What can you actually swap? A UK guide to swapping your stuff

Swap your unwanted toys, furniture, electronics and more instead of buying new or binning them — it's free to list on Swapster, the UK's swap marketplace.

There are two reasons people swap: it saves money, and it stops perfectly good stuff going to landfill just because you don't want it any more. Swapster covers pretty much everything below, from kids' toys to bikes to musical instruments — you list what you've got, say what you're after, and get matched with someone who has it. If you haven't swapped before, our guide on your first swap walks through exactly how the process works. Here's what people are swapping right now.

Kids outgrow toys and clothes faster than you can keep up with — sometimes in months, not years. Buying everything new is expensive, and most of it barely gets used before it's too small or forgotten. Swapping toys means someone else's outgrown favourite becomes your child's new obsession, and the things gathering dust in your house go to a home where they'll actually get played with. It works just as well for baby and kids' clothes: a barely-worn babygro or a coat outgrown after one winter is exactly the kind of thing other parents are looking for. Browse and list in our toys & games category, or check children's clothing if it's outfits you're after.

Moving house or redoing a room usually means two problems at once: new furniture is expensive, and getting rid of the old stuff is a hassle — council collections cost money, and dragging a sofa to the tip is nobody's idea of a good afternoon. Swapping furniture solves both sides of that. Someone else wants exactly the desk, wardrobe or sofa you're replacing, and you can pick up what you need without paying full retail price. It's especially useful for bulky pieces that are a pain to store or move on your own. Have a look at what's listed in our furniture category.

The upgrade cycle never stops — there's always a newer phone, a faster laptop, a better camera. That leaves a lot of perfectly good kit sitting in drawers doing nothing, or worse, ending up as e-waste. Swapping electronics means your old laptop or camera goes to someone who'll actually use it, while you get something you need in return without spending a penny. It's a much better outcome than letting good tech quietly go to waste. Take a look through our electronics category for what's on offer.

Bikes have a short shelf life in most households: kids outgrow a frame within a season, fitness kicks start and stall, and a bike that isn't being ridden is just taking up space in the shed or hallway. Swapping bikes is an easy way to trade up or down in size, or swap out a bike you're no longer using for one you'll actually ride. Check our bicycles category to see what's available near you.

Plenty of kids start an instrument, stick with it for a term or two, and then move on — leaving an expensive keyboard, guitar or set of drums unused. Instruments are pricey to buy new, but they hold their appeal secondhand, which makes them easy to swap on to someone else who's just starting out. Rather than letting it sit in a cupboard, swap it for something your household will actually use. Browse our musical instruments category.

Books, DVDs, CDs and old game discs are cheap individually, which makes them perfect for swapping — low risk, easy to post or hand over, and a great way to clear shelf space without just throwing media away. Whether it's a stack of novels you've finished or a boxset you'll never rewatch, someone else is looking for exactly that. Have a browse of our books, music & media category.

Can I really swap items online for free?
Yes — listing and swapping on Swapster is free. There's no fee to list an item or to complete a swap.

What is a swap website?
A swap website lets members list things they no longer want and match with other members who have what they're looking for, so everyone trades directly instead of buying or selling for cash.

Is swapping actually free, or are there hidden costs?
Swapping itself is free — no money changes hands between members. Some swaps may involve arranging your own delivery or collection, but Swapster doesn't charge to list, browse or match.

What can I swap on Swapster?
Toys, furniture, electronics, bikes, instruments, books and more — if it's in good condition and someone else might want it, you can list it.

Want to see how Swapster compares to other options? Our guide to the best swap sites in the UK rounds up the alternatives.

Ready to stop buying new and start swapping? Sign up free and list your first item in a couple of minutes — someone out there already wants what you're not using.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash