Whenever you’re upgrading your home, it pays off to research beforehand. This is because the home decor industry is cyclical. So, when brands make room for new launches, they often offer good deals to sell their previous stock. And that’s when we can snag a good deal.
In fact, the pros say because furniture is quite a hefty investment, it’s always a good idea to not pay the full price for a piece. And you can do so by shopping at the right times of the year. This helps you save money and maximize returns.
In this blog post, I’ll share some insider tips to help you snag good furniture deals, as well as the best time of the year to buy furniture. So, let’s get started.
Best Time to Buy Furniture
It’s true that you can find furniture deals at almost any time of the year. But during some months, you can find steeper deals. Let’s categorize the best months to buy furniture based on the type of furniture you’re looking for:
Indoor Furniture
You can snag the best deals when you understand the retail cycle. Most furniture stores introduce new collections twice a year, in spring and fall. And so, the cycle operates on this biannual schedule.
This means if you’re looking to get a good deal on indoor furniture, you’ll want to start shopping in the months right before the new collections reach stores. So, the best months to buy indoor furniture will be January and February (towards the end of the winter months). And, likewise, during August and September (late summer).
Outdoor Furniture
New outdoor furniture collections usually hit stores between mid-March and mid-April. And so, for outdoor furniture, experts say the best time to purchase is somewhere between the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
This means late summer and early fall are usually the best months to take advantage of outdoor furniture sales. (Especially so because during these months, the demand for outdoor sets drops). Also, if you're looking for inspiration, here are some great patio couch set ideas.
Pro Tip: Waiting until summer/late summer for purchasing any kind of furniture is actually recommended by so many experts. It may be tempting to buy furniture around Black Friday or winter sales, but I’d recommend looking for deals during the summer months if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck.
There are also particular summer holidays that offer the best deals; see the next section for more.
Home Office Furniture
If you’re looking for desks, chairs, narrow wall bookshelves, bookends, and filing cabinets for your home office, I recommend waiting until back-to-school sales. These run August through September, when stores are clearing out their old lines before the new ones come in stock.
Custom-Made Furniture
Because custom furniture is made as per your taste and needs, it’d be tough to land a good sale with it. This is because retailers don’t need to move their pre-made stocks out before launching new collections (which are typically created on demand). You may want to keep an eye out for a few weeks when buying custom furniture. But, generally, experts recommend purchasing as you need when it comes to custom furniture, as they are less likely to offer deals.
Best Holidays to Buy Furniture
Because furniture is a seasonal item, you’d be better off waiting for end-of-season and clearance sales. But, if the need arises and you can’t wait for too long, many holidays around the year offer some decent discounts, too.
President’s Day
Early in the year, many retailers are eager to offer discounts on old styles to make room for new ones. So, President’s Day (in February) makes for one of the best holiday weekends to buy discounted furniture.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is the last Monday in May—another time when retailers offer great discounts. During this holiday, you’ll often find furniture sales that stretch for over a week.
Fourth of July
Fourth of July is hands-down one of the best holidays for furniture shopping in the U.S. (also because it marks the middle of summer). During this holiday, you can find great deals on outdoor furniture.
Labor Day
The first Monday in September marks Labor day, when the entire country celebrates the achievements of American workers. During this holiday, you’ll find good sales for almost all types of furniture.
Black Friday
This Friday, following Thanksgiving Day, is one of the biggest days of the year for sales. Many brands will continue these sales all the way to Cyber Monday.
Other Furniture Deals
Apart from suitable months (end-of-season discounts) and holiday sales, there are also other times you can snag a good deal. For example:
Promotions
Many furniture stores have loyalty programs or VIP events that offer exclusive discounts, sometimes reaching 20% off. Consider signing up for these programs at your favorite companies to get early access to special offers. (You’ll typically be notified via email).
Amazon Prime and Wayfair Way Day
Online retailers also offer day deals on their furniture collections. July brings Prime Day, a boon for Prime members with access to deals on Amazon’s furniture brands like Rivet and Stone & Beam. (These are known for their modern and traditional pieces). If mid-century modern is your style, this is a prime time to snag a sectional at a discount 😉 Alternatively, Wayfair’s Way Day in April offers similar savings. You can reach up to 80% off, especially on patio furniture.
Tax-Free Times
Some states have tax-free holidays specifically for furniture purchases. For example, New Mexico and Massachusetts. This usually lasts for a few days to a week per year, and can translate to substantial savings. So, be sure to check if your state offers such a program.
Worst Time to Buy Furniture
There are also some months of the year when you actually shouldn’t buy furniture. New furniture collections typically hit stores in spring and fall—with retailers aiming to update their showrooms (or websites) by April and October. This means you’ll likely find full price tags during these peak seasons. Well, unless you grab a deal during specific sales events, like Way Day or Memorial Day.
Best Brands to Buy Furniture
If you’re looking for brands to subscribe to—or keep an eye out for sales—I’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best furniture brands for indoor and outdoor furniture.
Best Indoor Furniture Brands
Best Outdoor Furniture Brands
Final Words
There definitely are times of the year when it’s better to buy furniture if you’re hoping to save a buck. But, at the end of the day, it really depends on your priorities. For example, if you’re eyeing the latest model of a sectional, you may want to purchase it as soon as it launches. This is because waiting for good deals can make you miss it altogether. If, on the other hand, you’re not super concerned with the models, it sure is a great idea to watch out for deals.