The Best Places to Buy High-Quality Furniture on a Budget, According to Designers & Shopping Experts

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I love to shop. As a commerce writer, I shop for a living, so I’d better enjoy it! The best part of professional online shopping is that at the end of the day, I don’t have to actually pay for anything (true, I don’t get to own anything either. It’s more like professional window shopping). The point is, shopping is fun, but it’s the paying-for-it part that can be painful. That is, until you master the art of buying furniture on a budget. Then, buying stuff becomes a breeze, and even bigger expenditures like purchasing all the furnishings for a room or a house become satisfying (almost addicting) once you take inventory of how much you’ve actually saved.

Best Affordable Furniture Sites at a Glance

Best Overall: Wayfair
Best Shipping Options: Walmart
Best for Same-Day Delivery: Amazon
Best Return Policy: Kohl’s
Best Delivery Options: BJ’s Wholesale
Best In-House Brands: Target
Best Style Variety: Cost Plus World Market
Best Traditional: The Home Depot
Best Modern: Dot & Bo
Best Designer Dupes: Joss & Main
Best Discounts: Overstock
Best Flash Sales: One Kings Lane
Best for Small Spaces: Nathan James
Best Handmade: Etsy

If furnishing or redecorating a space on the cheap is on your to-do list, the trick is three-fold: learn how to identify quality budget furniture, how to score the best deals and where the best places to buy furniture on a budget actually are.

What to Look for When Buying Budget Furniture

Spotting low-priced furniture that’s actually worth it requires a keen eye and a knowledge of materials, first and foremost.

“When it comes to buying budget furniture, the goal is to find pieces that scream ‘great deal’ rather than ‘cheap mistake,’” says Heather Goerzen, Design Director at Havenly, to SheKnows. “As an interior designer with a penchant for both style and practicality, I can tell you it’s all about being a savvy shopper.”

“When shopping for furniture on a budget, take the time to find out what the piece is made of,” adds interior designer Megan Healy of Megan Healy Design. Healy emphasizes the importance of learning to spot craftsmanship details, too.

Here’s a cheat sheet, according to our pros:

Solid wood: “This will last much longer than wood veneer or laminate.”

Joinery over glue: “Quality furniture uses dowels, screws or brackets rather than just glue. Peek underneath or inside to see how it’s put together. If all you see is glue, it’s probably not built to last.”

Quality finishes: “In wooden furniture, a smooth, even finish indicates better quality. If the paint or stain looks blotchy or chips easily, it might not stand up to daily wear and tear.”

Sturdy upholstery fabrics: “When it comes to upholstery, opt for durable, tightly woven fabrics. Natural fibers like cotton and linen are great, but blends with synthetic fibers can also offer durability. Avoid anything that feels thin or looks poorly stitched.”

Sturdy rug fibers, preferably natural: “Rugs made of wool, for instance, are more durable and will feel better underfoot, compared to viscose, polyester, or rayon, which can be thin and have a tell-tale sheen.”

Weight: “Heft can be a good indicator of quality. A well-built piece will generally feel solid and weighty. If you can lift a dresser with one hand, it’s probably not going to withstand the test of time (or a rambunctious toddler).”

Another key indicator of budget furniture quality? Reviews. “In our digital age, there’s no excuse for not checking reviews. See what other buyers are saying about the piece. Pay attention to comments about durability and comfort after a few months of use,” says Goerzoen.

And learn which budget finds to prioritize. Healy advises to “invest in the big pieces, [like a] sofa or dining table, and go for less expensive lounge chairs, coffee and end tables, and accessories.”

How to Get the Best Prices on Furniture

Now for the good part: saving money! If you really want to find the best prices on furniture, wait for holidays and big savings events. “Retailers often drop prices across the board, including on high quality items. Major retailers and local places alike will offer sales. Black Friday is also a good time to find furniture deals and get more bang for your buck,” says Kristin McGrath, shopping expert at RetailMeNot, to SheKnows.

Another technique is showrooming: visiting physical stores to test out furniture, then searching across online stores for the same piece or something similar at the lowest price. “If the furniture piece is in a showroom, don’t be shy about sitting on it, leaning on it, testing it to see if it’s wobbly, opening and closing the drawers, etc. You’ll often be able to feel if something is flimsy,” says McGrath.

Here are 14 of the best places to buy online furniture. If you’re not sure where to start, start here.

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Wayfair & Walmart are SheKnows sponsors, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Wayfair

Amazon

Kohl’s

Walmart

BJ’s Wholesale

Target

Cost Plus World Market

The Home Depot

Dot & Bo

Joss & Main

Overstock

One Kings Lane

Nathan James

Etsy