2023
Trend Report
“Trends come and go, but great furniture has many lives.”
“Nine years ago, I created Kaiyo to make buying and selling pre-loved furniture convenient and better for the planet. In the years since, it’s been exciting to see retailers and consumers embrace resale, first in fashion and now across a wide range of verticals. Still, recent inflation and economic fears have fueled a demand for less expensive options across the board, particularly in home decor, creating an influx of low-quality, mass-produced furniture that falls out of fashion as new trends arise.
While we love to see how style evolves, we at Kaiyo have always advocated for timeless designs that transcend trends — pieces made to stand the test of time. We believe that owning high-quality furniture does not have to break the bank, and passing on your furnishings when it’s time for a change can be hassle- and waste-free. Kaiyo and our customers are building a proud community of caretakers committed to rehoming quality furniture and extending its lives for years to come. We’re thrilled to share key insights that we’ve gathered from our customers and community over the past year.”
- The Industry At Large
- The Industry At Large
- The Industry At Large
- The Industry At Large
- The Industry At Large
Value vs. Impact
During the pandemic, people spent more time at home, which led to a surge in the popularity of secondhand furniture driven by industry-wide supply chain delays, a growingly eco-conscious consumer, and a need to save money. More recently, economic uncertainty has made customers more value-oriented, feeding the popularity of micro-trends on social media, many of which push inexpensive dupes — cheaply produced, lower-quality knockoffs of name brands.
While overconsumption might seem at an all-time high, climate-related weather events have consumers more mindful of the direct impact of their spending.
Separately, negative experiences with shoddy products popularized by trends have led to the rise of the deinfluencer — TikTokers, who discourage buying fast fashion and furniture because it generates waste and does not last. They are part of a larger community that seeks unique pieces with a story over mass-produced ones. Secondhand provides more value for less money, reduces landfill waste, and helps shape a one-of-a-kind aesthetic.
$58B
The projected size of the secondhand furniture market by 2030.
Source: OFF-THE-SHELF Second Hand Furniture Market Growth Trends Report
Kaiyo customers have saved over $50M on top furniture brands vs. buying brand new.
- Looking Back:
- Looking Back:
- Looking Back:
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- Looking Back:
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
The Best Brands to Sell
At Kaiyo, we are selective about what we take into our marketplace, which allows us to focus on those pieces most likely to be successfully rehomed. These trusted brands are in high demand and retained the most value in 2023.
1
West Elm
2
CB2
3
Article
4
TOV
5
Urban Outfitters
A Deeper Look at West Elm
West Elm retained more value than any other brand on Kaiyo in 2023, and these particular pieces proved to be the MVPs.
Brands That Increased in Value
Sellers opted for fresh, new brands like Dims & Thuma, classic #cottagecore prints from English-heritage Laura Ashley, and durable wooden pieces by Gothic Cabinet Craft.
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Dims
+40%
2
Laura Ashley
+36%
3
Thuma
+35%
4
Gothic Cabinet Craft
+33%
5
Organic Modernism
+30%
Selling Tips
- Take lots of pictures! Photos help us understand the item’s condition and determine if it’s a fit for our marketplace.
- Look for brand tags, maker’s marks, or signatures. These identifiers signal to potential buyers that your piece is the real deal and increase the likelihood that you’ll earn more.
- Tell us why each piece is special to you when you submit items on Kaiyo. These stories can be passed on to potential buyers looking for a furniture match.
- Looking Back:
- Looking Back:
- Looking Back:
- Looking Back:
- Looking Back:
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
The Most Admired Pieces
From a coral velvet sofa to multi-purpose dresser, these pieces were the most viewed by our shoppers.
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Article Abisko Sectional Sofa
2
Crate & Barrel Murphy Secretary Dresser Desk with Hutch
3
Anthropologie Mirren Reversible Sectional
4
Knoll Saarinen Tulip Round Dining Table
5
Jofran Mid-Century Modern Cabinet
The Most Unique Pieces
Original style is in, and shoppers are straying from mass-produced products to favor one-of-a-kind.
