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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Buying budget furniture can seem like a daunting task because though you want to save where you can, you also want quality pieces for your home. "The key to shopping affordably is to be selective and look for items that are made with better materials so that they last longer," says interior designer Wilfredo Emanuel.
We researched dozens of retailers that offer budget furniture for all rooms of the house, have quality materials, and easy delivery. Our top picks include Wayfair's broad selection, a mid-century inspired collection from Amazon, and more.
Here are the best places to buy budget furniture.
Etsy
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Etsy
Most sellers are responsive
Unique, statement pieces
Shipping times can vary
If you've ever shopped on Etsy, you know it can be an incredible black hole. The general furniture category alone has almost half a million items, but the site is also a great place to shop for vintage furniture that's full of character—all while supporting small business owners.
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.
Return policy: Varies based on seller | Delivery options: Varies based on seller | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
Wayfair
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Wayfair
Fast delivery
Range of colors and prints
Furniture for all areas of the home
Furniture is often difficult to assemble
It's hard to find an item of furniture that Wayfair doesn't sell. Their accent chairs and vanity sets often have some of the most statement-making styles, like the bold yet versatile Mercury Row Rowell Vanity. When you just have that corner in a room that needs a stylish yet functional chair, you'll find sleek armless styles like the 17 Stories Tufted Upholstered Accent or wider designs that even swivel or come with a matching ottoman.
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.
Return policy: Within 30 days for most items | Delivery options: Home delivery, assembly for an additional fee | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
Amazon Rivet
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Amazon
Quick, easy assembly
Fast delivery with Prime
Quantities can be limited or sold out
Amazon's furniture selection runs the gamut from top-rated customer faves on brands you may have heard of to products that have longer shipping times and questionable quality. However, for a mid-century modern look at a budget-friendly price, Amazon's private brand, Rivet, simply can't be beaten. The selection includes a few reversible sectional sofas, tufted loveseats, and more. Some of their best-sellers include the Aiden Mid-Century Modern Sofa Couch, a vintage-inspired leather sofa with tapered legs and a sturdy wooden frame.
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.
Return policy: Within 30 days of purchase | Delivery options: Home delivery, assembly for an additional fee | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
Kaiyo
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Kaiyo
Curated selection of pre-owned pieces
Items inspected and cleaned
White glove service available in limited areas
Some delivery can take up to 6 weeks
Kaiyo is one of our favorite places to find secondhand furniture online, offering up to 70 percent off brand-name pieces. It's a great option if you're searching for a specific brand or style, as you can filter by each. We're especially partial to their table offerings, which range from mid-century to vintage to sculptured gold nightstands.
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.
Return policy: All sales final | Delivery options: Warehouse pickup, home delivery | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
Walmart
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Walmart
Affordable product protection
Fairly easy assembly
Many products made with laminate and MDF wood
Similar to a retailer like Amazon, Walmart also sells a wide range of products—and, of course, that extends to furniture. But unlike Amazon, you can actually head to the closest Walmart location and check the furniture out in person.
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.
Return policy: Within 90 days of purchase for most items | Delivery options: In-store pickup, home delivery | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
IKEA
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IKEA
Can customize closets
Easy to paint items or upgrade with knobs and pulls
Flat rate delivery fee for larger items
Assembly can be complicated
IKEA has been selling good-looking, nicely-priced products since the 1940s. Whether you choose to shop online or in one of the massive warehouse stores, you'll be guaranteed to find a huge selection of items like furniture, lighting fixtures, and textiles.
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.
Return policy: 180 days for used products | Delivery options: In-store pickup or home delivery | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
HomeGoods
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HomeGoods
Occasional name brand designs
Deals via the app
Limited selection online
$15 return shipping and handling fee
This brick-and-mortar company has more than 800 locations around the country and claims to offer brand-name items for up to 60 percent less than its competitors. Once upon a time, their only online presence was a simple page listing store locations, but now you can shop online. There, you'll find pieces like statement-making chairs, patio furniture, and unique decor accents.
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).
Return policy: Within 40 days of purchase | Delivery options: Home delivery | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
TJMaxx
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TJMaxx
Colorful selection
Great storage solutions
Limited supplies
Non-refundable return shipping
Similar to HomeGoods, TJMaxx used to have a thrill-of-the-hunt factor that required you to go into the stores to find bargain deals. You're still more likely to find those deals in the actual brick-and-mortar locations, but the e-commerce site also has a steady supply of online bargains—especially when it comes to ottomans or storage solutions. You can find ottomans and poufs for less than $50 and in a range of fun colors and prints. Many are handcrafted and have beautiful woven details that add texture to a room.
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.
Return policy: Within 30-40 days for most items | Delivery options: Home delivery | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
Overstock
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Overstock
Frequent sales
Fast delivery option
Tons of classic styles
Return policy varies for independent sellers
Price reductions are a clear part of Overstock's mission, with a "spin to win" widget clearly displayed on their homepage. Simply click it and you'll be offered an incentive like free shipping or 15 percent off. In addition to the deals you can score on the site, there are often even more sales on the app. These deals tend to be exclusive and if you're not ready to shop just yet, set up an alert on specific products. The app will send you notifications of new sales and price drops.
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.
