How to shop the best furniture deals, according to Homes & Gardens' shopping editor

Whether you're renovating your whole house or shopping for select statement pieces, you'll know that the best furniture can be seriously expensive. A supportive bed frame, a comfortable couch, a durable dining set: the list goes on and the cost adds up.

As an eCommerce Editor, I spend my days window-shopping home retailers and specialist stores in search of deep discounts on furniture and decor. I know all the best places to buy affordable furniture and I want to share my hard-won wisdom with you.

Below, you'll find some quick links to my favorite furniture stores. For the purposes of this article, we'll focus on indoor furniture: there's a whole separate page for patio furniture deals. Then, I'll outline the pros and cons of the most popular furniture sales periods and explain a little more about what actually makes a good deal.

Where to find the best furniture deals

• Shop Wayfair's large and in charge furniture sale
• Shop coastal classics in the Serena & Lily 40% off sale
• Shop up to 50% off furniture from Pottery Barn
• Shop up to 70% off at West Elm
• Shop up to 50% selected furniture at McGee & Co
• Shop an extra 40% off the Anthropologie furniture sale
• Shop Walmart furniture deals
• Shop up to 50% off at Crate & Barrel
• Shop unique pieces at Lulu & Georgia
• Shop discounts on furniture at Target

When is the best time to buy furniture?

As a general rule, the best time to buy furniture is between seasons: January/February for fall discounts and July/August to scoop up summer savings.

This is when retailers slash their prices in a bid to shift old stock and make room for new models. You could score a deep discount on furniture in the off-season, as long as you're willing to be flexible on colors and fabrics.

Should I wait for a holiday weekend to buy furniture?

Most, but not all, major sales periods coincide with federal holidays, including Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving. You're likely to find the widest range of products at their deepest discounts, because so many stores are in direct competition.

If you can't wait for a holiday weekend, and you've got your eye on particular pieces, then it's worth researching specific store promotions. Often, furniture stores have anniversary sales, with around 20% off the entire site.

How can I tell if I've got a good deal on furniture?

Do your research

Refurnishing your home is a major investment, so you want to get it right the first time. My number-one piece of advice: try your best not to be taken in by deep discounts. The aim of furniture shopping is to find the fairest price on pieces you love, not the lowest price on any old thing.

I suggest you make a wish list of your favorite furniture outside of sales season and stick to it when deals start to drop. If you're shopping on a site that shows customer reviews or FAQs, make sure to read those thoroughly before you buy: it's the best indication of customer service and long-term performance.

See if you're eligible for special discounts

Research your favorite furniture store: you might find they run a newsletter, loyalty program, or social media account you didn't know about. Often, when you sign up, you're rewarded with a one-off special discount (somewhere in the remit of 10-20%) as well as early access to future sales.

Make purchases in stages

Trying to find all your favorite pieces at once is exhausting and expensive. You might be better off embracing a slow renovating approach and shopping for pieces individually or in smaller batches.

What's a good price for furniture?

My answer to this question varies from shopper to shopper: it completely depends on which pieces you're buying and how much you're buying at once.

When asked 'how much should I spend on a sofa?', our experts' answers ranged from $1,000 to $5,000. It depends on the materials, the size, the shape, and the brand.

I'm not going to sit here and list every item of furniture you might find in your home. Instead, I'll point you in the direction of a few of our most informative features, so you can find advice that's tailored for you. Here's where to spend and where to save in a home renovation, as well as how much you should budget for home renovations.

Once you've refreshed your indoor space, it's time to turn your attention to the great outdoors. You could save money on sun loungers, sectionals, and conversation sets when you shop the patio furniture deals.