Antique furniture shop
Open a small showroom selling antique furniture to walk-in shoppers, designers and collectors.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small shop or showroom stocked with antique furniture you source from auctions, house clearances and private sellers. Customers can see and test pieces in person, and you also list stock online.
Your first three steps
- Research shop rents and foot traffic in antique precincts or shopping strips and compare them with shared or booth space in an existing antique centre
- Build up stock of a focused range at auctions and estate sales before you sign a lease
- Register your ABN, check council requirements for the premises and arrange insurance
Who pays
Local shoppers, interior designers and stylists, collectors, and people furnishing period homes or rentals.
How it makes money
Margin on each piece sold, with extra income from restoration, delivery, commissions on consigned pieces or sourcing for clients.
Skills that help
- Knowledge of furniture periods and makers
- Buying and pricing stock
- Customer service and negotiation
- Basic restoration or a trusted restorer
Watch out for
- Rent and slow-moving stock tie up money, so check your cash flow before signing a lease
- Check council approval and signage rules for your premises
- Fakes, reproductions and hidden damage when buying
- Check state rules on second-hand dealers, which may include licensing or record keeping
- Public liability, stock and theft insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
- Heavy items create a risk of injury, so use safe lifting methods and equipment
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: antique furniture shop
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open an antique furniture shop?
Estimated startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your premises, the stock you buy and insurance. Rent and slow-moving stock tie up money, so check your cash flow before signing a lease.
How much can an antique furniture shop earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your stock, location and how many pieces you sell. Customers include local shoppers, designers, stylists and collectors, and you can also list stock online.
What rules should I check before opening an antique shop?
Check council approval and signage rules for your premises, and your state's second-hand dealer rules, which may include licensing or record keeping. Also check public liability, stock and theft insurance, workers compensation once you hire, and safe lifting methods for heavy items.
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