Out of all of the things we buy for our home, purchasing furniture can be really fun, or extremely stressful. If you’re picking out a new living room suite because you’re excited about creating a living space, then you can take your time and enjoy the process.
However, if you’re buying a new couch because your dog’s separation anxiety drove him to rip your current one to shreds and you don’t have a place to sit, then it’s more stressful. Either way, no one likes to overpay.
You can overwhelm yourself in deciding where to shop when to buy, and how to get the best deals on what can be a significant financial expense. Depending on what you’re looking to buy, your options can range from a cheap office chair to an expensive king-size bed frame.
Whether you’re purchasing indoor furniture for your living room, office furniture for your study, or outdoor furniture for your patio, you can save more when you thoughtfully plan. Not sure when to buy your furniture? That’s ok! Keep reading to learn the best time to buy furniture!
When to Buy New Furniture?
Sometimes buying new furniture happens because you’re inspired or itching to change things up. Other times, it may be because you’re in a bind and need a new piece quickly. Let’s take a look at when you may need to buy new furniture.
You need to refresh your space. Maybe you’ve had that old worn-down couch from the thrift store since college, or your space is feeling aged and outdated. Refreshing your space with new furniture can be a great way to express your maturity and creativity!
It’s no longer a good fit. Major life events like marriage (especially when it creates a blended family) can make you re-evaluate your furnishings quite quickly. Sometimes the pieces you have no longer meet your needs and you need to swap them out for something bigger!
You’re moving. Moving can be one of those events in life that become stressful, really fast. Sometimes it’s easier to sell everything you have instead of transporting it across the state or country. Buying new furniture can also save money on moving costs!
No matter the reason for purchasing new furniture, why overpay or to pay full price when you can get furniture for cheaper! Believe it or not, there are better times of the year to purchase furniture than others.
The Best Time to Buy Furniture
Nothing feels better than getting a great deal on purchasing something as expensive as furniture, and seeing how much you can save! If you plan well enough, you can save significantly on your next furniture purchase. Take a look to see the best time to buy furniture before you shop!
Best Time to Buy Indoor Furniture
Indoor furniture, such as a bedroom suite, kitchen table, or couches for your living room goes on sale during specific times of the year. Based on consumer trends, your best bet for purchasing indoor furniture is to buy during one of these windows:
- January through February – The holidays of November and December encourage people to spruce up their places to host dinners and family for a few days.
After that, in the lull of January and February, is when you can find prices slashed on furniture that didn’t sell by the end of the previous year. This also makes room for the new wave of creations to hit sales floors in Spring.
- July through September – The Fall is when another release of furniture comes out, so look to make your purchase in late Summer like a great way to save!
If you anticipate having guests over the holidays, planning and purchasing in the summer can be a major way to save in advance!
Best Time to Buy Office Furniture
Office furniture purchases can be just as overwhelming to purchase because you need to buy something that feels comfortable. More than likely, your desk and office chair will be where you spend most of your time, especially if you work from home full time.
The best time to buy office furniture is before the new release in the Fall. Late Summer, in August and September, is when most office furniture goes on sale in preparation for the start of the school year.
Pair your search for office furniture with the Labor Day Sales, and you may save more money!
Best Time to Buy Outdoor Furniture
Patio furniture has a sales season of its own, as well. When you think of outdoor furniture, think of chair cushions, swings, and sturdy outdoor tables for lounging.
You’ll want to avoid making these purchases in spring and early summer since that’s when they know consumers are willing to pay more to enjoy their outdoor areas while the weather is nice.
The best time to buy outdoor furniture is between August and September. Most of these items are considered “seasonal” by retailers, and they have to pay more to store them for months at a time when most people aren’t looking to spend more time outdoors, such as in winter.
Major Holiday Sales
Based on the window of time it’s best to buy a type of furniture, you may be able to pair it with a major holiday sale for more savings. The Holiday Sales are a great way to find what you’re looking for at a deeper discount. Look for furniture during holidays, such as:
| Holiday Sale | What to Look For |
| President’s Day Sale in February | Indoor Furniture |
| Memorial Day Sale in May | Outdoor Furniture, but only if you can’t wait |
| Fourth of July Sale in July | Indoor Furniture, Office Furniture |
| Labor Day Sale in September | Indoor Furniture, Office Furniture, Outdoor Furniture |
| Black Friday Sale in November | Indoor Furniture, but only if you can’t wait; Outdoor Furniture, but there may be very slim inventory |
| Holiday Sales in December | Indoor Furniture, but only if you can’t wait |
Some holiday sales are good to go after with a purchase in mind, such as Labor Day Sales, but others are only good for perusing to see if something is on clearance or if you have to buy something right away.
Now that you know when the best times to buy furniture are, you need to make sure you shop at the right place!
Best Places to Find a Good Deal on Furniture
When it comes to buying a great piece of furniture for a steal, you have to know both when and where to shop. Here are some of the best places to find a good deal on furniture!
- In-Store Sales – Don’t overlook brick and mortar stores for your next furniture deal. They may have liquidation sales or allow you to take the floor model for a percentage off. Check out your local furniture stores to see what they have before shopping online!
- Online Retailers – Buying furniture online is much easier than it used to be. A good thing about shopping online is the amount of choice you have compared to local stores. You can also put a watch on items to see when they go on sale.
