Where to FInd Cheap (or Free) Furniture

If you're like me, you're house is always a work in progress. This means that you constantly change out décor and furniture. While décor can be relatively inexpensive and easy to DIY at home, quality furniture typically doesn't come at a cheap price. But, I've picked up a few insider secrets to pick up furniture at a cheap price. Sometimes it involves buying used furniture and updating it at home, other times it involves getting furniture absolutely free.

Freecycle

Freecycle.com is a website that allows locals who have extra furniture to connect with locals in need of furniture. As the website's name implies, Freecycle is a website where every exchange made is free of charge. Many times you can find high quality furniture that is in barely used condition up for grabs on Freecycle. The only catch to getting free furniture with Freecycle is that you must have a way to transport the furniture. If you live in a metropolitan area, there may be high competition for each item, so it's typically "first come, first serve."

IKEA

I IKEA (yes, I used it as a verb), like it's my job. IKEA is a staple in my house. Most of my office furniture and living room furniture were purchased through IKEA. IKEA sells stylish furniture at a very inexpensive price. However, there is a catch to purchasing cheap furniture from IKEA: you have to put all the pieces together yourself. But, fear not. Most IKEA furniture is simple to put together. My boyfriend and I put my desk together in less than 10 minutes and needed no screws or tools.

Craigslist

Craigslist gets a bad rap for its cheap furniture listings. But, if you can find time to sift through all the crap, Craigslist has some pretty decent and stylish furniture at a cheap price. I sift through Craigslist on a monthly basis, but because I live in a small town, there are rarely any good listings. But, in big cities, it's not uncommon to find valuable vintage pieces of furniture for an extremely affordable price.

Little known fact: Retailers often list sale prices for brand new furniture in their showroom on Craigslist.

Major Furniture Stores

Major furniture stores often offer unadvertised reduced prices on out of season overstock and slightly damaged furniture. Most customers don't get in on the cheap furniture prices because they don't ask. Take a trip to your local Ashley's, eye a few pieces of furniture and let the sales person know that you're willing to purchase furniture that is offered at a reduced price because it's considered "damaged goods," or is simply overstock furniture that hasn't sold. Many times, they'll be more than willing to show you a few pieces that aren't out on the floor.