Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Hacks & How-to's

10 easy ways to save money on furniture (without sacrificing style)

Briana Bonfiglio
By

Let’s face it: Furniture is not cheap. When you’re moving into a new place, the various pieces — from tables and desks to chairs and couches — will likely be your biggest expenses. But furniture is essential to making a house a home, so breaking the bank may seem inevitable.

Spending a fortune on furniture is not fated, though. There are certain hacks you can learn, such as how to buy furniture directly from manufacturers or from a furniture warehouse, that can help you save money. To keep your new pad fresh and your bank account happy, try these easy ways to save money on furniture (without sacrificing style).

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Put a DIY twist on inexpensive Ikea finds

From couches to bookcases to coffee tables, Ikea typically has inexpensive prices that other retailers just can’t beat. Ikea’s furniture can also be pretty basic, though. If you find a piece there that works for your space, you can always spruce it up with new paint, knobs, or handles, or by adding different cushions to chairs. Never underestimate the power of DIY decorating to turn cheap furniture into stylish pieces for your home. 

Recommended Videos

Go to a thrift shop, estate sale, or yard sale

Seeking out local garage/yard/estate sales or visiting your neighborhood thrift shop can often lead to some quality cheap finds as well. Again, you may need to work some DIY magic to restore them, but your wallet will definitely thank you for the extra effort.

Related

Build your own

Making your own furniture will surely save you money. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but for many people, it’s worth a shot and could be simpler than you think. Pull up a YouTube video on how to build a side table, gather tools and materials, and have fun with this new project. 

Check Facebook Marketplace

There are more people out there selling their used furniture than you may think. Used doesn’t always mean old, though, and you can get lucky and find some nice pieces for low prices this way. Often people are moving and need to get rid of their furniture, so you can make lower offers. Just be sure to do your due diligence to not get scammed and to be safe if you meet someone in person to pick up an item.

Time your purchases during sale weekends

Always look out for sales at retail stores, but especially on holiday weekends, such as Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, when furniture stores often mark down prices on lots of their inventory. Time your purchase right, and you could get a major discount!

Collect coupons

If you know where you’d like to buy your furniture, sign up for emails or mailers from that retailer. Whether it’s an online shop such as Wayfair or Overstock, or a brick-and-mortar store, many of them send out coupons or special offers. Getting on the mailing list will help you get the best deals, especially if you’re a first-time customer.

Buy wholesale or directly from the manufacturer

Rather than buying from a typical retail store, check whether the piece of furniture you want is listed on a wholesale site, or get it straight from the manufacturer. This may entail a few extra steps, such as Googling furniture warehouses online or calling manufacturers or wholesalers to see what they have in stock and what their shipping terms are.

Negotiate prices

No matter where you buy from, be sure to negotiate, especially at retail stores. Big box stores often have salespeople who work off commission, so they want to make a sale. It may be helpful to go into these stores at the end of the month or quarter and haggle on prices.

Ask to buy the floor sample

When you visit a showroom and fall in love with a certain piece, ask to buy the floor sample for a discounted price. It may take some time for them to ship it to you, but showrooms do swap out pieces periodically, and you can get lucky that way.

Take advantage of cash back

Use your credit card to receive cash back. Most credit card companies offer some percentage of cash back for all purchases, so making a large furniture purchase with your credit card can be a wise choice. If you shop for your furniture online, there are several cash-back rewards programs you can join, such as Ibotta and Rakuten.

Furnishing a home can get pretty pricey, especially when you have high standards for your space. But you don’t need to sacrifice style in order to buy quality pieces for less when you explore all your options for saving money on furniture. Whether you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and make your own furniture or get on the phone with wholesalers to check their inventory, one of these simple tricks could work for each piece of furniture for your home, helping you save hundreds if not thousands of dollars — and making your place look fantastic too.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Briana Bonfiglio
Briana Bonfiglio
The best laundry bags for your delicates to save you time and money
Laundry bags are a must to avoid handwashing delicates
Person taking clothes out of the dryer

If you enjoy buying fine undergarments and expensive activewear, you know these items can be on the pricey side. When it comes to items that you spend your hard-earned money on, you want them to last. Lucky for you, gone are the days of handwashing delicate garments -- you can take good care of your investments simply by putting them in a laundry bag before throwing them in the washing machine. You will notice they look good and feel great longer than they used to. It’s amazing what a difference a little bag can make, and we promise you'll notice right away if you use the best laundry bags for delicates.

Using a laundry bag for your delicate garments is not only the best way to keep them in good shape, but it’s also a huge timesaver. If you don’t have time or don’t feel like washing anything by hand, these practical bags with fine netting and safe closures are a tried-and-true solution. In fact, you can use a laundry bag for anything that could get damaged in the wash. Compression leggings, cocktail dresses, and sweaters all love being safely stored in a laundry bag. Let’s take a look at the best laundry bags to protect the fabrics, such as your fancy lingerie and high-tech fitness clothes, so they last longer and stay looking great.
Tenrai Delicates Laundry Bag
Best overall

Read more
5 amazing ways to replace kitchen cabinets on a tight budget
affordable kitchen cabinets replace woman painting

If you need to replace kitchen cabinets on a tight budget, we understand your pain. Kitchen remodels are expensive, and there are so many hidden costs involved. Whether you’re hiring a pro or doing the project on your own, one of the biggest expenses of any kitchen update is the cabinets. In fact, cabinets typically account for a significant portion of your renovating budget.

If you're looking for an affordable kitchen design, one option is to simply repaint your existing kitchen cabinets. But if they're well past their prime and you're due for an upgrade, the good news is that it is actually possible to find and customize kitchen cabinets on a tight budget. By doing some of the work yourself and choosing lower-cost materials, you can greatly reduce your kitchen renovation costs. Still not convinced? Read on for our tips.

Read more
6 heartfelt Mother’s Day gift ideas that cost less than $50 to make
Mother and daughters in bed having a spa day

While we're grateful for the women in our life every day, Mother’s Day is a special time to show our moms, grandmothers, aunts, and other extraordinary ladies just how much we appreciate them. Showing admiration on this holiday is about more than buying an expensive or flashy Mother’s Day gift. In fact, one of the best ways to show your love is with a self-made gift that comes right from the heart. Whether you’re on a budget or just want to gift something more personalized, a homemade present is the way to go. Here are six Mother’s Day gift ideas that cost less than $50 to pull together.

Countertop herb garden
Herb seeds: $8
Soil: $8
Terracotta pots: $6 for four
Fabric scraps: $8
Mod podge: $4
Total price: $34
For an avid home chef, nothing is better than having fresh herbs on hand. If your mom loves to cook, a DIY windowsill herb garden is the perfect gift. To make a basic version, all you need is some seeds, soil, and pots. Choose popular herbs for the garden, like basil, rosemary, parsley, mint, cilantro, and sage. Add some personality to the garden kit by making custom plant markers or decorating the pots. This tutorial provides some great tips and tricks to give regular terracotta pots a custom touch with fabric scraps and mod podge.
Instagram flip calendar
Printed Instagram photos: $0-$0.39 each
Supplies: $20
Total price: $20-$25
Surprise mom with a gorgeous, personalized calendar. This modern and minimalist flip calendar features the date as well as your favorite Instagram pics of you and your family members. Choose a variety of photos and print them at home or at a store like Walgreens. Constructing the calendar is simple — all you need is a black poster board, hole punch, wire, and glue. You can view the instructions here, along with the full materials list and a downloadable template for the date cards.

Read more