We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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Whether you’re moving into a new place or just want to update your decor, there are countless stores to purchase furniture at. But if you’re working with a budget, you might feel like your options are limited. Even if you’re trying to keep costs low, finding the best affordable furniture can be challenging.
However, there are a few retailers that offer furniture that’s both decently priced and high quality. Whether you want a modern accent piece or prefer a traditional look, you can furnish your home just the way you want without busting your budget.
Living and dining room sets, patio furniture, tables, chairs — you can get your favorite styles by shopping at our top four retailers for affordable furniture. Our favorite of the bunch is CORT Furniture Outlet, which can help you quickly furnish your space with new or gently used pieces at a deep discount.
Best Budget-Friendly Options
When you’re in need of furniture that won’t break the bank, CORT Furniture Outlet is the best place to start your search. CORT leases furniture for movie sets, model homes, corporate apartments and more. When that furniture can no longer be leased, CORT inspects it, cleans it and sells it at its outlet store for a reduced price.
An eco-friendly choice, CORT’s used offerings include stylish designs for the home or office. Expect pieces marked as “used” to only have a couple minor imperfections, while pieces marked as “bargain” have more noticeable dents, stains and scratches — but are sold for up to 70% off the retail price.
If used furniture isn’t for you, CORT also offers brand-new pieces straight from the factory at discounted prices. You’ll find plenty of great styles, including traditional, mid-century modern and modern, and the selection is updated weekly on their website, so it pays to check back regularly. However, before you start browsing, be sure there’s a CORT location near you for pickup or delivery, as they don’t ship items for online orders.
Most Value
Walmart offers a wide range of affordable furniture, making it perfect for anyone looking to furnish a home without overspending. You can find furniture and housewares for every room in your home and also pick up essentials such as mattresses, decor and appliances.
You can step into any Walmart and choose from multiple in-store options, or you can check out their online catalog and browse a larger selection. Walmart lets its customers pick up furniture in-store or have it delivered straight to their homes. Customers appreciate the affordability of Walmart's furniture, and there are often deals on items so that you can get your favorite furniture pieces at a nice discount.
Traditional and modern styles are prevalent at Walmart, but you’ll also find mid-century modern, boho and farmhouse aesthetics. The only drawback is that customers must assemble their own furniture, but considering the low cost for many Walmart offerings, it’s a small price to pay.
Best for a Higher-End Look
Wayfair is the go-to retailer for all things home, bed and bath. With an extensive online catalog featuring exquisite furniture for every room in your home, it’s the best retailer for those seeking pieces that’ll closely match their home decor.
Wayfair offers a wide range of furniture, including living room seating, bedroom sets, dining tables, office desks, storage pieces, outdoor furniture, mattresses and lighting. There are thousands of styles for customers to choose from at various price points, meaning you can furnish your home beautifully while staying within your budget. Some furniture set styles include modern farmhouse, traditional and mid-century modern.
Pricing is more competitive than Walmart's, but high-quality craftsmanship and customizable options for long-term furnishing needs are Wayfair’s top priorities. The primary drawback is that since it’s online-only, you won’t be able to see your furniture in person. However, Wayfair makes up for this by offering several photos, videos, detailed specs, reviews and returns on most items.
Best Inexpensive Statement Pieces
Target offers furniture that’s both affordable and stylish, making it one of the best retailers to shop at if you want a modern look at a lower cost. Desks, patio items, living room sets and tables are just some of the furnishings you’ll find at Target in addition to decor, lighting, bedding and home essentials.
Like Walmart, you can shop in person and online, with many items available for same-day pickup or delivery. Additionally, Target is known for its popular in-house brands, such as Threshold, Project 62 and Room Essentials, which deliver some of the best modern home furnishings. The most common styles you’ll find here are modern farmhouse, modern and traditional.
