Furniture prices are not fixed. The same sofa can cost hundreds less in one month than in another. The best time to buy furniture is late winter, in January and February, and late summer, in August and September. Stores cut prices in those months to clear space for new styles. Big holiday weekends also bring strong sales.
Below is a simple calendar, the upcoming sale dates, and tips to get the lowest price.
Why Furniture Prices Change During the Year
Furniture follows a twice a year cycle. New indoor styles reach stores in spring and fall. Before new stock arrives, stores need room on the floor and in the warehouse. So they mark down the older pieces. That pattern is the main reason the best time to buy furniture falls just before each new season.
Holiday weekends add a second layer. Retailers know people have time off to shop, so they run big promotions on those dates.
Month by Month Furniture Sales Calendar
This calendar shows the best time to buy furniture in each month of the year, and what usually goes on sale.
| Month | What to Expect | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| January | Clearance after the holidays | Sofas, dressers, dining sets |
| February | Presidents’ Day sales | Indoor furniture, mattresses |
| March and April | New spring styles arrive, fewer deals | Outdoor furniture shopping starts, but prices are high |
| May | Memorial Day sales | Mattresses, outdoor furniture |
| June | Steady, smaller sales | Small pieces |
| July | Fourth of July sales, Amazon Prime Day | Indoor pieces, office furniture |
| August | Summer clearance, back to school | Desks, dorm and apartment basics, outdoor furniture |
| September | Labor Day sales | Sofas, beds, outdoor furniture |
| October | New fall styles, few markdowns | Research and price tracking |
| November | Black Friday and Cyber Monday | Almost everything |
| December | Leftover deals, low stock | Floor models and clearance |
NerdWallet’s guide on when to buy furniture points to the same two windows: late winter and late summer.
Upcoming Sale Dates
If you are planning around the best time to buy furniture, mark these dates:
- Black Friday: November 27, 2026
- Cyber Monday: November 30, 2026
- Presidents’ Day: February 15, 2027
- Memorial Day: May 31, 2027
- Fourth of July: July 4, 2027
- Labor Day: September 6, 2027
Many sales start several days before the holiday and run through the weekend. Wayfair also holds its own Way Day sale. In 2026, spring Way Day ran April 25 to 27, and Wayfair has held a fall Way Day in late October in recent years.
Best Time to Buy Furniture by Type
Different pieces go on sale at different times. Here is the best time to buy furniture by category:
- Sofas and chairs: January, Presidents’ Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday.
- Mattresses: Presidents’ Day and Memorial Day.
- Outdoor furniture: July through September, with the deepest cuts after Labor Day.
- Desks and office chairs: August and September, during back to school sales and before new fall models arrive.
- Custom pieces: These rarely go on deep sale. Watch for holiday weekends, when some brands offer a set discount on custom orders.
- Dressers and bed frames: January and Labor Day.
If you need a sofa soon, our list of sleeper sofas under $1,000 shows what good options cost before any sale.
When Not to Buy Furniture
Knowing the worst months is just as useful as knowing the best time to buy furniture. Avoid paying full price in March, April, and October if you can wait. New styles land in stores during these months, and stores have little reason to discount them.
Also be careful in the weeks right before Black Friday. Compare the sale price with the price from a month earlier. A big “percent off” label does not always mean a real deal.
Online vs In Store Sales
The best time to buy furniture is the same online and in store, but the deals work a little differently.
- Online stores often have a bigger selection and run flash sales. Check shipping fees, delivery dates, and return costs. A low price can lose its value if returns cost $100 or more.
- Local stores let you sit on and test a piece. Staff may lower prices on floor models or older stock, especially near the end of a month.
- Large chain stores like IKEA have As is sections with returned and display pieces at lower prices all year.
How to Tell if a Sale Is Real
Not every sale is a good deal. Before you buy during what looks like the best time to buy furniture, run these quick checks:
- Look up the price a few weeks before the sale. If it went up first, the discount is smaller than it looks.
- Compare the same item at two or three stores.
- Read the return policy. Some sale items are final sale.
- Check delivery fees and assembly costs. They can add a lot to the total.
Be careful with financing offers. Many stores promote 0% interest plans during sales. Some of these use deferred interest, which means you owe all the back interest if you do not pay the full balance in time. Read the terms before you sign.
Money Saving Tips for Any Month
You can still save even when it is not the best time to buy furniture. Try these tips:
- Ask about floor models. Display pieces often sell at a large discount.
- Look for discontinued items. Stores clear old colors and fabrics to make room.
- Check scratch and dent sections. Small marks on the back or bottom rarely matter.
- Track prices. Add items to your cart or a wish list and watch for drops.
- Negotiate in person. Local furniture stores often have room to lower the price.
- Buy used. Facebook Marketplace and thrift stores sell good pieces any time of year.
- Join email lists. Many stores send early sale access or a welcome discount.
Before you shop, read about the things renters waste money on so you do not overspend on items you can skip.
Timing Furniture Around a Move
Many people buy furniture right after they sign a lease. That rarely lines up with the best time to buy furniture. A little planning helps.
- Before you move. Measure the new place and make a list. Watch prices for a few weeks so you know what a good deal looks like.
- Moving week. Buy only what you need to sleep and work, like a mattress, bed frame, and a simple desk or table.
- First few months. Buy larger pieces like the sofa and dining set during the next big sale.
- Delivery time. Large items can take weeks to arrive. Order early if your move date is close to a holiday sale.
Should You Wait for a Sale?
Waiting makes sense if the item is large and you can live without it for a while. A sofa or dining set can drop by a large amount during a big sale. For small items under $100, the savings are usually too small to wait for.
If you just moved, buy only what you need now, like a mattress. Then plan bigger purchases around the best time to buy furniture. Our realistic first apartment budget and our guide on how to budget for an apartment can help you plan what to buy first. You can also compare prices across big stores in our Wayfair vs IKEA price breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are short answers to common questions about the best time to buy furniture.
What is the cheapest month to buy furniture?
January is often the cheapest, thanks to clearance sales after the holidays. Late August and September are close behind. Both fall within the best time to buy furniture, when stores clear old stock.
Is Black Friday a good time to buy furniture?
Yes, for many large pieces like sofas and beds. Still, compare Black Friday prices with prices from September. Black Friday is part of the best time to buy furniture, but only if the discount is real.
When do furniture stores have clearance sales?
Most clearance sales happen in January and February, and again in August and September. That is the best time to buy furniture that is being replaced by new spring and fall styles.
Final Thoughts
The best time to buy furniture is late winter and late summer, plus the big holiday weekends like Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. Avoid buying new arrivals in spring and fall at full price. Track prices, ask about floor models, and plan big purchases ahead. With a little timing, you can save a real amount on every large piece you buy.
