Forget Facebook Marketplace — IKEA's new tool for buying and selling second-hand furniture will launch in the UK 'later this year'

The Swedish furniture giant IKEA is set to launch a new platform for buying and selling second-hand furniture in the UK later this year, aiming to provide a more organized alternative to platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Gumtree. The "Second-hand Marketplace" will allow IKEA enthusiasts to trade pre-loved versions of IKEA products with one another.

While the service is already operational in seven countries including Sweden, Spain, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Poland, it is set to become available in the UK soon. The marketplace will be a free service with no listing or commission fees, though buyers will need to pay a 5% commission fee starting January 1, 2027, to cover payment and support costs.

To use the service, customers will need to be IKEA Family members, who enjoy discounts on food, delivery, and certain products. Unlike IKEA's existing Buy Back service, which only allows the return of IKEA products for in-store credit, the new marketplace will facilitate direct transactions between users. IKEA has confirmed that users can list any current or historic IKEA product, excluding food items, mattresses, and kitchen appliances.

All listed items must be in good working condition and genuine IKEA products, thus excluding the creations from the popular IKEA hacks subreddit. Payments will be released to sellers within 48 hours of the buyer confirming the item's acceptance. IKEA has not yet specified whether the marketplace will be accessible via its web platform or through the company's iOS and Android apps. They are expected to provide further details in the coming months.