Furniture is one of the major purchases people have to make for their homes. When it comes to furniture you can either get what you want for a great price or you’ll end up spending money on something you won’t want for a long period of time. There are a few tricks that can help you stretch your budget a lot further than you could have ever imagined. If you keep an open mind you can get an amazing set of furniture that you might want to keep and pass down from generation to generation, which will only further the savings. Now, when it comes to buying a new sofa you’ll never have to stress out about the budget again.

1. Always Shop Second Hand
Buying furniture doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend a lot of money for brand new furniture. If you really want to get the most for your money then you should look into second hand shops before you ever enter a new furniture store. There are many second hand stores around that range from thrift stores to stores that actually major in selling used furniture. If you don’t have luck in these areas then you can always try yard sales or online sites like Craigslist. You might even look into your local listing and find an auction to try to get a good deal on a set of furniture. Sometimes people will give away furniture that is barely used, or you might find something vintage that will get you an amazing look. When you do find something you like you might want to closely inspect it, especially if you found it on Craigslist. Sometimes people will give away items that are infested with bedbugs or other pest, so by inspecting the items you will prevent the pest from entering your home which could end up saving you thousands of dollars, especially if your home insurance doesn’t cover infestations.

2. Heirlooms
Family heirlooms can be one of your biggest helpers when it comes to paying less for furniture. If you have a piece that was built by your family or as simply been passed down then make to hang onto it. The same can be said for an item you don’t have. Perhaps if you have a relative that has the piece in storage and you could use then you might want to keep asking about the item. Perhaps, one day they just might give it to you. A lot of people end up giving away various heir looms because they believe they don’t need them in the home or might not ever have a place for them. Life changes quickly though so make sure you hold on to items that have been a part of your family’s life. You never know when you’re going to need a show piece or something old to make a statement. If you don’t have room then move the piece into storage until you can find a safe place for it. Family heirlooms are always nice for a conversation piece and to hand down to the next generation when the time comes.

3. Build Your Own
If you’re skilled with woodworking then you can always look into building your own set of furniture. This not only ends up cheaper, but gives you a sense of pride in your work which will make your home have a welcoming atmosphere. When it comes to buying wood you can buy some of the most expensive types and still end up saving a whole lot of money on the furniture. If you haven’t built your own furniture before you might want to start out with a small end table or a dining room table. These designs are usually fairly easy to follow so you can get a hang of the look and technique you want to work with. Sometimes you can even find a place to rent tools for very cheap which will allow you to have total creative freedom. If you like making furniture you might even find it to be a lucritive hobby if you can find the right type of buyers.

4. Outlet Stores
If you don’t want to be anything but new furniture then you might want shop at an outlet store before going to a specialized furniture shop. Outlet stores tend to get furniture that is mass produced or another store incorrectly ordered it. This means that you can get a great set of furniture for a lot lower than you’d pay otherwise. You might also find furniture that has mild flaws that aren’t even noticeable at an extremely low price might feel like a steal. If you don’t have an outlet store near you then you might want to try a bulk store. Sometimes, bulk stores will have some of these items for an incredible price.

5. Browse Online
Shopping online can be one of the best ways to save money on furniture. You don’t have to order from the internet if you don’t find a better deal but you can always browse a lot of different sites to find the best price. One of the best things about browsing online is you get to check out the furniture so you can get an idea of what you like. This is especially good when you go into the store so you won’t feel pressured by a salesmen to get something you don’t want. Usually when you shop online you will know exactly how much you’re going to pay for your furniture item, so you don’t end up paying excess fees. Sometimes you might even be able to order the furniture you want and have it shipped to the store nearest you so you don’t have to take something less than you want.

6. Buy Floor Sample
If you’re looking to spend a little bit less on your furniture then don’t be afraid to buy the floor model. Typically furniture stores will give you a discount on anything that is sold off of the floor because the item has already been lightly used. If the sales person won’t allow you to do this because there is another model in the back then ask to be put on a call list so they can call you when they are willing to sale the item. Depending on the damage the furniture has you should get around 10% off of the sales price, which is enough to make a difference for anyone that is on a tight budget. If you want to be eclectic you can choose a bunch of different chairs from the floor so you can have an awesome look that will cost you a whole lot of money.

7. Fix Up Old Furniture
Just because your furniture is looking drab doesn’t mean you have to get rid of it or replace it. Instead try to fix up the furniture so it will match your home and look like a brand new piece you will want to show off. If your furniture is covered in scratches and scuffs then take a walnut and rub it against these areas. The walnut will actually get rid of these problems so your furniture can have a fresh look that will only cost you a dollar or two. Of course, if you’re looking to switch things up then you might want to add a nice stain to your wooden furniture to give it a look that will highlight your keen taste. Some items like chairs or the sofa can easily be reupholstered to make the item look great again. If you’re looking for a more minimalist look then cut down your table or beds so they rest a bit closer to the ground. With a little bit of TLC to your current furniture you won’t have to break out a lot of money to improve the way your home looks.

8. Plan Your Shopping
Planning can be one of your biggest favors when you go shopping for furniture. A lot of the time if you end up shopping early in the season or the month you’ll have a hard time negotiating with the sales person because he or she will still have time to meet quotas even if they don’t get a sale from you. When you shop towards the end of the selling season or month then you will have an easier time negotiating for a price has the salesperson is more than likely going to want to get the sale to finish off the sales quota. You might find that you have a bit more control over what you buy during this period so you if you can try to wait before you go shopping. You could also go shopping multiple times during the season, but wait until the end before you make your buy.

9. Skip Delivery
Delivery fees can run you a whole lot money if you aren’t careful so try to avoid them if you can. If you have your own truck or know someone who does then it might be best if you move the furniture yourself. If you’re certain you are going to purchase something then bring the truck along so you can take your items right away. This is definitely one of the perks since often enough you will end up waiting days to get your furniture. Sometimes, they can’t deliver your goods until late at night which just becomes a huge inconvenience before it is all said and done. You also don’t want to have to deal with mover scuffing up your items or damaging you home’s space. If you transport the items yourself you know exactly what you’re getting and won’t have to deal with any third parties when it comes to your items.

10. Disassembled Furniture
When you buy items that aren’t yet assembled you get a slight discount because it means the company had to do less work on your items. It also takes up a lot less space in the delivery truck if you choose to have your items delivered. Disassembled items might require a few tools if you’re plan on putting them together on your own so keep this in mind before you order the item. Generally these items come in thinner boxes which make them perfect for anyone who is planning on moving before putting the furniture together. This can be one of the best ways to save money on moving and furnishing the home alike so make sure you ask if you can purchase it still in the box when you purchase your goods.

Furniture is a major part of your household so don’t stress out over how much money it cost. There are many different ways to avoid huge prices when furniture is involved so don’t panic right away. If you take a step back and do a lot of window shopping before you settle on a purchase then you will find you save a whole lot more than you would have expected when you originally began shopping. These tricks will have you excited for you new purchases instead of forcing you onto a ramen diet.

Author: Chelsey McQuitty