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Q: I’m in the market for new furniture but want to make sure I get the best deals. Can you tell me when to look out for discounts and which months are the best time to buy furniture?
A: Whether you’ve recently purchased a home or are looking to spruce up your current living space, the cost of furniture is a significant factor in any redecorating budget. While furniture is generally expensive, there’s no reason to pay full price when there are so many deals to be found throughout the year. Depending on what you’re shopping for, there are certain months when you’re more likely to get a good deal. It’s important to note that indoor furniture and outdoor furniture go on sale at different times of the year, so keep that in mind when you’re planning your purchases.
For indoor furniture, buy at the end of winter or the end of summer.
Most indoor furniture follows similar pricing trends, regardless of whether you’re shopping for a couch, bedroom set, or dining table. While this may vary from retailer to retailer, new furniture generally hits the stores in spring and fall. Prices are lowest right before new stock is set to be released, so the two best times of year to buy indoor furniture are in late summer and late winter. These periods coincide with two major U.S. holidays, which bring even steeper discounts: Presidents Day in late February and Labor Day in the first week of September. Both holidays usher in major furniture sales as retailers try to clear out their stock.
Related: The Best Furniture Sliders to Protect Your Floors When Moving Furniture
For outdoor furniture, wait until the middle of summer or the beginning of fall.
Everyone wants to tackle yard and patio redecorating projects in spring and early summer, which is why that’s the absolute worst time of year to purchase outdoor furniture. In those months, demand is high and new collections have recently been released, so retailers have no reason to offer discounts. By midsummer, however, demand has slowed, and it’s time for stores to start clearing out their stock before winter. There are often sales on patio furniture and other outdoor pieces around the major summer holidays like the Fourth of July and Labor Day. While discounts may not be as high in July, you’ll have more inventory to choose from than you will in September. By late fall, there might not be much in stock, but you should be able to find some significant savings.
Related: The Best Outdoor Furniture Covers to Protect Your Patio Set and Grill
Look for deep discounts on furniture during Amazon Prime Day.
Amazon Prime members in the market for furniture should keep track of Prime Day deals. Buying large pieces online is becoming more common, and while Amazon always has impressively low prices, they drop even lower on Prime Day. This 48-hour sale period, which celebrates Amazon’s birthday, generally takes place in June or July, although it was pushed to October in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Interestingly, these discounts don’t appear only on furniture purchased on Amazon. Many of the online retail giant’s competitors hold sales at the same time in an attempt to bring in customers.
Shop online during Black Friday and Cyber Monday events.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are known as two of the biggest shopping days of the year for a good reason. Both online and brick-and-mortar stores tend to feature their most significant discounts in the lead-up to the holiday season. While Black Friday and Cyber Monday used to each be relegated to a single day, they now encompass a whole week—or more—of sales. Many retailers announce their sales in advance, so you can start planning as Thanksgiving approaches.
For home office furniture, look for back-to-school sales in late summer.
Unlike so many other products, home office furniture is typically on sale right when you need it: around Labor Day. This marks the start of the school year in most districts, and it’s when back-to-school sales abound. Many retailers get their new stock of desks, filing cabinets, and office shelving in October, so in September, you’ll be able to snag great deals on last year’s models.
