Discount Furniture

Consider the Use First

Let’s face it: nothing is a discount if it’s in poor condition. Consider how much wear and tear each piece of furniture will go through and look for well-manufactured pieces above all else. You’ll save money in the long run by simply not having to replace furniture so soon.

Follow Sales Cycles

If you’re not in a big hurry to buy, you can find deals on discount furniture by planning ahead and reading sales circulars. Certain times of the year generally offer better deals on particular pieces. This is driven by anticipated consumer spending as well as the release of newer styles and colors.

• January and July: Good clearance times
• April and August: Office and back-to-school furniture
• May-June: Recliners and other chairs
• June-August: Bedding
• October: Dining furniture

During those months, try to shop toward the end of the month, when retailers are trying to meet sales quotas.

Do your homework! Find a piece of furniture that interests you prior to the sale, and see if the price goes up in preparation for a “sale”. Don’t be lured in by package deals for entire rooms of furniture if that’s not what you need.

Where to Find Discount Furniture

Outlet malls. Many outlet malls house slow-moving or slightly damaged pieces. Inventory has to move quickly to make room for stock coming in from other stores along the distribution channel, so many deals can be found here.

Furniture store backrooms. Never hesitate to wander into the backroom of any furniture store. The discount furniture bargains you’ll find here are usually slow-moving or discontinued stock, as well as floor demos. Backrooms are also a great resource for picking up inexpensive accessories such as lamps, mirrors, ottomans, and end tables. Store salespeople are more willing to dicker a little on price in the backroom, too. Also, ask major furniture retailers if the store has an overstock location, often found in the same city.

"Big Box" retailers. Stores like JCPenney, Kmart, Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, and Sam’s Club have added a variety of discount furniture lines that actually look pretty smart.

Consignment shops. Think of this as a high-end yard sale. Instead of putting everything in the garage, consigners agree to share the profit with the shop. The markup is nowhere near the price a furniture retailer may charge, and the selection is more diverse. Some consignment shops also sell clothing for the entire family, so you can outfit your home and your kids in one stop.

Discount Furniture Online

If you don’t mind not being able to run your hand over a product, there are a few online outlets well known for discount furniture. This is a great way to compare similar pieces, but remember that the cost of shipping may overshadow your savings.

IKEA. The Swedish retailer keeps costs down by using a “flatpack” shipping method, picture instructions, and full assembly completed by the consumer. Styles are more streamline and modern, which may not appeal to everyone. More retail outlets are popular in Europe, but major cities in America have an IKEA store, or you can order from the company'swebsite.

Overstock.com. If you’re looking for discounted high-end furniture, Overstock.com may be your place.

Really Cheap Furniture

For more deals on discount furniture, try yard sales, or charitable organizations such as Goodwill, the Disabled Veteran’s Store, and the Salvation Army.

Yard sales host a variety of bargains, especially moving sales. Occasionally, the seller will be willing to negotiate simply to get rid of something and not have to haul it back inside. But, be fair. If someone is charging $20 for a sturdy dining table and four matching chairs, remember that a few scratches on the tabletop can be covered with a tablecloth.

Charitable organizations are treasure troves of discount furniture. Donations and estate sales supply these warehouses with everything from mattress and box spring sets to entire living room suites. As an added bonus, the money you spend is helping someone else in your community through the good works of the organization.

Furniture at these locations is primarily sold “as is”, so it’s a good idea to steam clean the pieces with a unit that can be rented from grocery and hardware stores. More than likely, you’ll also have to pick up the furniture yourself, as purveyors of secondhand furniture rarely deliver. Nevertheless, the hundreds of dollars in savings is worth it.

External Links

If you want a better understanding of the furniture industry, visit the Furniture Today website.