- Furniture Outlets – These are often brick and mortar stores but work closely with manufacturers of furniture. They are often in locations concentrated with a lot of furniture makers, and you can find significant deals in these outlets.
Now that you know where to shop, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind before you make your furniture purchase.
Important Things to Notice When Buying Furniture
When it comes to making impulse purchases, we usually accept the risk of what we’re buying. For example, we know there’s low risk involved in buying a shirt, and feel safe doing so, especially when they’re cheap. But, furniture is a different story.
Furniture can be a significant expense and quite difficult to return, especially if it’s something big and bulky like a dresser or entertainment system. Consider the following details before buying your next piece of furniture.
Tears or Scratches
If you’re shopping in person, make sure you look the piece over from all angles to ensure there are no scratches, dents, or tears. If there are, you can make a decision: Do you want to negotiate for a lower price, accept it as-is, or walk away?
Even if your item is shipped, or requires assembly, take a moment to inspect it thoroughly before moving it to its rightful place or putting the parts together. Make sure you’re entirely comfortable before deciding to keep it.
Ratings and Reviews
Before you buy furniture, take a look at what people are saying online in reviews. This can be on Google or the store site. Make sure to look at both recent reviews, and the bad reviews to see what kind of remarks people have left.
Putting time in to do your research may prevent you from buying a piece that isn’t a good match for your needs, or wouldn’t fit someone of your size comfortably. After all, furniture needs to be comfortable!
Warranty
What kind of warranty does the company offer on your furniture? Do you know if they will cover the cost of repairs should your couch come with a tear? What about if a leg breaks on your table in two months?
Understanding how the company will cover damages or missing parts for your furniture is crucial to deciding on whether or not to purchase. Consider the length and details of the warranty before you purchase!
Returns
When it comes to buying new furniture, understand the return process before you make your purchase. If you have a couch, can you return it once it’s delivered? If so, who pays for the return? And, if you’re responsible, how much will that cost?
Getting stuck with a piece of furniture you’ve discovered isn’t a good fit for your space is a terrible feeling! Make sure you understand the return policy before buying new furniture.
It’s also important to save as much money as you can when buying new furniture. Check out my tips to save below!
Tips to Save When Buying Furniture
Furniture can cost a lot of money, especially if it’s a large item. There are a few ways to save money when buying furniture, and it can rack up significantly! Here are a few tips on how to save more money when you buy furniture:
- Shop Major Holidays
When you shop during major holidays, you can find some great deals on furniture, especially if you buy furniture that stores are trying to get rid of in time for new inventory to arrive. Mark your calendars ahead of time and check out those holiday sales!
- Buy on a Specific Retailer Day
Whether you prefer Amazon, Wayfair, or Overstock, each major retailer or marketplace has specific days where they offer major savings. Shop the following:
- Overstock’s Semi-Annual Sale in March
- Wayfair’s Way Day in April
- Amazon Prime Day in July
Check out your favorite retailer or marketplace and note when they’re having their major sale to save more money on furniture!
- Get Money Back with a Store Card
Any time you can get money back on a purchase, especially a big purchase, is always a win! When furniture shopping, see if you have a rewards card or credit card for that retailer and see what kind of points of dollars you get in return. Maybe you can use it for a future accessory!
While these tips work best on new furniture, keep in mind, that you can always buy used furniture, as well. Read on to see if used furniture is worth your while!
Should You Buy Used Furniture?
Buying used furniture is nothing to feel shame over – it means less waste in the landfill, and probably major savings for your wallet. Here are tips and tricks for buying used furniture!
- Start Looking in January – People tend to set New Year’s Resolutions around decluttering come January. This is a great time for you to take gently used furniture off someone’s hands. Start looking at your social media friends first and see where it takes you!
- Join Freecycle – Freecycle is a great way to get free furniture, but make sure you inspect it thoroughly. Ensure it comes from a smoke-free home, and ask about pet hair or dander. Who knows, that free chair may just be what you’re looking for?!
- Check out Habitat for Humanity’s Restore – Habitat for Humanity is a great nonprofit that builds homes for those in need. Often, they sell donated furniture for a small price, and you can get major wins! They have certain criteria for what they accept and it’s usually in good condition.
- Look on Facebook Marketplace – I know people that have stocked their living room for less than $200 by shopping on Facebook Marketplace. As always, check out the goods, and don’t be afraid to walk away if it’s not right for you.
Buying used furniture can save you a ton of money, and is better for the world, overall!
FAQs on the Best Time to Buy Furniture
When is the best time to buy furniture?
The best time to buy furniture depends on what type of furniture you’re trying to buy. Indoor, Outdoor, and Office furniture goes on sale at different times of the year.
Is Labor Day a good time to buy furniture?
Absolutely! You can often find deals on indoor furniture, outdoor furniture, and office furniture.
What’s the best time to buy Patio Furniture?
Patio furniture usually goes on sale in late summer, during August and September. It’s such a seasonal item that most companies are looking to not store them in warehouses for such an extended period.
When is the best time to buy furniture at Big Lots?
Big Lots often has 20% off sales and the months of January and July are great for saving on furniture at Big Lots!
The Best time for Furniture Shopping
Keeping your calendar marked to check out major holiday sales is often a great way to save money on furniture, but also know what you want before you shop and seek out the best month for that item.
Usually, late Winter and late Summer are great times to shop and save money on furniture! What will you do with the money you save on buying furniture?
