Used USM Haller furniture at 2nd home currently costs between roughly 230 euros for small tables and about 5,000 euros for large sideboard configurations (as of September 2026). Rolling containers sit at around 350 to 890 euros, shelving starts at roughly 280 euros, sideboards and display cabinets mostly range from 900 to 5,000 euros, and accessories such as shelves or keys start below 10 euros. That is well under the new price, at practically identical usability, because the system has remained compatible since the sixties. You will find available pieces in our USM Haller collection.

Why is USM Haller such a good second-hand buy?

The modular furniture system, developed in 1963 by architect Fritz Haller for entrepreneur Paul Schärer and part of the Museum of Modern Art collection since 2001, consists of chromed steel tubes, connecting balls and metal panels in fixed grid dimensions. That is exactly what makes buying used so attractive:

• Compatibility: Old and new elements combine freely. A used base module can later be extended or reconfigured with new parts.
• Value retention: USM has been built practically unchanged for decades. Well-kept pieces barely lose value and are easy to resell.
• Sustainability: A steel-and-chrome system that lasts for decades is the antithesis of throwaway furniture.

What does used USM Haller really cost?

Real ranges from our active listings (as of September 2026):

• Rolling containers: 350 to 890 euros, most around 780 euros
• Shelving: 280 to 3,950 euros, depending on size
• Tables and desks: 230 to 1,130 euros
• Sideboards, credenzas, display cabinets: 900 to 5,050 euros, most around 1,650 euros

Price drivers are size, rare colours, glass doors and the condition of chrome and panels.

Used or new: the sober calculation

New USM is configured individually and priced accordingly. Used, you buy a finished configuration at market price and can adapt, extend or rebuild it at any time thanks to the grid. Because the system does not age, the only real difference is condition, and that is exactly what the checklist below covers. With a little patience you wait for the right configuration instead of hoping for discounts.

The checklist before buying

1. Check the chrome: Inspect tubes and balls for rust, bubbles and deep scratches. Surface dirt comes off, undermined chrome does not.
2. Panels and doors: Dents and paint chips along the edges are the most common signs of use. Small chips are normal, large-scale damage lowers the price.
3. Locks and keys: Missing keys are cheap to replace, including from our shop. Defective locks are more involved.
4. Colour tone: USM colours vary slightly between production years. If you plan to extend, buy add-on parts in the same colour environment or mix deliberately.
5. Completeness: Shelves, back panels and glides count. Missing parts can be bought, but they cost.
6. Transport: USM can be dismantled, but it is heavy. Plan freight shipping for large sideboards; with us it is stated in the listing.

Which colour should it be?

USM produces in a fixed colour palette, from pure white, matte silver and anthracite to strong tones such as USM green, gentian blue, golden yellow and ruby red. If you want to extend later, the neutral tones are the safe choice because matching add-on parts are easiest to find. The strong colours circulate less often and set all the stronger accents; a yellow lowboard or a green shelf carries a whole room.

USM in the home: long past office-only

USM Haller is at home in the home office, but not only there: as a lowboard under the TV, a highboard in the dining room or a bedside table, the grid works just as naturally. Our article 10 ideas for using USM Haller flexibly collects the inspiration. If you are planning the system for work, the office furniture and sideboards hold more inspected pieces.

How do you recognise genuine USM?

You recognise the original by the characteristic ball-connector system with precisely milled joints, by the manufacturing quality of the chrome parts and by the uniform grid dimension that lets all elements combine seamlessly. In case of doubt, compare with the current USM programme, as the geometry has not changed.

How you buy USM at 2nd home

Every USM piece with us goes through our curation process: condition, completeness and provenance are checked and described honestly, with signs of use stated in the listing rather than in the small print. All pieces ship immediately, and for large configurations freight shipping is stated directly. And if you are hunting for something specific, just tell us, the assortment changes constantly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I extend used USM with new parts?
Yes, the grid system has remained compatible across the decades. That is exactly what makes buying used so economical.

Are missing keys a problem?
No, replacement keys are available cheaply, including from our range.

How do I clean chrome and panels?
With a mild cleaner and a soft cloth. No abrasives, they scratch paint and chrome.

Does used USM lose value?
Well-kept pieces are remarkably stable in value because the system continues unchanged and demand stays consistently high.