We’ve all made lower-quality furniture purchases to save money, and it rarely works out well. From couches that start peeling to desks that can barely hold the weight of a computer, mass-produced or “fast furniture” offers the benefit of a cheaper upfront cost, but you’ll end up paying more for replacements over the years. Unfortunately, handmade and high-quality furniture can be quite expensive upfront. Despite higher-quality furniture lasting longer and costing less over time, not everyone can afford a major furniture budget. There are a few secrets you can learn that can help you lower that price tag immensely, allowing you to save without sacrifice.
Use Social Media
Social media is a modern yard sale accessible anywhere and at any time. Many people will try to resell their high-quality furniture when they move or no longer need it, and you can take advantage of a lower price. You can even negotiate a cheaper price with the right seller.
Peruse platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to see if there are any furniture brands or items you’re looking for. They may be gently worn, but you can secure some excellent deals through secondhand sellers like these. Just be careful of scams and stay safe when meeting sellers for the sale.
Visit Local Furniture Makers
Handmade furniture crafted from natural materials, such as solid wood, will last a lifetime and look absolutely gorgeous. It’s rarer to find handmade furniture these days in the sea of mass production, so you may want to look in your community for some local furniture makers. They’ll often charge a fair price per piece, and they may be able to work with you on pricing and payment plans.
Big-box or corporate furniture suppliers will typically inflate the price beyond its quality, which is what you need to avoid. In contrast, I found an Amish furniture store near me that offers excellent quality at reasonable prices. Search for options in your area; you may be surprised at what you can find within your budget.
Wait for Sales or Off-Season
If you don’t have an immediate need for furniture, you may want to wait for sales. Throughout the year, there are several sales periods that you can take advantage of, including New Year’s, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. Watch for your favorite pieces to go on sale during these promotional periods. You can also wait for popular or new pieces to drop in price when they go out of season.
Furniture sellers may lower furniture prices to make room for their latest pieces, and you can take advantage of that. Typically, the off-season usually occurs at the end of winter (January or February) or the end of summer (August to September). These times may vary per furniture maker or brand, however.
Peruse Secondhand or Consignment Stores
You don’t have to rely on social media for secondhand furniture if you’re not confident in your negotiation skills or prefer a more formal shopping experience. Secondhand or consignment furniture stores will sell used furniture for those who don’t want to deal with the hassle of doing it themselves.
On the buyer end, you’ll receive a traditional shopping experience and excellent discounts on high-quality, handmade furniture that often looks brand new. Check out thrift stores, secondhand stores, consignment stores, and furniture auctions to see if you can snag a deal.
Make Your Own Furniture
If you’re handy or would like to learn intensive crafting like woodworking or furniture making, you can opt to create your furniture. You can even reinforce or refurbish secondhand or cheaper furniture with higher-quality materials and finishes. If you have the time, energy, and skills, making your furniture can add wonderful personal touches to your interior design.
Prioritize High-Use Furniture
Suppose you truly can’t afford to splurge on higher-quality materials for all of your furniture pieces. In that case, you may want to only prioritize splurging on the furniture pieces that get a lot of “love” and would wear down faster if you sacrifice quality. Furniture, such as couches, dining chairs, beds, and mattresses, should be made of premium materials; otherwise, they can compromise your health if you opt for a cheaper alternative.
Consider Scratch-and-Dent Options
Some furniture brands or makers will significantly discount furniture that served as a floor model or received some accidental damage during transit or construction. You can use these discounts to your advantage, saving an average of 25% to 85% on “scratch and dent” models.
Most furniture stores have a section of the store dedicated to lightly damaged, gently used, or floor models that can help you save without sacrificing quality. You can always repair or spruce up minor issues if necessary. Otherwise, scratches or dents can tell a unique story that may even be stylish, depending on the style you’re looking for.
Conclusion
Even when you pay attention to used furniture, promotional sales, or floor models, you still may not be able to afford a big spend on furniture. Before giving up, explore the types of financing options available to you. Not everyone qualifies for financing, but as a last resort, you can try to see if you can pay off a furniture piece in installments instead of a major upfront expense. Many stores even offer no-interest financing, allowing you to pay at your own pace without incurring additional costs.
Consider every option you have to save money on furniture, and you may find that mass-produced furniture is a thing of the past. Do your research and explore all of your options; you never know what you might find.
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