How to Identify Furniture Styles So Your Listings Get Found Online

(Facebook Marketplace, eBay & Etsy Guide for Furniture Flippers)

If you’ve ever listed a piece of furniture and thought, “Why isn’t this getting any views?” — the problem often isn’t the piece. It’s how it’s labeled.

Knowing how to correctly identify furniture styles — and use those terms in your listings — is one of the most powerful ways to get your furniture found in search on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Etsy. Buyers don’t search for “old dresser.” They search for mid-century modern dresser, French provincial nightstand, or farmhouse console table.

This post will teach you how to identify furniture styles with confidence and use search-friendly keywords that help your listings show up where buyers are already looking.

Why Furniture Style Identification Matters (Especially on Facebook Marketplace)

Facebook Marketplace is heavily keyword-driven. Unlike Etsy, which has strong category navigation, Facebook relies on:

• Listing titles

• Description keywords

• Recent buyer searches

If your style keywords aren’t present, your listing may never surface — even if it’s priced well and beautifully refinished.

Correct style identification helps you:

• Appear in more searches

• Attract the right buyer

• Justify higher prices

• Sell faster

How Buyers Actually Search for Furniture Online

Most buyers combine style + furniture type in their searches:

• “Mid century modern dresser”

• “Farmhouse coffee table”

• “French provincial nightstand”

• “Vintage boho cabinet”

Very few people search for:

• “Painted dresser”

• “Refinished wood furniture”

• “Cute cabinet”

Those details matter — but style is what gets the click.

How to Identify Furniture Styles (Step-by-Step)

You don’t need to be an expert — just consistent in what you look for.

1. Look at the Legs First

Legs are one of the fastest identifiers.

• Tapered legs: Mid-century modern, Scandinavian

Example from The Flip Side 865

• Cabriole legs (curved): French provincial, traditional

an additional description here could be “ornate”. The have claw feet vibes but not quite there.

Example provided by Ausha Revive Co of cabriole legs with spoonfeet.

• Turned legs: Farmhouse, traditional

These feet are “turned” and typical of classic furniture. You will see it in farmhouse designs as well. Thank you to Pear Tree Design for the example.

• Hairpin legs: MCM, industrial, modern

If the legs don’t match the style, the piece probably doesn’t either.

2. Study the Overall Shape & Lines

Ask yourself:

• Are the lines clean or ornate?

• Is the shape boxy or curved?

• Is it minimal or decorative?

Here is an example of an ornate, curvy and decorative piece of furniture. Thank you Flip Your Flops for the example.

Clean + simple usually points to modern or MCM.
Curves + detail usually point to traditional or French styles.

3. Check the Hardware

Hardware tells a story.

• Minimal or integrated pulls → MCM or modern

Notice the clean lines and how the pulls are a part of the drawers. Example provided by The Flip Side 865

• Decorative brass → Hollywood Regency or traditional

• Wooden knobs → Scandinavian or farmhouse

If hardware has been replaced, look at original drill holes.

4. Examine the Wood & Finish

• Walnut & teak → common in MCM

• Oak → traditional, farmhouse

• Veneer → MCM, mass-produced vintage pieces

Paint does not erase the style — structure always matters more than color.

Common Furniture Styles Buyers Search for on Facebook Marketplace

Mid-Century Modern (MCM)

Example provided by The Flip Side 865

Key features:

• Tapered legs

• Clean lines

• Minimal hardware

Marketplace keywords:

• “Mid century modern dresser”

• “MCM credenza”

• “Mid century nightstand”

Don’t label everything MCM — buyers can spot misuse quickly.

Farmhouse

Key features:

• Solid wood look

• Simple construction

• Rustic or neutral finishes

Keywords:

• “Farmhouse dresser”

• “Rustic console table”

• “Modern farmhouse cabinet”

French Provincial

Key features:

• Curved legs

• Ornate detailing

• Soft, feminine shapes

Keywords:

• “French provincial dresser”

• “Vintage French nightstand”

Traditional

You will see a lot of traditional furniture used for a Farmhouse aesthetic

Key features:

• Symmetry

• Decorative trim

• Heavier appearance

Keywords:

• “Traditional wood dresser”

• “Classic bedroom furniture”

Boho / Eclectic

Example provided by Flippin Friends Furniture

Key features:

• Mixed materials

• Texture over polish

• Organic shapes

Keywords:

• “Boho cabinet”

• “Bohemian sideboard”

Use sparingly — “boho” is often overused and vague.

Art Deco

Art Deco is often confused with mid-century modern, but buyers who are searching for Art Deco specifically know what they want — and they will pay for it when it’s labeled correctly.

Key identifying features:

• Strong geometric shapes

• Symmetry and bold lines

• Rounded or stepped edges

• Decorative details without heavy carving

• High-contrast finishes

Art Deco pieces often feel glamorous, structured, and intentional, even when they’re simple in form.

Common Art Deco Furniture Pieces

• Dressers and vanities

• Nightstands

• Waterfall-style dressers

• Sideboards and buffets

Waterfall dressers (with rounded, cascading fronts) are one of the most commonly misidentified Art Deco pieces — and one of the most searched.

How Art Deco Differs From Mid-Century Modern

This is where many flippers get tripped up:

• Art Deco: Decorative, symmetrical, rounded, bold

• Mid-Century Modern: Minimal, organic, tapered legs, understated

If the piece feels ornamental rather than minimal, it’s likely Art Deco, not MCM.

Facebook Marketplace Keywords to Use

Use clear, confident phrasing buyers are already searching:

• “Art Deco dresser”

• “Vintage Art Deco vanity”

• “Art Deco waterfall dresser”

• “Art Deco nightstand”

On Facebook Marketplace, including “Art Deco” early in the title significantly improves visibility for the right buyer.

Style vs Era: Stop Using These as the Same Thing

These are descriptors, not styles:

• Vintage

• Antique

• Retro

Correct format:

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Dresser
Antique French Provincial Nightstand

Facebook Marketplace ranks listings better when keywords are clear and specific.

How to Research Furniture Styles Online

Facebook Marketplace (Most Important)

• Search your style keyword

• Filter by Sold

• Note pricing, wording, and photos

eBay

eBay is excellent for:

• Style verification

• Nationwide pricing

• Detailed descriptions

Search:

“Mid century modern dresser sold”

Etsy

Etsy buyers are style-driven and design-focused, making it perfect for learning how styles are described.

If you want to sell furniture on Etsy, I break down exactly how to do that in my full guide here:
Click here to learn how to sell furniture on Etsy

How to Write a Facebook Marketplace Listing That Gets Found

SEO-Friendly Title Formula

Style + Furniture Type + Material (optional)

Examples:

• “Mid Century Modern Walnut Dresser”

• “French Provincial White Nightstand”

• “Farmhouse Solid Wood Console Table”

Description Checklist

• Restate the style in the first sentence

• Include dimensions

• Mention condition honestly

• Use natural keywords (don’t stuff)

Facebook pulls keywords from both the title and description.

Common Style Mistakes That Hurt Sales

• Labeling everything “MCM”

• Using “boho” with no supporting features

• Ignoring legs and hardware

• Guessing instead of researching

When in doubt: describe what you see, then research.

Why Accurate Style Identification Increases Profit

When buyers can find your listing:

• You get more views

• You get better buyers

• You can charge more confidently

Style knowledge is one of the fastest ways to level up as a furniture flipper — without spending more money.

Final Tip

Before you list, ask yourself:

If I were the buyer, what would I search to find this piece?

That question alone can change everything.