| The key to staying on a budget when buying | | | | through these avenues. |
| furniture for your home is to take your time. Retail | | | | Craigslist has the extra advantage of being able to |
| furniture stores are designed with the impulse buyer | | | | feature color photographs saving the buyer time of |
| in mind. They know that you won't be visiting their | | | | traveling around to different locations. If you are |
| store frequently so a lot of care has gone into | | | | selling furniture, try selling it first through your local |
| designing a floor plan for you to simply point and buy | | | | newspaper, local bulletin board, or on Craigslist since |
| the items you like. | | | | you will typically sell it for a higher price through |
| There are alternatives to buying new furniture. | | | | these locations. If you were unsuccessful at selling |
| Depending on your taste whether it is contemporary, | | | | your furniture through these outlets, then consider an |
| shabby chic, country-style, or an accumulation of | | | | a yard sale or garage sale. Your last option should be |
| styles, buying used furniture may be a way to stay | | | | through an estate sale or consignment store since |
| within your budget. Well made furniture should stand | | | | you will share your money with the people helping to |
| the test of time and you may just find the furniture | | | | sell your furniture. |
| at a great price too. | | | | Remember to donate any furniture that you are |
| Three ways to buy quality gently used furniture | | | | unable to sell through a reputable charity or |
| pieces within a reasonable budget include: | | | | organization. It's important that you get a receipt for |
| 1. Estate sales, yard sales, and garage sales | | | | your donation for end-of-year donation write-offs. |
| 2. Local newspapers / bulletin boards and Craigslist.org | | | | Consignment furniture stores: |
| 3. Consignment furniture stores | | | | Consignment stores are a great way to buy furniture |
| Estate sales, yard sales, garage sales: | | | | at a discount and save time. Of the three choices, |
| There are a number of reasons why a person may | | | | this will be the most expensive way to buy furniture |
| be holding an estate sale. The homeowners may:o be | | | | but it could save you a lot of time since it typically |
| downshifting their lifestyleo moving far awayo be | | | | offers the most complete inventory options for |
| selling a second home and no longer need the extra | | | | furnishing living rooms, dining rooms, offices, kitchens |
| furnishingso have passed and their family has no | | | | and bedrooms. |
| need for the furniture | | | | You may find that local furniture consignment shops |
| The advantage of an estate sale is that if you like | | | | in your area have made arrangements with builders |
| the owner's decorating style, you may be able to | | | | and interior designers who create model homes. As |
| purchase an entire room of furniture at bargain prices. | | | | you know, model homes are beautifully decorated |
| Like with yard sales and garage sales, estate sales | | | | with high-end furniture to sell the home. When a |
| will really be hit or miss. The disadvantage is that you | | | | builder has sold all the homes in a particular |
| never know what you will find at each sale which can | | | | subdivision, the furniture is no longer needed. The |
| be very time consuming. | | | | furniture is oftentimes sold at furniture consignment |
| If you do find a high quality piece of furniture that | | | | stores for 50% off (or more!) the retail price. |
| you want to reupholster, consider the real cost | | | | Even gallery pictures for the walls are sold less |
| against your budget. Reupholstering quality furniture | | | | expensively at consignment furniture stores. You will |
| may be worth the time and expense if you know | | | | need to check the store monthly for new inventory |
| that this piece will stay in your home a long time. | | | | as it changes frequently. To find a store in your area, |
| Depending on the age of the furniture, you may also | | | | simply do a search on "Furniture Consignment Store" |
| need to rebuild cushions and replace throw pillows. | | | | + your zip code. Antique furniture stores may also |
| This can really add up! For the expense of the new | | | | appear in the listings. |
| cushions, refinishing, reupholstering, fabric, materials, | | | | Before purchasing your furniture, it is wise to have a |
| labor, transportation, etc. you may find it's cheaper to | | | | budget in mind. It is advisable that you only buy the |
| buy a new piece. Definitely consider all of the costs | | | | furniture and furnishings that you love because you |
| before going down this path. | | | | will be seeing it everyday in your home. Often, |
| Local newspapers/bulletin boards and Craigslist.org: | | | | people end up buying furniture because they need it |
| If a person or business is liquidating their furniture and | | | | now, but discard it within a year or two because |
| belongings, they will often choose to sell it via the | | | | they end up hating it. Buy for quality and because |
| local newspaper or through Craigslist.org. You may | | | | you really like the pieces. You will end up saving time |
| even find for sale ads on bulletin boards at work, | | | | and staying within your budget if you have |
| grocery stores, and at churches. The seller will usually | | | | discriminating taste when purchasing used furniture. |
| fetch a higher price for their furniture when sold | | | | |