If there’s one city that punches above its weight when it comes to second-hand furniture shopping, it’s Christchurch. The Garden City has a wide range of boutique, carefully curated vintage stores perfect for finding a rare treasure for your home, as well as good old-fashioned op-shops if you’re more into snagging a bargain.
We’ve rounded up some of the best spots to browse for pre-loved treasures across the Christchurch region. Our guide will take you from the inner suburbs to the outer edges of the city and everywhere in between.
Christchurch is surprisingly sprawling. Despite a population of just 392,000, the city has low density and is spread out. While there are 28 bus lines servicing the city, getting around town rather than just into the CBD can be more difficult. When it comes to buying second-hand furniture in Christchurch, taking a car is faster and more convenient.
You’ll find many of these affordable stores nestled around Christchurch’s industrial suburbs, such as Woolston, Bromley, Halswell, and Sydenham.
These furniture stores all have great price points and are worth checking out if you’re looking for unique furniture in Christchurch on a budget.
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Haslwell Traders offers affordable, quality second-hand furniture. Specialising in estate clearances, home clearouts, pre-loved household furniture and items, lounge suits, bedroom furniture, dining sets and office furniture removal, you’ll find everything you need to furnish your new home or office.
What’s more, they offer free quotes and flexible pick-up options across Christchurch. Although their store is only open four hours a week, you can explore everything they have in stock online or give them a call and arrange an in-person viewing at a time that suits you.
Address: 5C Validation Place, Christchurch
Phone: Karen at 027 424 8634
Opening hours: Saturday from 10 am – 12 pm | Tuesday & Thursday from 11 am – 1 pm. Viewings are also available by appointment.
Image source: Selwyn Traders Facebook
Although on the pricier side of affordable with furniture ranging from NZ$50 to NZ$500, it’s the quality of furniture at Selwyn Dealers that means you’ll get more bang for your buck. From nearly-new white wear for just NZ$500 to quality wooden furniture for just NZ$250, your money will go a long way. What’s more, it’ll look brand new.
Selwyn Dealers is an online store, which means you can browse at your own pace. You can either pick up your chosen items or get them delivered. They offer free quotes, as well as Buy and Afterpay payment options. Plus, if you’re moving or need help selling items from an estate, they do that too.
Online presence only
Phone Karen at 027 424 8634
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If you’re into shopping and saving the planet, then you need to head down to EcoCentral. The list of what you’ll find inside is vast. From second-hand furniture, antiques and collectables to recycled building supplies, garden tools and sports equipment, you’ll find everything for building, furnishing and kitting out your home.
EcoCentral aims to maximise the lifespan of all products and materials sent their way. You’ll find products in a range of conditions from well-used and need of a bit of TLC to good quality—it’s all about the hunt. You can check them out in-store or peruse furniture online on their TradeMe shop. What’s more, they offer estate and clear-out services for when you need them, encouraging recycling efforts.
Location: 191 Blenheim Road, Riccarton
Phone: 03 941 7513
Opening hours: Daily from 9 am – 5 pm
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If you’re a lover of all things kitsch, quirky, retro and quaint then you have to check out Seaside Vintage. Located right near Brighton Beach, the store is packed with retro treasures from the 50s, 60s and 70s as well as the odd piece of mid-century furniture. Their stock is in immaculate condition. Shopping here will make you feel like you’re taking home a brand-new piece.
While they specialise in smaller pieces of furniture (think armchairs and small cabinets rather than lounge suites and dining tables) every piece has been carefully curated and will certainly bring a point of interest and some retro flair to your home.
Location: 105 Brighton Mall, New Brighton
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10 am – 5 pm | Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm
If you’re looking for something a bit more high-end, these vintage, retro and antique stores have got you covered. You’ll find high-quality furniture that is well-curated and well-restored.
Image source: TradeMe
Rocketnut is an online second-hand furniture store that specialises in antiques, house lots and good quality pieces. You’ll find their prices are a little higher than most second-hand stores, but with brands like Nood, Pottery Barn and La-Z-Boy amongst their pieces, you can be sure that quality is reflected in the price.
You can find plenty of quality wooden pieces in stock, as well as recliners and comfortable armchairs. Their TradeMe store offers AfterPay and Ping to make splashing out on a quality piece of second-hand furniture that little bit easier. While most of their furniture is contemporary or American modern, you’ll find the occasional midcentury sideboard or armchair among their offerings.
Online presence only. Find Rocktnut on TradeMe
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The Woolston Emporium is a vintage and second-hand antique store located in the trendy suburb of Woolston. Situated in a large warehouse, the store is finely curated, yet chock-a-block filled with second-hand furniture, vintage clothing and treasures from a bygone era.
They’re the perfect place to visit if you’re looking to add a vintage touch to your home. Check them out for mirrors, vintage suitcases, antique chairs, sewing tables and buffet tables.
Location: 200 Ensors Road, Woolston
Phone: 03 366 6867
Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm
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If you prefer your antique shopping to be more curated and less cluttered, Haunt may be the place for you. Their carefully collected antique furniture and objects are displayed in a gallery-like setting, allowing you to get a real sense of how each piece fits into a modern setting.
Specialists in French 19th and 20th-century furniture, you’ll find everything from traditional French cafe chairs to tables, mirrors and ornamental pieces that are perfect for bringing a little French whimsy to your home.
Location: 180 Coleridge St, Sydenham
Phone: 021 328 896
Opening hours: Saturdays from 11 am – 4 pm, or by arrangement
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If it’s stuff you’re after, Stuff Woolston has you covered. More specifically, you’ll find retro furniture, vintage kitchenware, mid-century couches and armchairs as well as plenty of eclectic and downright wacky furniture and household items in store.
Their shop is light-filled, well-curated, spacious and easy to lose an afternoon in. Your biggest problem will be deciding which piece of furniture or household knick-knacks to bring home. Located on Ferry Road, you can always come back again.
Location: 646 Ferry Road, Woolston
Phone: 027 894 3108
Opening hours: Mondays from 9.30 am – 4.30 pm | Thursdays from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
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Whether your taste is inspired by the past or exotic destinations, Rullen & Rullen offers a wide range of second-hand furniture (as well as the odd new piece) for fans of mid-century, art deco, Indian and Italian furniture. You’ll find everything from hand-painted nightstands and wood-carved trunks from India to vintage and salvaged items.
Location: 1/180 Maces Road, Bromley
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Scored the perfect second-hand item, but are stuck as to how to get it home? Don’t worry. Wise Move is here to help. Getting your mid-century modern sofa or Louis XV cabinet home is easy. Wise Move brings together Christchurch’s most trusted and affordable movers into a single platform.
Whether you’ve got one item to use or a full bedroom suite, you can easily compare quotes, read reviews from other customers and book a moving company that suits your budget and your schedule.
Wise Move is a platform, where people find moving companies and independent movers. Our platform is the first of its kind in New Zealand, giving customers access to reliable, cost-effective and user-reviewed service providers with just a few short steps. Founded back in 2017, our focus has always been on making moving as simple and as effortless as possible for both customers and the professionals they rely on.