Arketipo “lol” Armchair
Bev Houlding Custom Six Panel Floor Screen
Contemporary Accent Chair
Canoe Coffee Table
Emilio Pucci Lamborghini Carpet
Modern Lux Tree Floor Lamp
Noir Spikey Credenza
One Kings Lane Root Chair
Chishen Chiu Extensible and Flexible Love Chair
Roche Bobois Iron Tree Cocktail Table
Sergio Rodrigues Brutalist Marbella-Style Bar Stools
Sonya Winner After Matisse Area Rug
Victorian Retro Loveseat
Chishen Chiu Extensible and Flexible Love Chair
Edra by Campana Brothers Leatherworks Arm Chair
1
Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional
$18K
2
The Rug Company by Paul Smith Carnival Area Rug
$14K
3
EJ Victor Regency Extendable Dining Table
$12K
4
Ralph Lauren Home Heiress Queen Bed
$15K
5
Restoration Hardware Maxwell Sectional Sofa
$10K
The Most Favorited Pieces
Unique shapes and velvety textures got a lot of love from shoppers this year.
Ernst Masi-Style Vintage Art Deco Coffee Table
Interior Define Jasper Daybed
Restoration Hardware Parisian Classic Slope Arm Swivel Chair
B&B Italia Marcel Chaise Sectional Sofa
Osvaldo Borsani-Style Mid-Century Sideboard
Shop These Styles For Less
These best-sellers from top brands bring significant savings and can be delivered in days on Kaiyo versus up to months if bought brand new.
CB2 Brace Sofa
Kaiyo Price: $820
Retail Price: $2,299
Retail delivery: 6-7 weeks
DWR Eames Lounge Chair
Kaiyo Price: $4,066
Retail Price: $7,995
Retail delivery 2-5 weeks
Restoration Hardware Cloud Sofa
Kaiyo Price: $3,287
Retail Price: $12,990
Retail delivery 14-15 weeks
Kaiyo delivery: 4 days to 2 weeks for customers in our white-glove delivery zone.
Top Searches by City
Kaiyo serves the greater New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and San Diego metro areas. Here’s what’s in demand in each market.
New York: Desks
Los Angeles: Dining Tables
San Diego: Cabinets
Washington, D.C.: Benches
Philadelphia: Beds
Baltimore: Couches
How Social Trends are Shaping Home Decor
For better and worse, social media has played a pivotal role in predicting and driving home-decor trends in recent years. These aesthetics, sometimes known as “cores” are commonly derived from pop culture, fashion, and even food. While some trends are too fleeting, we encourage you to participate in whatever style movement speaks to you as long as you are intentional about what you purchase and find a new home for these pieces when you’re ready for a reset.
“In the age of the personal digital brand, hyper-specific aesthetics reflect Gen-Z’s desire to define their style and find their community.”
— Grace Baena, Director of Branded Content, Kaiyo
Battle of the TikTok Trends
It’s undeniable that viral TikTok design movements had an impact on searches on Kaiyo. Here are the trends that rose above the rest.
Dopamine Decor
73.3M views on TikTok
#dopaminedecor
Read Our Blog Post
Quiet Luxury
276.7M views on TikTok
#dopaminedecor
Read Our Blog Post
Dopamine Decor vs. Quiet Luxury
While two of the year’s biggest trends may seem like opposites, both champion an eternal style. Dopamine Decor invites a carefree aesthetic with bold colors, unexpected shapes, and eclectic prints while Quiet Luxury is a more minimalist celebration of a natural look, with collected, vintage pieces from heritage brands known for their craftsmanship.
Dopamine Decor was propelled by the idea that home design should personally exhilarate you — your personal style is always in fashion. However, Quiet Luxury’s emphasis on mindful purchasing and timeless statement pieces has made it a more far-reaching trend.
