Furnishing your home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, there are a lot of ways that you can get free or discounted furniture – you just need to know where to shop. With a few insider tips, you can save a tremendous amount of money on furniture without having to sacrifice quality in the process. To start saving today, check out these seven frugal ways to buy furniture on a budget:
1. Browse The Classifieds
For decades, people have turned to classified ads as an inexpensive way of listing items for sale. Years ago, ads like these were primarily published in newspapers and magazines. Today, however, most people rely on classified ad websites like Craigslist when selling their furniture or other belongings.
Listings like these can be a gold mine for discovering high-quality, inexpensive furniture. This is particularly true if you live in a densely populated urban area. Finding furniture through Craigslist is easy. Simply type in a search for whatever kind of furniture you are looking for. Generally, it is best to start with a broad search so that you get more results.
When browsing through the listings, look closely at the furniture pieces to make sure that they are not damaged. If you can’t see the item clearly in the photos, you can always request additional pictures from the person who created the listing. There is a link to contact them at the bottom of the page.
If you find a piece you want, don’t be afraid to haggle on the price. Most people price their items slightly higher than what they actually hope to get for them. Offering a lower price could wind up saving you a bundle.
2. Shop Estate Sales
Estate sales are similar to garage sales. The primary difference is that a large portion of a person’s estate is being sold off at the same time. Sales like these are commonly held when people are moving to another location and want to get rid of most of their belongings. Family members may also hold estate sales after a loved one passes away.
Estate sales can be a wonderful source for inexpensive furniture. Prices at sales like these are usually quite low since the goal of the sale is to sell as many items as possible. That means that you can find some amazing deals on beautiful pieces of furniture. Estate sales are a particularly good source for vintage and antique pieces, making them a fun place to shop if you are looking for furniture pieces that have a unique character.
3. Thrift Stores
When people buy new furniture, they often donate their old furniture to a local thrift store. Stores like these can be an excellent resource when shopping for furniture on a budget. Typically, the prices are quite low, with most pieces being priced at $50 or less.
Always inspect the furniture closely, making sure that it is in good shape and that it doesn’t have any hidden damage. Don’t be afraid to look at pieces that have cosmetic defects. You may be able to restore them to like-new condition with a little bit of creativity and elbow grease.
4. Shop On Holiday Weekends
Furniture stores are notorious for holding big sales on holiday weekends. This is particularly true for any patriotic holidays like Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, or Presidents’ Day.
You can often get amazing discounts by shopping during sales like these. To find out which stores in your area are holding sales, try checking your local newspaper for sales flyers. Alternatively, you can search for local furniture stores online and view their websites to learn more about any upcoming sales.
5. Shop At Stores That Are Going Out Of Business
Many brick-and-mortar furniture stores are struggling to stay afloat in today’s economy. With most consumers taking their business online, trying to run a traditional retail store is more challenging than ever. Unfortunately, that means that many local furniture stores wind up going out of business. While that is bad news for them, it is good news for you since it means that you can save a bundle of money.
Stores that are going out of business usually offer their furniture at drastically reduced prices. Their goal is to clear out as much inventory as they can before they shut their doors. That means that you can often find furniture pieces that are marked down by 50% or more, resulting in major savings.
6. Check Antique Malls And Vintage Shops
If you want to give your home a one-of-a-kind look, consider shopping for furniture at antique malls or vintage shops. Antique malls are usually made up of booths that are managed by individual vendors, meaning that many different vendors sell their wares in the same space.
All of the items that are for sale at malls like these are either vintage or antique, which means that you can find some amazing one-of-a-kind pieces. Shopping at these stores is a little bit like a treasure hunt. Some pieces of furniture are extremely expensive, costing hundreds or thousands of dollars. Every so often, however, you stumble upon a beautiful piece that is reasonably priced. Part of the fun of shopping at stores like these is looking for bargains.
7. Check Discount Department Store Chains
While the selection can be a little bit hit or miss, it is worth checking discount department store chains like T.J. Maxx, Marshall’s, Kohl’s, and Big Lots. Stores like these often sell overstocked furniture at discounted prices. While the prices are still higher than buying used furniture, they are quite reasonable for new pieces, making this an affordable way to buy furniture on a budget.
Many regular furniture stores also have a scratch-and-dent section. The pieces in this area have all sustained minor cosmetic damage. For instance, you may find a leather sofa with a small scratch on the back or a dining room table with a flaw in the finish. As long as you don’t mind these minor imperfections, you can get some great deals on high-quality pieces.
Important Information About Buying Used Furniture
Buying used furniture is an excellent way to save money. As long as you shop wisely, you can find beautiful pieces that still have a lot of life left in them.
If you buy a used piece of upholstered furniture, however, you should consider having it professionally cleaned or reupholstered. The porous nature of the fabric means that it can easily harbor germs. Furniture pieces like these can also be infested with bedbugs, mites, fleas, or other pests. The cost of professional cleaning is quite low and is a worthwhile expense – especially when you consider that it could keep you from accidentally bringing unwanted pests into your home.
Having said that, these pieces are still worth buying – especially if they feature high-quality construction. Even when you add in the cost of cleaning, you usually can wind up saving a lot of money over the cost of purchasing a similar item new.
Tips For Buying Cheap Furniture Online
The Internet has made it easier than ever to find amazing deals on furniture. With the click of a mouse, you have access to an almost unlimited number of furniture stores, making it easy to compare prices.
If you are planning on buying furniture online, always add the shipping costs into the total price to make sure that you really are getting a good deal.
Before you place your order, see if the website has a mailing list. Oftentimes, if you sign up for the mailing list, they will send you a discount code that allows you to save money on your order. This is an easy way to save. You can always unsubscribe from the mailing list once you get the discount code if you don’t want to keep receiving their emails.
Always take accurate measurements before you start shopping. It is hard to judge the size of an item simply by looking at a photo online. Check the measurements of the furniture piece carefully to make sure that it will fit in the space that you have available.
Finally, don’t forget to check the store’s return policy. Find out how much time you have to return the piece. Also, remember to check who is responsible for paying the return shipping fee if the furniture item doesn’t work out.
Buying furniture on a budget doesn’t mean that you have to settle for less. In fact, as long as you shop wisely, you can find beautifully made furniture at extremely low prices. Whether you are shopping for used or new furniture, it is always important to be on the lookout for a bargain. There is no point in paying more money than necessary for furniture – especially when there are so many easy ways to save.
The most important thing to remember is that you should inspect any furniture pieces carefully before buying them to make sure that they are free from damage and that the quality of the construction meets your standards.
