How to Save on Furniture

Whether you rent or own a home, putting a roof over your head is probably one of your biggest expenses. So how do you find any money left over to put furniture in that home?

Knowing how to save on furniture can spare your budget thousands of dollars and help you stay out of debt. Since most people don't shop for furniture very often, it can be tough to gain enough experience to get good at it. We’ve got some helpful tips to get you started.

Furniture That Fits Your Life and Budget

Furniture is usually a big-ticket item. Well-made pieces that will last generally cost more. It's worth doing some planning to help keep your furniture purchases affordable. 

Furniture should never be an impulse buy. Figure out first what you need and how much you can afford.

Consider the following:

• How much space do you have?

• What pieces would make your living space comfortable?

• Will you be moving over the next few years—and if so, how will this change your needs?

• Do you plan on having children—or do you have children who will be moving out in the near future?

• How often will you use this piece—and will it get heavy or light use?

Once you've got some answers and a sense of your direction, start planning with a budget. Some thoughts that can help that budget take shape:

• List your needs by priority. You don't have to buy all your furniture at once, so decide what you need first. For example, if you don't own a bed, that will probably be a higher priority than an accent table for your living room.

• Calculate how much you can spend. Start with any savings that isn't tied up in a retirement account or other investments. Then look at how much money you could spare from your current paychecks. If you plan on borrowing to buy furniture, make sure you can afford the payments on that debt. 

• Decide how to budget. Look ahead, instead of just focusing on your immediate furniture plans. For example, it's probably not a good idea to spend so much on a beautiful dining room set that you won’t be able to afford to furnish the other rooms in your house for the next five years. 

• Think about where you can save. Mattresses and couches that get daily and nightly use should probably get more budgetary love than area rugs, side tables, and decor items. Nightstands, for example, typically don’t get heavy use.

You May Like These

Spring Survey: Consumers Plan to Buy Cars Despite Costs

Seven Easy Ways to Start Saving for Christmas

5 Tips to Improve Your Credit Score

Always Shop for Furniture With a Tape Measure

An inexpensive tape measure can save you from costly mistakes when buying furniture.

Measure carefully to figure out what furniture will fit. Start with room dimensions, but keep in mind the height and placement of windows that can affect where you'll want to place furniture.

Think about access. You might have a nice roomy space for a big piece of furniture, but if you have to carry it up a tight, winding staircase to get to that room, you might never get it there. Measure doorways and potential obstacles to getting the furniture in place.

Jot these measurements in a notebook, and bring your tape measure when you go furniture shopping. Don't try to eyeball it. What appears to be a moderately sized sofa in a massive furniture showroom might be way too big for your apartment living room.

Careful measurements can keep you from buying an unusable piece of furniture. Even if you can return the piece, you risk paying a return fee or a restocking charge.

Ask Friends and Family for Advice 

If you don't have a lot of experience shopping for furniture, you can learn from your friends and family. 

You may know people who recently bought furniture. In that case, ask them how they went about shopping and choosing. Ask where they shopped and whether they think they got a good deal. If you have a friend who loves home design and thinking about furniture options, see if they can offer some advice. 

Think about the homes you admire—and the ones you don’t. Learning what style works for you and what doesn't can save you some expensive trial and error when it comes to furnishing your home.

YouTube is filled with advice videos from home design people who can give you lots of inspiration and information. You might get some great, free ideas for style and furniture arrangement. 

Decide on Financing—For As Little As Possible

One of the most important parts of how to save when buying furniture is choosing the right payment method.

Cash is ideal: you avoid interest and other finance charges. You'll also avoid the impact on your credit score that may come with borrowing.  

However, furniture can be expensive, and you may not be able to afford to pay for a couch or dining room table all at once. Also, since furniture typically has a long useful life, it's not a bad thing to pay for over time.

You have a few options for financing:

• If you have equity in a home, a home equity loan can be a relatively cost-effective solution.

• If you have bad credit, a personal loan might be less expensive than a credit card, and the payments are predictable. 

• Using a credit card may make sense if you can pay off the balance within a few months. Otherwise, it’s an expensive way to borrow. In particular, be careful about store-branded credit cards, which are often more expensive than general-purpose cards. 

With any form of financing, budget before you borrow. Figure out in advance how you'll be able to pay off any debt while keeping up with your regular expenses.

Raise Cash to Offset the Cost of Buying Furniture

As you get ready to buy furniture, look for ways to raise some cash so you can avoid borrowing or at least reduce the amount you'll borrow. Here are some thoughts:

• Delay your purchases and save up in advance. You won’t have to pay interest on a loan or credit card balance. Also, saving up lets you see how much you can set aside from your budget without actually having to commit to loan payments.

• If you're replacing old furniture, try selling it off to raise money. Look around to find other possessions you might sell.

• Set aside any lump sums you receive, such as tax refunds or work bonuses. Those windfalls can boost your furniture budget.

Consider Secondhand Furniture Bargains

Secondhand pieces may not only still be usable, but they’re often retro chic or classics that mix easily into any period. And if you shop wisely, some good older furniture can be bought at a substantial discount. Older pieces are sometimes more solidly constructed than new ones and could last longer. 

Try secondhand stores in your area. These might be privately run stores, consignment shops, or outlets run by charitable organizations such as Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity.

Watch for garage sales and estate sales, which can turn shopping into an enjoyable outing. It's also an opportunity to find pieces that are a little more distinctive than today's mass-produced furniture.

Late spring can be a good time to look for garage sales. That's when a lot of people move and may be looking to downsize their possessions first.

Browse Before You Buy

Don't be in too much of a hurry to buy furniture. Browsing can be a good opportunity to get a sense of what different styles and functional pieces are available. 

Browsing can be more than an idle stroll through a furniture store. Think of it as research. If you've never furnished a place before, it may help you form more definite ideas about what you want. 

If you're shopping with a spouse or other person you'll be living with, browsing is a chance to compare notes on what you like and dislike. That way, you're more likely to get furniture you can both enjoy.

Browsing can also show you price ranges and give you more accurate information for your budget. It should also give you some idea of where to shop when you're ready to buy.

Compare Prices to Save on Furniture

As you browse, take note of any specific brands and models that attract you. Then, research them on the internet to find the best prices.

No need to limit yourself to a single retail outlet. When you comparison shop and learn the options, you’ll be more open to buying furniture in different places. Retailers will often advertise a great price on a few select pieces of furniture. Their aim is to lure people in and sell additional pieces at elevated prices.

Research allows you to cherry-pick the best bargains at different locations. 

More Tips for Saving on Furniture

Some other ways you might save money on furniture:

• Warehouse outlets offer discounts on furniture. The fancy stores in the best locations have a lot of overhead that shows up in their prices. Going off the beaten path to shop at less polished manufacturers’ outlets can save you that expense.

• Watch out for delivery charges. As you start comparing prices, find out whether the store has free delivery. A delivery charge could change your price comparisons. If you have access to a truck or a van you can use to transport the furniture yourself, you could save the cost of delivery.

• Ask about floor models. Naturally, you'll want to inspect a piece carefully before buying. However, a little scuff here and there might be worth the savings you can get on furniture that's been on display. After all, it's only a matter of time before you add a few dings to new furniture.

• Search online for coupon codes and other special discounts. For big-ticket items like furniture, any percentage savings could add up to meaningful dollars. 

Buying the right furniture can make your living space welcoming and comfortable. It will seem even more comfortable if you can do it while staying within your budget.