Impact to Kaiyo Searches in 2023
Restoration Hardware #1 most-viewed brand
69% increase in searches for “Ralph Lauren”
177% increase in searches for “boucle”
Barbiecore
998.6M views on TikTok
#barbiecore
Read Our Blog Post
Mermaidcore
524.2M views on TikTok
#mermaidcore
Read Our Blog Post
Barbiecore vs. Mermaidcore
Born out of this year’s blockbuster releases, Barbiecore and Mermaidcore embody the feelings of comfort and nostalgia brought about by each film. Just as Barbie had the bigger box office, #barbiecore ultimately was the bigger trend.
Impact to Kaiyo Searches in 2023
73% increase in searches for “pink”
219% increase in searches for “scalloped”
109% increase in searches for “marble”
69% increase in searches for “teal”
Grandmillennial
47.7M views on TikTok
#grandmillennial
Read Our Blog Post
Coastal Grandmother
524.2M views on TikTok
#coastalgrandmother
Read Our Blog Post
Grandmillennial vs. Coastal Grandmother
Grandmillennial style — think skirted tables, patterned upholstery, and floral wallpaper — was all the rage in 2022, but this year, the look evolved to embody what’s known as Coastal Grandmother — an aesthetic rife with linen sofas, jute rugs, natural wood, and the breezy vibe of a Nancy Meyers movie. Slipcovers are a signature of the look, and we could hardly keep styles by Sundays and Sixpenny in stock.
Impact to Kaiyo Searches in 2023
4,346% increase in searches for “Sundays”
358% increase in searches for “Sixpenny”
126% increase in searches for “slipcover”
115% increase in searches for “jute”
108% increase in searches for “burl”
Clean Girl
5.6BM views on TikTok
#cleangirl
Read Our Blog Post
Weirdcore
5.7BM views on TikTok
#weirdcore
Read Our Blog Post
Clean Girl vs. Weirdcore
Maximalist #weirdcore style has replaced the minimal #cleangirl aesthetic. Boring monochromatic beiges and grays are out, and exciting prints and bold colors are in. Weirdcore breaks all the rules and celebrates individuality and playfulness by drawing from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s nostalgia and surrealism. Although both are equally popular on TikTok, more is more with Kaiyo customers based on increases in searches.
Impact to Kaiyo Searches in 2023
290% increase in searches for “postmodern”
182% increase in searches for “art deco”
194% increase in searches for “checkered”
171% increase in searches for “chrome”
119% increase in searches for “cheetah”
Vintage Decor
338M views on TikTok
#vintagedecor
Read Our Blog Post
Tomato Girl
22.6BM views on TikTok
#tomatogirl
Read Our Blog Post
Other Trends on the Rise
262% increase in searches for “vintage”
68% increase in searches for “red” since May
150% increase in searches for “rustic”
144% increase in searches for “italian”
The Power of Virality
All it takes is one lucky video to capture the magic of TikTok’s algorithm and get shared across a broader range of platforms.
Searches for Roche Bobois increased 91% and rose to our 11th most-viewed brand after this video of a woman finding the $8k Bubble Sofa on the sidewalk went viral.
- Looking Ahead:
- Looking Ahead:
- Looking Ahead:
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- Looking Ahead:
- What Next in 2024
- What Next in 2024
- What Next in 2024
- What Next in 2024
- What Next in 2024
Jason Saft
@jasonsaft of @stagedtosellhome
Jason Saft founded Staged To Sell Home, a leading boutique staging firm in New York City. He is the 2022 winner of The Best Luxury Home Stager award from The Real Estate Stager Association (RESA).
Jason’s innate ability to transform a space from what it is to what it should be has helped him achieve the highest return for his sellers. Whether a penthouse on Park Avenue or a brownstone in Brooklyn, his projects often feature multiple #kaiyofinds. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes Magazine.
Trend 1: Brand & Designer Collaborations
Photo Credit: Hayley Ellen Day
2023 saw designers partnering with some of the most well-known names in home decor to make their work more accessible to a mass audience. My favorite collaborations include Sarah Sherman Samuel for Lulu & Georgia, Athena Calderone and Jake Arnold for Crate & Barrel, as theirs were the most sophisticated and design-forward.
