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

Briana Bonfiglio
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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).

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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. 

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.

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.

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