How to get the best priced furniture

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Whether you are furnishing your dream house or your first apartment, finding high quality furniture at a reasonable price can be a daunting task. If youre looking for a chic set of furniture on a paupers budget, try one or all of these ideas for finding the best price furniture.

Tip #1: Shop the sales

This tried-and-true shopping strategy is your first option for finding inexpensive furniture. Large furniture showrooms usually have sales to clear inventory at the end of the seasons, or to coincide with major holidays, such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. If you need furniture during a non-sale period, go in anyhow to check out any sales that may or may not be advertised. Be sure to check out the clearance area, since this will be your best bet for finding a good deal. Also look in your local phone directory for furniture outlet stores that sell out-of-season furniture. When you visit the store, be sure to ask if the store has any traditional sales periods, or whether the furniture is already marked down to its lowest possible price.

Tip #2: Fix it up

Many times, furniture stores will sell slightly damaged or returned merchandise at a deep discount on the original price. Sometimes, the damage is so small as to be virtually unnoticeable unless you are looking for it. If the store has a scratch and dent area in the store, check this area out first. Usually, the type and location of the damage is listed on a tag attached to the furniture, but be sure to also check out the rest of the piece for unlisted damage. If the piece matches what you are looking for, consider whether the damage can be easily concealed or repaired, and whether the discount is significant enough to warrant buying damaged goods.

Tip #3: Mix and match

When looking for furniture that is used or on clearance, dont get caught up on finding a perfectly matched set of furniture, or else your options will be severely limited. Instead, look for pieces with a similar color palette or style. Try mixing bright solid colors, such as a red couch and red armchair, for a bold look. Or, combine a solid brown sofa with a wild zebra-print loveseat for an exotic look.

Tip #4: Be a model decorator

If your budget is a little larger and youre looking for a great deal on relatively new, very stylish furniture that has little wear and tear, check out new home developments that are nearing full occupancy. Many new developments will have at least one fully furnished model home for showing potential buyers. When the development is sold out, the developer will often sell the model home furniture or give it to a charitable resale store. Stop by the model home and ask the sales agents about the developers plans for the model home furniture, and ask for a contact phone number for the developer. If youre lucky, you can strike a favorable deal with the developer, and bag a room or house full of chic furniture.