Here are the best places to buy budget furniture. On their site, you can find modern styles, more minimalist pieces, mid-century modern, and so much more. There’s also a great selection for DIY additions like knobs and hairpin table legs if you want to upgrade any of your current pieces. To truly narrow down your selection, use the handy filters to refine for price, shipping time, style, and seller location. An honorable mention has to go to the makeup vanity sets, many crafted from solid wood, that work for a range of bedroom or bathroom decor schemes and provide the perfect amount of storage for any makeup or beauty products. Wayfair often has sales going on, but for extra savings, some pieces have “Open Box” pricing, which is an item that’s been returned by a customer, inspected, and sold for a discount. To save even more, look for products that have a gently used version, which knocks off a few dollars. Also, the Featured Deals section has sale items that can be up to 30 percent off. Many of the smaller items like ottomans, tables, and even some of the couches have fast delivery via Prime, but some products state delivery may take longer due to size or weight. How it works: Individual sellers sell their goods to Kaiyo and, after receiving and inspecting the items, they’re listed on the site. While pieces are by no means cheap—some cost upwards of a few thousand dollars—you can still find prices significantly lower than buying new. The more statement-making finds are great for when you’ve had your eye on a high-end piece but don’t want to pay the full price. Kaiyo cleans all incoming furniture industrial-grade equipment and, depending on your area (NY, NJ, CT), the company offers white glove service in as little as two days. Other areas rely on third-party delivery, which takes at least two weeks. One particular category we recommend perusing is the TV stands, which are available from a range of brands. The stands can accommodate televisions that are in the 80-inch range or smaller ones for more compact spaces. There are quite a few that have storage for items you want to keep accessible, like the modern Whalen Payton 3-in-1 Flat Panel TV Stand. With many items offering a 90-day return, you’ll have ample time to try an item out before deciding it’s for you. Just note that items that have been delivered or picked up from a store have to be returned to the store. And for products that aren’t sold directly from Walmart, the return policies can be different, so it’s always great to read the fine print. In addition to being a great furniture option for those just starting out (think: college students or first-time apartment dwellers), the retailer also has some solid options that can work for a range of styles, especially if you want to create a custom closet wardrobe system. The Billy Bookcase and Pax Wardrobe System are two popular options that can be configured in countless ways. There are a few ways IKEA passes the savings onto you: nearly everything comes flat-packed and must be assembled yourself, unless you opt for their $69 assembly service. If you’re shopping in person, we recommend checking the stock online before you go. You can find out how many units are available, which warehouse aisle to visit, and even use the “Click and Collect” option to order ahead. While shopping in person, you’ll find more one-of-a-kind selections. Make sure to snatch items up quickly, as it’s unlikely the same piece will be there the next day. And if you see an item with minimal damage you can live with, don’t be shy about seeking out a manager and asking for an extra reduction (shoppers have been known to save 5 to 10 percent for things like small dings). Understandably, the quantities of these affordable goods can be quite limited, so you’ll need to commit to your purchase pretty quickly. For some larger items, the shipping returns have a surcharge, and items returned in stores have a return window of up to 40 days after purchase. For overall home inspiration—especially for the bedroom or living room—Overstock’s Explore Rooms section has a range of photos to get your creative juices flowing. Search through all the pics or narrow the selection based on styles (e.g., glam, hygge, rustic). Each photo links to similar or the same items available on Overstock. While shopping, you might notice the option to add on Goof Proof protection. This five-year warranty can range from $40 to $400, depending on the price of the actual furniture. It covers rips, scratches, stains, and more. Also, Bob’s has a few delivery options from basic in-store pickup to white glove delivery that includes delivery, assembling, and removal of any trash. The luxe-for-less feel of many of the bar carts, side tables, and upholstered chairs is sure to make any space feel a bit more elevated. Also, Target’s exclusive collections with brands like Jungalow and Hearth & Hand offer selections for those who want something that’s more colorful or classic, respectively. Shop even easier by selecting desks not just based on price, but also features like additional storage, an open back, USB ports, and more. And after selecting the perfect desk, there’s no shortage of desk chairs to choose from. For extra savings, the Special Buys section offers greatly discounted prices. The “Room Ideas” section is especially useful: you choose an image that inspires you, and the site will generate a Pinterest-esque page with products from the photo, noting whether they’re exact matches or “something similar.” It can be helpful to choose a photo with a piece (like a couch) that resembles something you already own and love. The pieces have a modern edge, but with a classic style and each furniture category has a sale section. Shipping varies based on how close you are to a warehouse, but there’s also a quick ship option for select goods. And while membership is necessary to shop in stores, anyone can shop for furniture via the Costco website, with a few pieces reserved solely for members.
Return Policy
Shopping for furniture, especially if you’re doing so online, can come with a set of challenges and making returns has to be one of the biggest hassles. That’s why it’s so important to read every store’s return policy and especially look at the fine print. Some retailers make returns a breeze with free pickups from your home, but other experiences might be less convenient if you have to re-package and return a large item like a dining room table or sofa. Not only can this feel like a hassle, but it can be quite expensive in some cases, which ends up making that affordable piece of furniture quite costly.
Delivery and Assembly
Many retailers will advertise free shipping for most furniture, but that’s not always the case. Before checking out online, be sure to calculate your shipping costs, which usually entails entering your delivery zip code. Some businesses will charge a flat fee, while others base the total delivery cost on weight or order amount. Assembly is another issue to factor in. A store like Ikea is known for keeping prices low, but you have to assemble the furniture yourself. You can pay an extra fee for a third-party to assemble furniture and some stores like Bob’s Discount offers white glove service which includes assembly of the furniture in your room of choice.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This roundup was updated by Patrice J. Williams, who has been writing gift guides for The Spruce since 2020. She researched notable brands for unique, quality, but wallet-friendly furniture items. In addition to extensive research, she consulted with interior designers Wilfredo Emanuel and Kim Frencho for tips on finding the best budget furniture and ways to make a space look expensive and luxe.
