How to make $1,000 a month by flipping furniture

By Emma Dunn via SWNS

This woman turns "trash into treasure" by collecting unwanted furniture and flipping it. So far she's made $28k in two years.

Emily Marlett, 26, of Louisville, Kentucky, started upcycling cabinets, dressers and chairs in May 2020 after becoming unemployed.

She learned how to use power tools to create DIY pieces for her new home but started to sell the items after family encouragement a few months later.

Emily picks up trash for free on ‘bulk trash removal’ day – when people leave unwanted items outside their homes.

She also finds broken furniture in thrift stores and spends between four and 24 hours cleaning, fixing and revamping each piece.

She was able to go part-time with her dental hygienist job in May 2022 after starting to make around $1,000 a month selling the upcycled items on Facebook Marketplace.

Emily said: “I take trash and turn it into something beautiful.

“It’s crazy what people were throwing out.

“All it takes is a little bit of paint and sanding.

“You don’t have to be super creative to flip furniture.

“Everybody can do it.

“It’s so rewarding.”

Emily is able to get most of her furniture for free.

She said: “It’s stuff that goes to landfill if it’s not collected.

“People like me come and get it.

“Most things are damaged or broken.

“It’s pieces that no one wants.

“It’s rare you find something that is already beautiful.

“I give it a new life.

“Usually I will use a sander and a chemical to strip it to the natural color. I clean it really well.”

She will then get creative painting or adding textures and patterns such as bamboo or wallpaper.

Emily sells outdoor patio sets for around $900, upcycled leather chairs for about $250 each and dressers for about $350.

“People don’t expect a woman to be working with power tools," she said.

“People say, ‘Do you need help with that?'