Whether you’ve been saving up to buy some furniture to decorate your home, or you need to make an unexpected furniture purchase, there is no need to worry about the cost. Fortunately, there are a variety of places to shop, and many ways to save money on furniture.

Where to Shop for Furniture

1. Online
Acquiring furniture consists of two main steps: shopping and buying. Before you buy, you need to shop. By shopping online, you can get a better idea of what styles you like, and how much you can expect to pay for the furniture you need. You can also browse more stores in a shorter amount of time, without spending money on gas.

Once you have a better idea of what you need, and what you can expect to pay, start browsing stores to buy furniture. Look on a variety of different websites, including eBay, Ikea, Macy’s, Overstock.com, and Pottery Barn. If you peruse online auctions, discount shopping websites, and department stores, you can find a range of prices for similar items.

Pay close attention to the construction of the furniture, and compare prices for hardwood and laminate. Hardwood furniture lasts longer, but inexpensive laminate furniture can be an excellent choice if you plan on replacing it in the next five years.

2. Thrift Stores
A friend told me recently that he bought a really nice, sturdy dining room table at Goodwill. He brought it home, sanded it down, and painted the table. Best of all, he only paid $25 for it, and $20 for the restoration supplies. His wife loves the new table, and especially loves the price he paid.

You may have to put a little elbow grease into cleaning up used furniture, but in the end, you’ll have something cheap and unique that you can be proud of in your home. Pay close attention to scratches, dents, and other signs of wear and tear when shopping for used furniture. Determine whether you can fix the damage, or if you can live with it.

Watch for special sales days, to get the best deal on your used furniture. Goodwill and the other large thrift store chains offer additional savings on specific items in their stores during sales. Thrift stores also offer discounts to senior citizens.

3. Garage Sales/Estate Sales
In addition to thrift stores, garage sales and estate sales offer many treasures. Use your imagination when looking at pieces, to think how you might use them in your own home. For example, an old stereo cabinet could be a fun alternative to a newly constructed entertainment center. However, keep in mind that the furniture found at garage sales and estate sales may require some refurbishing.

A little luck finding the perfect piece never hurts, but try employing the buddy system, where friends and family members shopping at garage sales keep an eye out for the furniture you need.

4. Classifieds/Craigslist
Check out the classifieds and Craigslist to quickly find used furniture, without going from garage sale to garage sale. Use some creativity as you look through the listings to envision how you could restore and use each piece in your home.

Use a variety of words and phrases when conducting your online search on Craigslist. For example, search for wardrobes and armoires, couches and sofas, and end tables and side tables, to narrow your search and find the furniture you need.

5. Freecycle
The Freecycle Network enables people to give away their unwanted items to other people for free, as a way to recycle. Sign up on the website to begin searching for free furniture in your area. These items may need refurbishing, but since they are free, that certainly makes up for any supplies you may need to buy for restoration. When you use Freecycle, you also act as a good steward of our planet, by keeping waste out of the landfills.

6. Warehouse Clubs
When my husband and I were shopping for a bedroom set, we happened to receive a flyer in the mail from Costco. I occasionally shop at there, but I never knew that warehouse clubs sold furniture. After researching the Costco product line, we found deeply discounted, high quality furniture. They also offered free delivery for the items we purchased.

Based on my experience buying my Costco bedroom set, I would definitely shop at a warehouse club for furniture in the future.

7. Outlets
Outlet centers offer great deals as well. I bought furniture from a Pottery Barn outlet for a fraction of the original cost. Outlets do not always offer bargain prices, however, so make sure you comparison shop before buying furniture from an outlet mall.

Tip: Before you buy furniture from an outlet store, do some research to find out the original, pre-sale prices. Unless the furniture at the outlet mall is substantially discounted, you may want to wait and see if the item goes on clearance.

8. Clearance/Scratch and Dent Area
Many furniture stores have a clearance area, or a “scratch and dent” area, in the back of the store. When you enter, head straight for the back of the building. My husband and I found a table we wanted, along with some chairs, for a quarter of the retail price, mainly because each piece had a tiny scratch on it. If we had missed the clearance area, we would have paid full price for the table, and all of the chairs.

When you examine items in the clearance area, make sure to inspect the furniture carefully for damage. Remember, everything ended up in the clearance because it didn’t sell, so it may have scratches, stains, or other signs of wear.

9. Ikea
Ikea has a contemporary style, while providing unique storage in order to maximize your space. While Ikea does offer great prices, if their modern style does not match well with the motif of your home, you may not want to take the time to get lost in the store. Ikea has inexpensive furniture, but watch out; many of the items require self-assembly.

10. Auctions
Auctions offer another way to buy furniture for bargain prices. Visit auction houses in your area to find out more about the types of upcoming auctions they have planned. When you bid on an item, remember to stick to your budget. You don’t want to overbid or get caught up in the moment, and bid more than you can afford.

When buying used or antique furniture at an auction, examine it carefully beforehand. Look for evidence of wear and tear, scratches, tears, and other types of damage. Determine if the furniture needs restoration, and if it does need refurbishing, consider the cost of the work and the supplies as part of the overall cost.

11. Hand-me-Downs
Make sure friends and family know that you need furniture, and accept the gift of used furniture from them. It might seem embarrassing, but most people start out this way, by accepting an old couch or TV from a friend or family member.

You help your loved ones clear out some much-needed space in their homes, and they help you furnish your home. One day, you can return the favor, giving some of your gently used furniture to someone else in need.

Read more here: http://www.moneycrashers.com/proven-ways-save-money-furniture-store/