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- New survey reveals the types of second-hand items people buy to furnish their homes, why they choose pre-loved pieces, and the transport challenges they face.
- Nearly half (46%) of respondents say cost is the main reason they choose second-hand furniture over new, followed by sustainability and convenience.
- Respondents prefer in-person browsing in local charity shops (51%) over online platforms like Facebook Marketplace (40%) and eBay (38%).
- Second-hand shoppers travel an average of 16.4 miles to pick up their items, with almost one in five travelling over 20 miles.
With more places and platforms than ever to buy second-hand and the refurbished market growing by 17% each year[1], it’s no surprise more people are turning to cheaper, more sustainable ways to shop.
To find out how people are using second-hand shopping to furnish their homes, from what they’re buying and why, to how they’re getting it all home, temporary van insurance experts Tempcover surveyed 2,000 UK adults who’ve bought second-hand furniture[2].
Budget First: High Prices Drive Brits to Buy Second-Hand Furniture
The top reason people turn to second-hand furniture is because new furniture is too expensive, with 46% citing cost as their main motivation. But the appeal doesn’t stop there, it seems respondents felt it was also emotional, ethical, and practical. Nearly one in three say they buy second-hand to be more sustainable and reduce waste, a quarter prefer the quality of older furniture, and 24% enjoy finding something unique or vintage. Meanwhile, 23% want to support local charity shops, and 22% say it’s all about the thrill of the bargain hunt.
Sofas, Chest of Drawers & Coffee Tables Are The Most Purchased Second-Hand Items
When asked what second-hand items respondents have bought for their homes, sofas, armchairs, and other seating topped the list (43%). Close behind were chests of drawers and dressers (42%), followed by coffee and side tables (38%), showing that staple furniture pieces are top priorities when buying pre-loved.
| Item | % of Respondents Who Have Purchased the Item Second-hand |
| Sofa/armchair/seating | 43% |
| Chest of drawers/dressers | 42% |
| Coffee table/side tables | 38% |
| Dining table/dining chairs | 36% |
| Wardrobes/storage units | 34% |
| Kitchen appliances (e.g. fridge, oven, microwave) | 32% |
| Bookshelves | 32% |
| Desks/office furniture | 31% |
| Outdoor furniture/garden items | 30% |
| Wall art/full-length mirrors | 27% |
When it comes to where they shop, over half of respondents (51%) said they prefer to browse in person at local charity shops, making them the most popular destination for second-hand home finds. Online platforms are also playing a major role, with 40% using Facebook Marketplace and 38% turning to eBay to score second-hand bargains from the comfort of their sofa.
Transportation Poses a Barrier to Some Second-Hand Shoppers
On average, second-hand shoppers travel 16.4 miles to collect their items, with nearly one in five going more than 20 miles. When asked how they have previously transported their purchases home, the most common method was using their own car (62%), followed by borrowing a car or van from a friend or family member (18%). 17% carried the item themselves, nearly one in 10 used public transport, and 4% made the journey by bike.
But while people are clearly willing to go the distance for a second-hand find, transport remains a barrier. Over a third (35%) say they only buy items they know will fit in their vehicle, and 29% would buy more if transport were easier or cheaper. For some, the distance is too much. 26% have been put off by an item that was too far away, and 24% by something too large to get home.
Access to the right vehicle plays a big role, too. Nearly a quarter (23%) say they’d be more likely to buy second-hand if they had easier access to a van, and 15% have missed out on something they wanted because they couldn’t sort transport in time.
Despite this, awareness around transport solutions is still low. One in 10 didn’t know temporary van insurance was an option, and 6% have avoided borrowing a van because they weren’t sure how the insurance worked. Only 6% have used temporary van insurance to collect a second-hand item, highlighting just how few people are taking advantage of a flexible solution that could make second-hand shopping much easier.
Claire Wills-Mckissick, temporary van insurance expert at Tempcover, adds:
“It’s clear that transport is one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to buying second-hand furniture, whether it’s the size of the item, how far away it is, or simply not having the right vehicle. What’s surprising is how few people know that temporary van insurance is even an option. It’s a quick and flexible way to get access to the transport you need, whether you’re borrowing a van for an hour or a day. With more people turning to second-hand shopping for affordability and sustainability, we want to help make sure transport doesn’t stand in the way.”
