Furniture Pieces In New York Apartments That Could Bring Profit
Living in New York often means dealing with small spaces and frequent moves. Many New Yorkers don’t realize their furniture could be worth more than they paid for it.
I’ve discovered that certain pieces hold or increase their value over time, especially in the competitive NYC market. Here’s my list of furniture items that might bring you unexpected profit when it’s time to sell or upgrade.
1. Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Original mid-century sofas from designers like Herman Miller or Knoll can fetch thousands more than their purchase price. I found my neighbor sold her authentic 1960s teak-framed sofa for triple what she paid ten years ago!
The clean lines and minimalist design of these pieces work perfectly in cramped Manhattan apartments while still maintaining their appeal to collectors. Many buyers specifically search for these iconic designs.
If you spot one at an estate sale or thrift store, grab it immediately. Even reproductions from quality manufacturers can increase in value, especially if well-maintained in a smoke-free home.
2. Convertible Murphy Beds
Custom-built Murphy beds solve the eternal NYC space problem while potentially adding value to your property. When I installed one in my studio, it transformed the functionality of my 400-square-foot apartment overnight.
High-quality wall beds with built-in storage or desk features command premium prices when you’re ready to move. The best part? You can take many models with you or sell them separately from the apartment.
Look for systems with solid wood construction and smooth mechanisms. Buyers willingly pay $1,500+ for well-maintained units that would cost $3,000-5,000 new, making them excellent investments for space-conscious city dwellers.
3. Vintage Industrial Storage
Metal filing cabinets, lockers, and factory carts from the early 20th century command surprising prices in Brooklyn and Manhattan. My friend scored an old dental cabinet at a Pennsylvania flea market for $75 that later sold for $1,200 to a Williamsburg boutique owner!
These sturdy pieces offer practical storage while adding authentic character to cookie-cutter apartments. The worn patina and history appeal to designers and homeowners alike.
Look for items with original hardware, smooth-operating drawers, and interesting details like brass labels or glass fronts. Even with some rust or wear, these industrial treasures can bring substantial profit when you’re ready to part with them.
4. Genuine Eames Lounge Chairs
Authentic Eames lounge chairs appreciate like fine wine in NYC’s design-conscious market. When my uncle purchased his in 1985, he never imagined it would become his most valuable furniture piece, now worth over five times his original investment.
The timeless combination of molded plywood and leather fits beautifully into any space, from pre-war apartments to modern high-rises. These chairs often sell within days when listed online in New York.
Documentation of authenticity dramatically increases value, so keep original paperwork if purchasing new. Even vintage models with some patina command premium prices, making these iconic chairs one of the safest furniture investments available to city dwellers.
5. Expandable Dining Tables
Quality expandable tables solve the entertainer’s dilemma in tight quarters while holding significant resale value. My Danish teak extending table has moved with me through three apartments, adapting perfectly to each space.
Dinner parties remain possible even in the smallest New York homes with these versatile pieces. Look for solid wood construction with smooth extension mechanisms and minimal wear on the finish.
Mid-century examples from Scandinavian designers command the highest prices, often selling for more than their original cost. Even contemporary models from quality manufacturers like Room & Board maintain 60-70% of their value when well-maintained, making them practical investments for both living and eventual resale.
6. Designer Lighting Fixtures
Statement lighting from recognized designers appreciates dramatically in New York’s style-conscious market. I watched my neighbor’s vintage Arco floor lamp sell for nearly triple its original price after just five years!
Unlike mass-produced fixtures, signature pieces from designers like Achille Castiglioni or Serge Mouille become more desirable with time. The best part? They’re relatively easy to transport when moving apartments.
Condition matters tremendously with lighting. Keep original packaging and documentation whenever possible, and maintain all components carefully. Even with NYC’s notoriously low ceilings, well-chosen pendant lights and sconces can transform spaces while functioning as investment pieces that appreciate rather than depreciate.
7. Custom Built-In Bookshelves
Thoughtfully designed built-ins can significantly increase your apartment’s value while providing essential storage. When I installed floor-to-ceiling shelving in my one-bedroom, it not only organized my book collection but became a major selling point three years later.
Custom shelving maximizes awkward alcoves and utilizes vertical space that would otherwise go wasted. The key is quality materials and craftsmanship that complement your apartment’s architectural style.
Unlike freestanding units, built-ins create an impression of permanence and luxury that buyers willingly pay premium prices to acquire. Even in rental units, landlords sometimes allow tenants to sell custom installations to incoming residents, creating unexpected profit opportunities when it’s time to move.