Trend 2: A Fresh Take on Postmodernism
Photo Credit: Francisco Rosario
Typically, when trends from the past have a resurgence, we see a lot of reissues of iconic pieces from that era. The return of postmodernism feels different because we see elements that call back to the late 70s and early 80s, such as biomorphic shapes and bold colors, but through a newer, more optimistic lens.
Trend 3: The Localization of Quiet Luxury
Photo Credit: Shannon Dupre
Ever since COVID, there has been a greater appreciation for makers. Custom pieces are highly coveted, and there’s a return to simplicity coupled with a consciousness for our local communities, particularly ways to reduce our carbon footprint.
Why do you shop secondhand?
“We live in a world where people use too much. In my home and business, I do whatever I can to retain as much as possible by giving it a new life or passing it on so that I’m not just throwing something into a landfill. As a parent, I am hyper-aware of the world we leave behind for our children.”
Watch Jason’s home tour
Photo Credit: Bre Furlong
Shannon Maldonado
Shannon Maldonado is the Founder and Creative Director of Yowie, a Philadelphia-based boutique hotel, shop, and design studio. Shannon looks to create an intersection between design and community, sourcing most pieces from local artists and friends. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Dwell, Apartment Therapy, Philadelphia Magazine, and more.
Trend 1: Chrome Heart
Photo Credit: Alicia Dubuis for Dezeen
Previously relegated to industrial settings, polished silver and unfinished aluminum feel fresh in softer settings. When paired with wood, tile, and even soft draperies or curtains, these metals create a new romanticism with an edge. I hope to see this style, which is blooming in restaurants and cafes, bleed into home decor and interiors.
Trend 2: Soft as Butter
Photo Credit: Laure Joliet for Domino
Yellow is a color that has previously felt too intense and is often used sparingly in interiors. I’ve always found it to be an optimistic color, and I’m excited to see softer shades and buttery hues getting their time in the sun. This hue feels sweet but bold when paired with dark chocolate browns and striking reds or burgundy.
Trend 3: Sweet Sweet Fantasy
With the news cycle constantly fueling our anxiety, there is a moment of surrealism, mythology, and fantasy that continues to permeate interiors and furniture. With a mix of curves, bold hues, and tongue-in cheek details, it’s helping us escape our reality, even if only for a moment.
Why are old things cool?
“Right now, there’s such a saturation of sameness and homogeneity in the market. When you find something vintage or reupholster or change something, you’re making it your own, and it becomes one-of-a-kind. I love that when you find something old, it becomes yours in a way that can’t be duplicated.”
Watch Shannon’s hotel tour
Kellie Brown
@itsmekellieb of @deeplymadlymodern
Kellie is a marketing maven turned content creator featured in Vogue, Architectural Digest, Good Morning America, and more. She helped change the landscape of inclusive fashion both behind the scenes and as a creator known for trend-setting style. Kellie has made significant waves in the world of interior design with the launch of Deeply Madly Modern and her YouTube series, Home Decor Homies – where she marries friendship and home decor with inspiration worthy home tours.
Trend 1: Aluminum Objects
Photo Credit: Sight Unseen
Chrome has been trending for a while, and we’ve seen many 1970s-style mirrored pieces, but the aluminum look is a fresh update. There have been many crushed aluminum installations and backdrops at events, and I think it will translate into 2-D art at home, light fixtures, and beyond.
Trend 2: Japanese Wabi Sabi
Photo Credit: Alex Ingram
I am a huge fan of Wabi Sabi elements. I think it’s a beautiful mash-up of what feels like minimalism meets postmodern design. You get the curved edges but in a pulled-back and refined way. One of my favorite up-and-coming brands is Sun at Six.
Trend 3: Dopamine Decor
Design Credit: Bells + Whistles | Photo Credit: Madeline Tolle
Dopamine Decor is something that will continue to trend. In times of uncertainty, seeking joy through design and in your personal spaces is a great outlet. It’s the “if it makes you happy” aesthetic.
Why do you shop secondhand?
“I always love the idea of found objects. I’m a Sagittarius and love to hunt. I’ve always been entertained by the process.”
