Second Hand Furniture in Kolkata

Old wood in the north, modern flats in the east

North and central Kolkata — Shyambazar, Bagbazar, Maniktala, Hatibagan, Bhowanipore and Ballygunge — is where genuinely well-made older furniture surfaces: almirahs, planter's chairs, writing tables, teak beds and dining sets from homes that have owned them for decades. Salt Lake, New Town, Rajarhat and the Sector V belt are the opposite end: two- to four-year-old beds, wardrobes, desks and compact sofas from rented flats. Behala, Tollygunge, Garia and Jadavpur sit in between with steady family turnover, and Howrah listings appear here too — worth checking the locality, because crossing the river adds real time.

Judging old furniture properly

• Tap the panels. Solid wood is dense and heavy; veneered board sounds hollow and is worth much less.
• Borer. Small round holes with fine powder beneath mean active borer. It is treatable, but it must be priced in.
• Drawers and runners. Old wooden runners should slide without dropping. Check that drawers have not been re-fitted with nails.
• Humidity damage. Check the back panel and base of anything that stood against an outside wall, and smell upholstery for mildew.
• The staircase. This is the one that catches people out. Narrow stairs and tight landings in older buildings defeat more Kolkata furniture deals than price does. Measure the turn, not just the width.

Selling furniture in Kolkata

Give exact dimensions — buyers here will ask, because of the staircases — say whether the piece dismantles, name your para and nearest Metro station, and photograph in daylight. Solid wood should be stated plainly: it is the main thing buyers are looking for. Read our guide to selling used furniture or post a free ad. See also furniture across India, home & garden in Kolkata and the rest of Kolkata listings.