How to Tell if Your Used Furniture is Actually Valuable

Not every piece of used office furniture has resale value, and knowing the difference can save both time and money. In the used office furniture liquidation market, value comes down to brand, condition, and current demand. At Michaels Global Trading (MGT), we regularly evaluate assets for clients to help them recover maximum value or make sustainable disposal choices.

• Brand, condition, and demand determine true resale potential
  
  
• Expert assessment prevents wasted effort on low-value pieces
  
  

Look at Brand and Build Quality

Commercial-grade brands such as Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Knoll hold value far longer than budget or flat-pack furniture. These pieces are built to last 10–15 years and remain in demand on the resale market. The global office furniture market was valued at over USD 58 billion in 2023, with premium brands continuing to lead resale categories.

• High-end brands typically retain value for years after purchase
  
  
• Budget or mass-market pieces depreciate quickly and are harder to resell
  
  

Assess the Condition

Furniture that looks almost new is more attractive to buyers. Scratches, stains, or broken parts drastically reduce resale appeal. A 2022 Circular Economy study found that 80% of second-hand furniture buyers prioritize condition over style or brand. This shows that even strong brands lose value if the item is in poor shape.

• Excellent condition greatly increases resale potential
  
  
• Damaged furniture is often best suited for donation or recycling
  
  

Gauge Market Demand

Even well-made items can be difficult to sell if they don’t align with current trends. Modern open-concept designs and ergonomic solutions are in high demand, while oversized cubicles or outdated desks often struggle. Professional used office furniture liquidation providers can help identify what’s trending and connect with the right buyers.

• Ergonomic and modular styles have higher resale demand
  
  
• Outdated or bulky furniture may only find value in recycling
  

Factor in Age and Functionality

Standard office furniture depreciates quickly after 5–7 years, but functional features like adjustable height or integrated power can extend an item’s usefulness. Some vintage or designer pieces may even gain value, but most older standard furniture does not.

• Modern features like adjustability boost resale appeal
  
  
• Older, standard models often lose most of their value

Used Office Furniture Value Checklist

Here’s a Used Office Furniture Value Checklist designed for businesses that want to quickly evaluate their assets before deciding on resale, donation, or disposal. I’ve also added a usability ranking system (1–5) to help you score each item’s resale potential.

Step 1: Brand & Manufacturer

• Known premium brands (Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth): Score 5/5
  
  
• Mid-tier commercial brands (Global, Teknion, HON): Score 3–4/5
  
  
• Flat-pack or budget brands (IKEA, Staples, no-name): Score 1–2/5
  
  

Step 2: Condition

• Like new, minimal wear: Score 5/5
  
  
• Light wear, fully functional: Score 4/5
  
  
• Visible scratches, stains, or partial damage: Score 2–3/5
  
  
• Broken, missing parts, or unsafe: Score 1/5
  
  

Step 3: Age of Item

• 0–3 years old: Score 5/5
  
  
• 4–7 years old: Score 3–4/5
  
  
• 8+ years old (unless vintage/designer): Score 1–2/5
  
  

Step 4: Style & Demand

• Modern ergonomic or modular (sit-stand desks, benching, task chairs): Score 5/5
  
  
• Standard office furniture (cubicles, conference tables): Score 3–4/5
  
  
• Bulky, outdated, or hard-to-place items: Score 1–2/5
  
  

Step 5: Functionality & Features

• Ergonomic, adjustable, integrated power/data: Score 5/5
  
  
• Basic but solidly functional: Score 3–4/5
  
  
• Limited function, outdated features: Score 1–2/5

Quick Recap

• Brand, condition, age, and demand all play a role in valuation.
  
  
• At MGT, our expertise helps businesses recover value through resale or donation while keeping unmarketable items out of landfills.
  
  

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