Watch Kellie’s home tour
Photo Credit: Bre Furlong
Lale Boz
Lale Boz is an interior designer and founder of Normal, an interior design studio based in New York and Los Angeles. Vintage and secondhand sourcing is central to her business. Currently, she resides in Los Angeles, where she leads interior design projects, hosts large-scale estate sales, fosters intentional collaborations with local artists, and creates content for brands within the industry. Her design philosophy is designing with memories and emotions instead of short-term trends.
Trend 1: Maximalism That Speaks to Your Personality
Scandinavian- and Japanese-style interiors have taken over social media in the past couple of years, and they will always inspire us. However, maximalism allows self-expression where you feel the most yourself and your home, and I expect we’ll see more of it. Maximalism does not mean crowded or messy, but finding harmony between colors, patterns, textures, materials, and shapes to create a bold yet cozy space.
Trend 2: Longevity Over Trends
With the increasing prices in real estate, many are choosing to rent instead of buying. As a designer, I always believe that a good piece of furniture can outlive its space, collecting memories and creating a sense of belonging wherever you move in the future. We have an abundance of places to source secondhand pieces now, making it easier to find something durable and special within budget versus buying a knock-off, and with enough research, it’s not hard to find treasure.
Trend 3: Pastels Mixed with Darker Elements
Butter yellow and lavender are the new neutrals over the classic beige. They offer a grounding energy that’s joyful, bright, and different. I love the mixture of tonal elements in a space, particularly as a paint color or a backdrop, although bedding and textiles are another great way of working pastels into a room. Imagine a 70s-inspired interior filled with darker wood and pastel pinks to add softness and femininity.
Why are old things cool?
“What appeals to me is the messiness and imperfection that comes from years of sourcing to create “personality in a home. I love the beautiful energy of an old piece becoming a new piece and creating a bridge between the past and future within your present.”
Watch Lale’s Home Tour
- Impact On The planet
- Impact On The planet
- Impact On The planet
- Impact On The planet
- Impact On The planet
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
- Selling Furniture in 2022
Reducing our Impact
Furnish Forward
We believe in giving back and protecting the communities where we live and work. Forests help mitigate climate change’s effects and improve mental and public health through better air quality and increased shade. Kaiyo supports both local and nationwide organizations that plant and preserve trees.
5,664,961
Pounds of furniture kept out of landfills, thanks to you.
1 TREE PLANTED
For every completed order on Kaiyo with the National Forest Foundation.
$30,000
Donated by Kaiyo customers to increase tree equity in partnership with Trees New York.
The National Forest Foundation supports reforestation to maintain and promote the health of our national forests. Kaiyo plants one tree with them for every order completed on our site.
Trees New York works to increase tree equity in New York City. Neighborhoods with higher poverty rates have less tree canopy and can be up to 10 degrees hotter on a summer day. Everyone deserves clean air, beautiful city blocks, and cool shade. Our team participates in quarterly tree stewardship events, and sellers on Kaiyo can donate a portion of their earnings in support of Trees New York.
Average Emission Offsets
Sofas and Sectionals
~75 kg of CO2
Dressers
~43 kg of CO2
Accent Chairs
~75 kg of CO2
Bed Frames
~75 kg of CO2
Tables
~43 kg of CO2
Kaiyo is the most sustainable choice when furnishing.
Helping Brands Reduce Their Impact Through Recommerce
Just as top retailers such as Madewell, Patagonia, and Oscar de la Renta have begun to create resale platforms to allow them to participate in the secondhand market in a way that increases their revenue, reduces their costs, and improves their environmental footprint, Kaiyo supports leading furniture brands with their returns, overstock, and liquidated pieces to help meet their ESG goals.
“We offer a 100-day return policy to keep our customers 100% happy. It is essential for us as a company to keep returned products from being disposed of or ending up in landfills. Kaiyo is giving these pieces a home.”
– Dan Campbell, EVP of Business Development and President, BenchMade Modern
“Since our founding, Kaiyo has set out to create a beautiful world inside and out, one home at a time. Thank you to everyone who chooses secondhand first.”
– Alpay Koralturk, CEO and Founder