When I’m browsing secondhand online, I often go super broad. Searches like “old chair,” for instance, have turned up some incredible finds for me on Facebook Marketplace over the years.
But broad searches are crowded, and the bulk of the results are usually mediocre. You have to scroll through a lot of noise before you find anything interesting.
When I’m in the mood for something great, I tend to do the opposite. I keep a running list of very specific search terms tied to particular objects or design niches — the kinds of things most people wouldn’t think to type in — and I run those searches again and again.
It’s one of the easiest ways to surface pieces that feel a little more special.
I often start by browsing Etsy or eBay, just to see what turns up.
I’ve shared some of my go-to search terms in the past, but I want to get better about rounding up the niche keywords I use every month. Consider this the first installment.
Today’s list includes a few searches that consistently turn up interesting lighting, jewelry, and small sculptural objects.
