Find out the Best Time of Year to Buy Furniture

In the market for new or used furniture, and wondering when to shop for the best deal? Here's the scoop on the best time to buy everything from sofas to patio furniture.

Best Months to Buy New Indoor Furniture: January or July

New furniture styles hit the showroom floor twice a year (in February and August). Since stores need to make room for all those new arrivals, you can expect to see drastic price cuts on all remaining inventory.

This includes floor models, so be sure to ask about sample pieces, if you don't see them priced.

Most furniture stores are willing to haggle, so don't hesitate to ask them to sweeten the deal further with a discount or freebie.

Best Months for Buying New Outdoor Furniture: August Through October

Make do with some folding chairs, until the end-of-season sales hit in late summer and early autumn. Stores won't want to store their unsold patio furniture until next year, so everything will be deeply discounted. This makes it the perfect time to save, or snag better quality furniture than you could normally afford. Just don't wait too long to shop. The best selection will go to those who shop early.

Best Months to Buy Office Furniture: April After Tax Day or August

There are often sweet office furniture deals to be had on the day after Tax Day. But, you can also find deals during the back-to-school sale season in August and September.

If you can wait for the end of September, you may be able to score additional savings on floor models and overstock.

Best Months to Buy Used Furniture

Summer is prime moving season, so thrift stores and consignment stores are usually flush with inventory during July and August. As families pull up stakes to move to new digs, lots of high quality furniture gets left behind.

Stop in weekly to see what stores have gotten in.

Another good time to shop thrift stores: January. People rush to make donations at the end of the year, so they can grab a final tax deduction. This means lots of new inventory coming in.

Yard sales are also worth checking out. Moving sales and estate sales usually have the best used furniture, but wealthier neighborhoods are also a good bet.

Local Sales

Keep your eyes open for going-out-of-business sales at local furniture stores. And be sure to check Craigslist and local Facebook garage sale groups for furniture deals.

Refresh Your Bargaining Skills

If you're a person who always pays the price on the sticker, it's time to sharpen your bargain shopping skills. When buying furniture, the sticker price is almost never the final price. Be prepared with an opening offer that is 10% or more below the lowest price listed. And if you find a piece that you love, write down the name and model number, so you can go home and compare prices before you make your purchase.

Huffstetler, Erin. "Find out the Best Time of Year to Buy Furniture." The Balance. 3 July 2017. https://www.thebalance.com/best-time-to-buy-furniture-1387769.