When you need new furniture, delaying the purchase until you have more money might not be plausible. However, if you are on a tight budget, simply heading out of the door and shopping at just any store might not be an option either. Luckily, it is possible to get high-quality furniture pieces for less, allowing you to shop right away without breaking the bank. Here are five ways to save money when buying furniture on a tight budget.
1. Shop Online Retailers
Many larger online retailers have furniture for sale. Sites like Amazon, Wayfair, and Overstock often have stylish, high-quality pieces available, typically at prices below what you’d find at a traditional brick-and-mortar furniture store.
Plus, each of those online retailers often has free shipping promotions. Those deals can potentially apply to smaller or self-assembly furniture pieces, including computer chairs, desks, end tables, bookshelves, TV stands, and more. At times, the free shipping benefit even extends to large pieces, including sofas, beds, mattresses, and pre-assembled versions of the items above.
However, shipping charges may apply for some large pieces. Additionally, you do have to qualify for the promotion. Often, that means either being a member of a program – such as Amazon Prime – or meeting specific conditions, like spending at least $35.
2. Buy Direct from Manufacturers
When you head to a retailer, you aren’t just paying for the cost of the furniture; you are also paying a markup. That markup covers some of the retailer’s costs, including shipping the item to their store or warehouse and pay for staff members. On top of that, there’s a profit margin.
If you want to avoid some of those costs, buying directly from a furniture manufacturer helps. You may be able to snag wholesale prices instead of retail, allowing you to save a substantial amount.
When you buy direct, you typically need to head to the manufacturer’s website or store location. Factory outlet stores and warehouse sales operated by the manufacturer can let you have an in-person shopping experience while still getting a lower price. Plus, if you can pick up the item yourself and bring it home, you may avoid delivery or shipping costs, too.
3. Try Warehouse or Stockroom Sales
If there aren’t any factory outlets or manufacturer-run warehouse stores, there is still a way to save a bit while shopping for new furniture in person. Many furniture stores offer price reductions on their overstock inventory.
In some cases, those bargains are only available a few times a year, typically during a stockroom sale, warehouse sale, or similar event. You can ask a salesperson if the store conducts those kinds of sales and, if so, when they occur.
If you go that route, you may need the ability to pick up the item immediately. If you don’t own a vehicle capable of hauling the furniture piece, consider renting a truck. When you get a big discount on the furniture itself, you may come out ahead even after paying that cost.
However, you may be able to find some of these discounts all year round. Many furniture stores operate a discount section. At times, you can find floor samples of overstock items there. In others, you may discover returns or scratch and dent items that are available for less.
With those discounts, you might be able to schedule a delivery through the store. Again, this will come with a cost but, if you don’t have a vehicle you can use to transport the furniture home, it could still be a decent deal.
4. Look for Deals on Used Items
If you have a tight budget, buying gently used furniture could be the way to go. Many people get rid of high-quality pieces that still have plenty of life in them, and they usually set a price point that is far below what you find in a traditional furniture store.
Websites like Craigslist can be great starting points, as well as Facebook Groups focused on item selling in your area. You may want to sign up on Freecycle, too. There, you can find local items that people are giving away for free, and there is a chance you might find the furniture pieces you need.
Garage, yard, or estate sales are also fantastic places to find bargains. Just keep in mind that, with most of these, you’ll need to be able to pick up the item and bring it home. Still, if you get a stellar price on a piece, a bit of a drive or renting a truck could still let you come out ahead.
5. Upcycle Thrift Store Finds
While you may find decent items at a thrift store in your area, if you add upcycling to the mix, you could open the door to more options. Upcycling is the process of taking an existing item and elevating it. With furniture, it could mean a fresh coat of paint, new upholstery, or similar steps that breathe new life into the piece.
The benefit of upcycling is that you can personalize the furniture. It lets you turn a piece that isn’t your style into something that matches your aesthetic.
By heading to thrift stores to find the furniture, you’re essentially guaranteed to find bargains. However, like many of the options above, delivery isn’t commonly available.
Some Thrift Stores Will Hold The Item
If you pay for the piece but can’t arrange for transportation immediately, some thrift stores will hold the item for you for a few days without an additional cost, giving you time to rent a truck or make other arrangements. But this isn’t available everywhere. If you can’t transport the furniture right away, ask the store if they can hold the item after you purchase it before you actually buy. That way, if that option isn’t available, you know that before you spend anything on furniture that you can’t move that day.
Do you know of any other ways to save money on a tight budget when buying furniture that could help others? Did you use any of the techniques above to save money while making a big purchase and want to tell others about your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read More:
- 5 Steps for Budgeting Your Finances
- 10 Creative Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget
- Budget Burnout: How to Keep Your Goals Realistic
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Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
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