message the seller for more details.

People are usually happy to send extra photos, and you can tell a lot about how a piece has been cared for from their response.

8. Master the Etiquette

We all know that good manners go a long way. So always start with a polite, concise message – something simple like “Hi! I love this piece, is it still available?” rather than an immediate lowball offer. If the item is still available, I’ll then follow up with a specific question about size, condition, or collection details to show I’m serious.

When it comes to negotiating, timing and tone are everything. If the listing’s been up for a while, I might ask, “Would you consider taking X for it?” instead of making a blunt offer and be sure to let them know when you're able to collect too.

Pickups are where you can really make or break the experience. I always confirm the address and time clearly, bring cash in exact change, and try my best to arrive when I say I will. It sounds obvious, but being reliable and kind builds goodwill, and I’ve even had sellers message me later with other pieces before listing them publicly.

It’s also worth being practical: measure your car, bring blankets or straps, and don’t be afraid to rope in a friend for heavy items.

I don't think it's an exaggeration to claim that Facebook Marketplace has completely reshaped how I shop. Now, if I'm after an item for my home, I check if Facebook has anything to offer me before I head to the shops. In the same sense, I check Vinted before shopping for pieces for my wardrobe. It's cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and helps me to really consider if I really need or want an item before making a purchase.

It’s made me slower, more intentional, and far more appreciative of pieces with a story. And who knows? The next time you scroll through Marketplace, you might just find your dream piece. If you’re wondering how to strike the right balance between old and new, you might enjoy our guide on how much of a room should be vintage.