3 Great Ways to Find Furniture without Breaking Your Budget
Nothing can refresh the look of your home like new furniture. But high-quality tables, sofas, and chairs can be extremely expensive, especially if you’re redoing an entire room. While some furniture stores have generous sales, it’s sometimes hard to know the substandard quality of an item until you’ve actually used it for a while. High-quality furniture made with expert craftsmanship is often well outside of the average person’s budget.
The good news is that every day, people offload furniture that is still in great condition. Items that once cost thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars, can be found only a couple of years later for a fraction of that cost. But where do you find these items? When you’re ready to update your home with some new furniture, you should start your search in the below places.
Thrift Stores
Thrift stores are a great place to find that “diamond in the rough.” With a great deal of searching and perhaps some imagination, you can find the perfect piece for your home. Thrift shops are a great way to find a piece that you can redo with a new coat of paint or some exciting fabric. If the experiment fails, you won’t have to worry about ruining a $5,000 piece of furniture. Don’t limit your search to the big chain thrift shops. You’ll likely find that you can find some of the most unique items at small local shops.
Yard and Estate Sales
Every Friday and Saturday morning, bright and early, you’ll find eager shoppers parked in front of houses around your city. If you join in, you’ll likely learn what they’ve learned—some of the best deals are being offered in front yards all over your city. For best results, search sites like Craigslist for garage sales and moving sales in your city and plan your route in advance. If you’re looking for high-end furniture, you may find estate sales are a better resource. Buying can be much more competitive at estate sales but with so much merchandise being sold, you’ll be much more likely to find something that suits your taste.
Craigslist
If you prefer to search for great deals from the comfort of your sofa, Craigslist is a must-use resource. Sometimes items are even put at the curb and listed for free on the site. However, for the best items, you’ll probably have to stop by the ATM and withdraw cash to pay. If you see a great deal on the perfect piece of furniture, contact the person immediately. If possible, ask the seller to meet you in a neutral place but for larger items, you’ll understandably be expected to go inside the person’s home. Take a friend with you and make sure a separate person has the address and time you’ll be meeting with the seller. Always listen to your instincts. If something seems off, decline to meet.
If you’re planning to revamp your home, new furniture is an easy way to make major changes. If you use some imagination and spend some time shopping, you can often find a great deal on a piece of furniture that will provide years of reliable use.
