When it comes to interior design and home improvement, furniture typically requires a higher budget – especially if you are on the hunt for quality pieces. But did you know there are specific times during the year when these big-ticket purchases are often discounted in stores? Your careful timing can mean the difference between paying full price on patio seating or getting incredible deals on bed frames that can save you hundreds of dollars (or more!). Here is our guide on the best time to buy furniture so you know exactly when to start shopping for those sales.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Furniture?

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Picking the best time to buy furniture depends on what you are looking to purchase. Furniture can be divided into two categories – indoor and outdoor. Indoor furniture consists of living room, dining room, and office furniture, while outdoor furniture comprises patio furniture and other outdoor items.

Each of these two categories goes on sale during different times of the year,usually around major holidays and at the end of specific seasons when stock needs to be moved. Below are good times to shop for specific furniture categories if you want to save money.

When to Buy Indoor Furniture

While there are sales throughout the year, there are particular times when you will find better deals. The furniture industry operates on a bi-annual schedule (with fresh styles typically arriving twice a year), so it is in the months prior to receiving new inventory that retailers aim to move old stock out to make space for the new pieces to come in.

For new indoor items, such as bedroom sets, dining tables, and sofas, try shopping at the end of winter and summer. You will find plenty of sales at these season ends when the stores are discounting old furniture stock to make way for the new inventory for the spring and fall. Shop between January and February (end of winter) and between July and August (late summer) for great end of season sales.

Tip!

To get some help with selecting upholstery, read Furniture Fabric Guide: What to Look for When Shopping for Upholstery.

When to Buy Office Furniture

A good time to do office shopping is late summer since the new products (office desks, chairs, shelves, and cabinets) will hit stores in fall (October, November, and December). The best chance for lower prices is August and September when stores are clearing out old inventory.

When to Buy Outdoor Furniture

The best time to do your outdoor shopping is late summer and early fall as the warm weather draws to a close and people are focusing more on winter items like fireplaces and stoves. If you are looking to refresh your patio space, keep an eye out for those end-of-summer sales when retailers are trying to move their outdoor stock. From August to October, you will find plenty of sales of patio seating, tables, and other outdoor pieces. During the middle of summer, you won't find many sales as this is the highest time for demand.

Buy on Holiday Weekends

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You will find many holiday-driven promotions over the year where a range of items are significantly marked down. The largest furniture sale of the year is usually black Friday, but there are plenty of other holidays to find discounts too.

Presidents' Day: The third Monday in February is one of the greatest holiday weekends to shop for discounted indoor furniture. Stores need to make space for new pieces to come into their showrooms, and it is nearing the end of winter, so people are already focusing on their seasonal spring and summer outdoor items. Try to focus on indoor chairs and seating as well as dining or coffee tables.

Memorial Day: The last Monday in May is Memorial Day. You can find anything from patio sets to indoor furniture, and even mattresses all for sale – usually over the weekend, and in some cases, all week long.

July 4th: Since it is in the middle of summer, July is a good time to find deals on outdoor furniture as the warm weather is starting to draw to a close. The fourth of July in particular will be host to many sales.

Back to School: As schools begin to reopen, August and September are good months for office items like desks and office furniture sets. While there is plenty of stationery and electronics on sale, it is also a great time to look at office pieces like desks, cabinets, and chairs.

Labor Day: The first Monday in September is labor day, when you are most likely to find great deals on almost all types of furniture!

Black Friday: The Friday after Thanksgiving is another one of the largest sales of the year. It is suitable for those big ticket items that can be incredibly discounted, often for the entire weekend.

Cyber Monday: The Monday after Thanksgiving is when there are plenty of online sales to match those in-store Black Friday deals.

New Year's: Some retailers may offer New Year's discounts to help move their old stock and help you refresh your home.

Wayday: Wayday is our biggest annual shopping extravaganza. With us, you get the convenience of shopping from the comfort of your own home, never having to deal with crowded stores or feel pressured to purchase anything you are unsure of.

When Not to Buy Furniture

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While the focus here is on the best time to buy furniture,it's also important to take note of times you should avoid making purchases. Apart from the times when there are no sales, discounts, or deals that'll save you from paying full price, there are a few months to avoid when looking for specific furniture pieces.

Indoor Furniture: Avoid shopping for indoor items in February and August – you are less likely to find discounts during these times.

Outdoor Furniture: Try not to shop in the months leading up to warmer weather (early summer in particular), since everyone will be preparing to spend their time outdoors, making demand high.

Office Furniture: Don't shop for office furniture during the fall and early winter months (October, November, and December).

You want to prepare for the seasons before they happen.
Avoid shopping during the peak seasons where the prices and demand are highest.
Don't shop prior to holiday weekends – instead consider waiting for the sales that will likely come up over those periods.
Don't shop in the spring or fall when the new stock has arrived unless you are willing to pay full price.

Now you know when the best time to buy furniture is, you will have plenty of opportunities to save cash, and avoid paying full price!

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