If you are on a budget but need to buy some furniture, you should click here to learn about the best places to buy furniture on a budget.
We all know the feeling.
The feeling of disappointment when comparing your bank account to your decorating dreams. Pinterest makes it look so easy, but furniture always comes with a high price tag. Or does it?
If you’re faced with the need for inexpensive furniture, then you need to know the best places to buy furniture on a budget.
Buying inexpensive furniture doesn’t mean low-quality. Despite what magazine ads tell us, we can get high-quality pieces of furniture at a reasonable price.
Read on to find out the best places to buy furniture on a budget.
Thrift Stores
Thrift stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army sell furniture at incredibly cheap prices. They sell everything from couches and armchairs to kitchen tables. Whatever donations they receive determines what you can buy.
One downside to shopping for furniture at thrift stores is the limited selection. It also can be very time consuming going from one thrift store to the next. Especially if you have a specific item and style in mind.
So for this option, you’ll need to keep an open mind. Instead of focusing intently on the exact look you want, focus on the shape. Any piece of furniture can be reupholstered, painted, or stained to meet your needs.
If refinishing furniture isn’t your strong suit, then a company can also do this for you. Just keep in mind that this could increase your furniture costs significantly depending on who’s doing the work.
Factory Direct
Factory direct stores cut out the middle man. These types of furniture stores include manufacturers, designers, and retailers all in one. This greatly reduces the price of the furniture due to fewer costs involved in doing business.
These stores allow you to get furniture at a reasonable price without foregoing quality. You’ll receive brand-new, stylish furniture without the hefty price tag. And better yet, you won’t need to reupholster or stain the furniture you buy.
Garage Sales
Who doesn’t love a good garage sale? There’s nothing like looking through garage sale goods and finding a treasure. Unlike thrift stores, garage sales also let you know exactly where the furniture came from.
You can also ask questions to the owners to see what conditions the furniture has experienced. For example, do the owners smoke? Were pets allowed on the furniture?
You can also wheel and deal with the owners, which is unlikely to happen a thrift store. Especially a commercial thrift store like Goodwill.
Even better is the owners are unlikely to want to carry the furniture back into their homes. They are looking to get rid of it once and for all, which means you could get a really great deal.
Search online and in the newspaper for upcoming garage sales. Make note of the neighborhood as well to determine the quality of the products sellers may have to offer.
Online
Props to the Digital Age for creating a space for online furniture stores. Especially ones that sell their product at reasonable prices. Some of these furniture stores will also offer free shipping, discounts, and rewards.
Some stores will let you know if your desired product isn’t in stock. They’ll update you with an email when they get a new shipment, allowing you to relax while your product returns to the store.
Popular online furniture stores include Wayfair.com, Overstock.com, and eBay. With any of these websites, pay special attention to quality. Look over each product review to see how satisfied customers were with their purchase.
Remember, if you don’t like the product, you’ll need to send it back. This could be a huge hassle, so it’s best to shop around and do your research beforehand. You should also review each store’s return policy and how to return an item before buying.
Scratch and Dent Section
Flawed pieces of furniture and appliances end up in the scratch and dent section. This section has these items at discounted prices to make up for their imperfections. So, if you’re not a perfectionist and/or believe that you can fix the flaws, then shop away!
These items may also be found in the clearance section of regular stores.
You can also ask the company if they would be willing to sell their floor models. These items can also be purchased at discounted rates if they are flawed and/or are the last model in the store. Just remember, if never hurts to ask!
Classifieds/For Sale by Owner Websites
Newspaper ads and online classified ad websites are some of the best places to buy furniture. These ads are usually posted by the owners who are looking to get rid of their used furniture. But, sometimes companies will put ads in the classifieds to advertise for large sales.
Some of the most popular online classified websites include letgo and Craigslist. The owner will list the furniture on these sites and then you can negotiate the price if needed. However, the seller may expect you to pick up the furniture, which could mean renting a truck or borrowing one.
Always be safe when using these websites. Take a friend with you when picking up an item or meeting with a seller or buyer.
These Are the Best Places to Buy Furniture on a Budget
Knowing the best places to buy furniture on a budget gives you a shopping advantage. Expect your friends to come over and wonder how you pulled it off.
Always read reviews and make note of a company’s shipping policies and costs. Include this in your budget to ensure you stick to it!
Interested in learning more about interior design? Check out our other blog posts for more great tips.