Return policy: Within 30 days of purchase | Delivery options: Free standard shipping | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
Bob's Discount Furniture
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Bob's Discount Furniture
Range of delivery options
Easy assembly for most items
Virtually view how items will look in your space
Goof Proof protection doesn't cover all accidents
This nationwide retailer, which sells both online and in stores, has a mix of ways to get its furniture into your home, and the living room sets are great options. You can search for them based on material, the number of seats, and even arm styles. The coordinated sets often come in solid, classic hues like black, tan, or navy, but there are some occasional prints as well. Many of the couches and loveseats come with the Bob-O-Pedic memory foam which conforms to the shape of the body.
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.
Return policy: Limited returns | Delivery options: Home delivery, white glove service, assembly | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
Target
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Target
Tons of furniture for smaller spaces
Free virtual design service
Fast in-store pickup
May not fit everyone's design style
It's hard to find anyone who doesn't know the Target brand—but because the retailer sells so much, it can feel overwhelming to shop for furniture. Though Target sells a range of furniture (sofas, tables, desks, shelves, and more) at affordable prices, they really excel when it comes to colorful statement pieces. It's easy to shop for pieces by prints like florals, geometric patterns, or animal prints and even by color combos that perfectly complement one another, like red and gold or gray and silver.
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.
Return policy: Within 90 days for most items | Delivery options: In-store pickup and home delivery | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
Home Depot
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The Home Depot
Quality wood material
Can arrange professional assembly
Limited availability in stores
The Home Depot isn't just the place to pick up a few odds and ends to fix up your home; their furniture selection is vast enough to outfit every room in your house. For those seeking to upgrade their home office, specifically their desk, their selection includes thousands of desk options online. There are L-shaped desks for those larger office spaces, vintage-style writing desks, standing desks, and others that have glam accents like gold hardware. The quality is top notch and many of the products have great customer reviews breaking down the pros and cons.
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.
Return policy: Within 90 days for most items | Delivery options: In-store pickup, home delivery, assembly for an additional fee | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
All Modern
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All Modern
Free design services
2-day shipping
Return shipping costs
This Wayfair-owned online retailer focuses on, you guessed it, contemporary-looking furniture (as well as textiles, lighting, and more), and shopping here means you'll get perks like free shipping when you spend $35 or more and easy returns if you're within the 30-day window. And if you've suddenly got a hankering to redo your living room, many of the items can arrive within two days. The site makes it easy to find exactly what you're looking for, even if you're not quite sure what you need.
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.
Return policy: Refund or credit within 30 days on most items | Delivery options: Free shipping on items more than $35, fee for furniture assembly | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
Costco
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Costco
Quality leather
Delivery also available in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
Limited color options
Some items are for members only
Costco might be known as the place to buy bulk grocery items, but be sure to check out their furniture, too. This is especially true if you're in the market for a large leather sectional. The options for buttery soft brown, beige, and black leather couches are pretty endless. Some of them look quite similar, but the "compare product" feature makes it a bit easier to narrow down choices. There's also the option to search for couches based on left or right-facing sectionals.
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: 100 percent satisfaction guarantee policy, return time frame varies | Delivery options: Home delivery can take up to six weeks | Average wait time for bespoke items: N/A
For a retailer that offers a variety of budget furniture, it's hard to beat the selection from Wayfair, especially if you're in the market for an accent chair. Another wallet-friendly option is Amazon's Rivet collection, which offers a mid-century modern vibe—and thanks to Amazon Prime, super fast shipping.
What to Look for When Buying Budget Furniture
Range of Options
There’s nothing more inconvenient than shopping at a store or online that only sells a particular type of furniture. Not that there’s anything wrong with patronizing a retailer that does one thing well (couches, bedroom sets, etc.) but when shopping around for budget furniture, it’s great to choose a brand that has a range of choices. Our list of best places to shop for budget furniture includes stores that offer a wide variety of pieces for the bedroom, living room, outdoor spaces, and more. This is great if you don’t want to visit multiple stores or incur shipping fees from different retailers.
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.
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When’s the best time to buy furniture?
Just like purchasing outerwear or a swimsuit, certain times of the year are just better than others when it comes to buying furniture. January and July can be great times to find great deals before new styles are released. And, of course, there are holidays like Memorial Day and Fourth of July where shoppers can save more than 20 percent on some furniture.
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When on a budget, is it better to opt for new or used furniture?
The choice to buy new or used furniture can come down to budget, but also personal style. Buying new pieces can provide a more immediate solution if you know exactly what you’re looking for and have a specific type of furniture in mind, like a modular sofa that perfectly complements your existing decor. That same amazing piece can be found used, but it might take a bit more time to find just what you’re looking for. However, if you’re not beholden to a specific timetable, you can absolutely find used furniture that ranges from a functional, classic piece to a decor stunner that makes any space pop.
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How can you make furniture look more expensive?
One of the easiest ways to make furniture look more expensive is to add in the high and low mix, whether that means actual pieces or even material choice. A few stylish pillows or a throw blanket in materials like velvet or super soft fleece can make a wallet-friendly couch look way more expensive than its actual price tag. Also, just having one higher-end piece like a bedroom dresser or oversized couch can be the focal point of a room and then makes it easier to add in more budget-friendly choices. "A well-thought-out, curated room can make even the least expensive items look more high-end," says M+A Architects interior designer, Kim Frencho.
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.