Furniture is often one of the biggest expenses when buying a new home or doing a renovation. But buying new furniture doesn’t have to put a huge dent in your bank account. With these useful tips, you can replace your old furniture and redecorate your home with new ones at an agreeable cost:
1. Buy what you need
Asian countries, particularly Singapore, embrace the minimalist home design trend. With minimalism, you mostly stick with the bare essentials, so it is not uncommon to see a dining room with an attractive dining bench, a few chairs, and nothing else; or a home office with a multi-purpose pull-out desk and a space-saving chair.
Minimalism entails you to buy only what you need, which is the number one strategy for saving money on furniture. So, don’t overdo your furniture shopping. If you only need two chairs, buy only two chairs. If you only need a queen size bed, don’t go for the king size. And if you don’t need it, don’t buy it.
2. Buy from factory outlets
Buying directly from the manufacturer instead of a retail store can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If you have a factory outlet nearby, pay a visit to see if they have the furniture that you need. However, if the outlet is too far from your home, try shopping from online outlet stores. Even with the shipping costs factored in, you’re still more likely to save money.
3. Look for used furniture
You can find tons of great furniture from garage sales, estate sales, secondhand stores, and thrift shops. Used furniture won’t be in mint condition, but you don’t have to pay as much. Besides, you can practice your DIY skills when you clean, restore, and repaint old furniture. If you do it right, you can even get it looking brand new–but for a lower price.
4. Search for stuff online
People on the Internet may be looking to get rid of their old furniture for a very low price–sometimes even for free. Check out Facebook Marketplace, Craiglist, and other buy and sell websites to see if you can find furniture for a great bargain.
5. Wait for the right time
You can save a lot of money on furniture if you wait for sales at certain times of the year, usually when new models are about to hit the stores. Take advantage of the holiday seasons as well, since furniture stores often put up sales during holiday weekends.
Moreover, the salespeople at furniture stores usually have a commission basis compensation or sales quota. If you ask for a lower price at the end of the month or the quarter, they are more likely to indulge your wishes. If they can’t dock a few dollars off the price, maybe you can ask for freebies instead.
With these tips in mind and a little more effort to find the best deals possible, you can save money on new furniture and possibly even get more value for your money.