Target’s furniture is more stylish than most of what you’ll find at Walmart, and although its catalog is smaller than Wayfair’s, previewing products online is much easier, making it more accessible for casual shoppers. Among the top four retailers for affordable furniture, Target offers the most balanced selection across cost, craftsmanship and design.
We aimed to provide shoppers with the top four options for buying high-quality furniture at an affordable price. We considered cost and flexibility with options such as CORT and Walmart, and selection and craftsmanship with Target and Wayfair. All four retailers offer furniture sets in the same general ballpark price range, with a few key differences in the customer experience.
Should you buy furniture that’s new or used? It really depends on your needs or preferences.
Some shoppers prefer having furniture that’s in pristine condition, and it can be easier to find exactly what you’re looking for when buying new. Though it costs more than a used equivalent, many feel it’s worth it to be the first owner. That said, it’s hard to keep furniture in brand-new condition for very long, so you might end up paying extra for something that could get stained after a few weeks in your home anyway.
Used furniture, on the other hand, is worth it for the money you save and the good you do by keeping furniture out of the landfill. A reputable company, such as CORT, will also go the extra mile to thoroughly inspect, clean and sanitize it, so you can feel good about bringing it into your space. Though it won’t be in perfect condition, used furniture can still hold up well for years. Plus, purchasing used furniture might free you up to try out new styles of decor you otherwise wouldn’t because you’re not spending as much.
When you’re shopping for furniture, it’s a good idea to first consider your current decor and personal style. Here are some of the more popular styles to consider.
Contemporary: The most popular decor choice for urban homes. It’s uncluttered and features neutral colors, such as muted shades of white, black, gray and brown, that go with everything.
Traditional: This is a classic look consisting of furniture that features wood tones and patterned fabrics. It feels warmer and cozier compared to contemporary aesthetics.
Boho: This style pops more than contemporary and traditional aesthetics because it blends brighter colors, patterns and textures freely. It looks more natural and relaxed.
Farmhouse: Rustic furniture features natural wood and vintage home accents. Additionally, neutral colors, such as muted shades of brown, are prevalent in farmhouse-style homes.
Mid-century modern: Dating back to the 1930s through the mid-1960s, this style features abundant natural wood, clean lines and colors that pop. It’s nuanced like contemporary styles, but it stands out just a bit more, making it slightly more welcoming.
It can be challenging to discern if a piece of furniture is made with high-quality materials, but the specs should give you an idea of its overall build quality. Try to steer clear of flimsy plastics and look for furniture built from solid wood or strong metal frames. For sofas and chairs, choose durable fabrics such as leather, microfiber or tightly woven synthetics that can withstand daily use.
It’s crucial to check the store’s delivery policy before buying furniture, as some stores do not offer returns or refunds on specific items. It’s also a good idea to find out how long delivery will take and whether there are any extra fees, as these can significantly increase the price of your total purchase. Plus, keep in mind that some stores offer free delivery with larger orders, but others charge based on distance or item size.
Furniture often comes pre-assembled, but some sets may require assembly and additional tools for you to put together yourself. Assembly difficulty varies: some are simple, while others are tricky and time-consuming. Some furniture stores offer assembly, but more often than not, it’s up to the customer to do it themselves.
Every store has its own rules for returns and trial periods, so it’s advisable to ask before you buy. Some stores give full refunds, while others only allow exchanges or may charge restocking fees. A few even offer a trial period, letting you test the furniture at home and return it for free if you don’t like it.
Warranties typically last for one year, but many brands offer coverage up to 10 years. Keep in mind that different parts of the furniture, such as the frame, cushions or hardware, may have different warranty terms, so it’s essential to read the fine print and ask an employee for these details before committing.
A. You’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for big sales, which are common in late summer or December. Also, retailers offer discounts on long weekends and Black Friday/Cyber Monday, which is in late November.
A. Yes, you can often negotiate furniture prices, especially on floor models or older items. Some ways to save up to 20% on your total purchase include asking for discounts, price matching or free delivery. It never hurts to ask.