8. Restored Antique Dressers
Solid wood dressers from the 19th and early 20th centuries often sell for more than modern equivalents in New York’s vintage-loving neighborhoods. My Brooklyn Heights friend purchased a mahogany chest of drawers for $200 at an estate sale, restored it minimally, and sold it years later for $1,400!
These pieces offer practical storage while adding character that new furniture can’t match. Look for dovetail joints, solid wood construction (even on drawer bottoms), and original hardware.
Avoid excessive refinishing, as patina adds value for serious buyers. Simple cleaning, drawer repair, and gentle waxing are usually sufficient to prepare these pieces for resale. In a city where storage comes at a premium, well-made antique dressers remain perpetually in demand.
9. Modular Sectional Sofas
High-quality modular sofas maintain excellent resale value in New York’s constantly shifting housing market. I’ve reconfigured my Italian sectional through three different apartment layouts, adapting perfectly to each space before selling it for 70% of its original price.
The ability to separate components makes moving through narrow hallways and tight stairwells significantly easier. Look for removable, washable covers and sturdy frame construction from established manufacturers.
Neutral fabrics in durable materials command the highest resale prices. While the initial investment might seem steep, quality sectionals from companies like B&B Italia, Ligne Roset, or even Room & Board maintain their value remarkably well, especially compared to disposable fast-furniture alternatives that New Yorkers quickly recognize as false economy.
10. Vintage Persian Rugs
Hand-knotted Persian and Turkish rugs typically appreciate rather than depreciate in New York’s high-end market. My friend’s grandmother’s Heriz rug, purchased in the 1960s for $600, recently appraised at over $9,000!
These versatile textiles work equally well in pre-war apartments and sleek modern spaces. The natural wool fibers actually improve with age, developing a patina that new rugs cannot replicate.
Look for hand-knotted construction (check the back), natural dyes, and minimal restoration. Even worn examples with some fading command strong prices if the foundation remains intact. Unlike mass-produced alternatives, these investment pieces often become family heirlooms while simultaneously functioning as liquid assets that can be sold quickly when needed.
11. Statement Wall Mirrors
Large decorative mirrors perform double duty in cramped New York spaces while maintaining excellent resale value. I purchased a gold sunburst mirror for $350 five years ago that recently sold for $600 after brightening two different apartments.
Beyond making rooms appear larger, statement mirrors serve as focal points that define a space. Vintage examples with unique frames or unusual shapes command the highest prices when resold.
Secure packaging is essential when moving these fragile investments. Keep original hardware and hanging mechanisms organized for the next owner. While contemporary mass-produced mirrors typically depreciate quickly, well-chosen vintage or artisan-crafted examples often sell for more than their purchase price, particularly in design-conscious neighborhoods like SoHo and the West Village.
12. Solid Wood Credenzas
Mid-century credenzas and sideboards maintain remarkable value in New York’s space-conscious real estate landscape. When my friend moved abroad, her walnut Danish credenza sold within hours for $800 more than she paid three years earlier!
These versatile pieces function as media centers, dining storage, or workspace in adaptable city apartments. The horizontal profile maximizes function without overwhelming small rooms.
Look for solid construction, smooth-gliding drawers, and minimal veneer damage when purchasing. Pieces from recognized designers command the highest resale prices, but even unmarked quality examples appreciate when properly maintained. In a city where storage space comes at an absolute premium, these functional art pieces remain perpetually in demand.
13. Architect-Designed Desk Chairs
High-performance ergonomic chairs from designers like Herman Miller retain extraordinary value in a city of home offices. My neighbor’s authentic Aeron chair purchased in 2010 sold for just $200 less than its original price after a decade of daily use!
The work-from-home revolution has only increased demand for these ergonomic marvels. Look for chairs with adjustable features, breathable materials, and proper lumbar support.
Keep all adjustment mechanisms in working order and clean regularly to maintain value. While initial prices may cause sticker shock, quality office chairs from established manufacturers represent smart investments in both physical health and financial return. Unlike disposable office store alternatives, these engineered pieces often include 12+ year warranties and maintain resale value throughout their functional lives.
14. Articulated Floor Lamps
Adjustable architect lamps from European manufacturers maintain surprising resale value in New York’s design-conscious market. I’ve watched my friend’s Artemide Tolomeo lamp move through three apartments before selling for nearly its original purchase price!
The ability to direct light precisely makes these pieces ideal for NYC’s notoriously dark apartments. Their compact footprint works perfectly in tight spaces where every square inch matters.
Maintain all adjustment mechanisms and keep fixtures clean to preserve value. While mass-market lighting typically becomes worthless after purchase, signature pieces from designers like Richard Sapper, Achille Castiglioni, or Michele De Lucchi actually appreciate in certain neighborhoods. These functional sculptures combine practicality with investment potential in ways few other furniture pieces can match.
