Furniture Upgrade Time

[Fingolfin269]

If anyone has furniture buying advice please hook me up. I bought a condo, my first home purchase, and still have pretty much the same kind of thing you would see in a college person's apartment. It's time to upgrade!

I'm going to need living room furniture (probably just a couch, chair w/ ottoman, and some tables) as well as a bedroom suit. Any store preferences for great deals? Any bargaining tips?

 

[ElFenix]

is there a 'the dump' near you? i think its a chain...
locations
might be worth a trip. furniture is typically 50% to 75% off there.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Nope, nothing like that in the area. We have things like Rooms To Go and Haverty's but they seem fairly expensive compared to what you pay.

Does anyone have experience with local dealers? In your experience would you rather deal with a local business person than a chain like RtG when it comes to furniture? I plan to scope out town on Saturday so I am not even sure how many options I have as far as chains vs. locals go.

 

[rsd]

Try craiglist/want ads, you may be able to find some decent stuff that way obviously.

 

[biggestmuff]

What price range are you going for?

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Nope, nothing like that in the area. We have things like Rooms To Go and Haverty's but they seem fairly expensive compared to what you pay.

Does anyone have experience with local dealers? In your experience would you rather deal with a local business person than a chain like RtG when it comes to furniture? I plan to scope out town on Saturday so I am not even sure how many options I have as far as chains vs. locals go.

Well I can tell you to not get Rooms to Go, I have a full living room set from them and it's pretty much crap quality.

Looks nice and my couch and recliner feel nice but I've only have it all for about 2 years and it's already starting to fall apart.

I'd suggest getting solid wood furniture if at all possible since it'll last you a life time.

 

[jhayx7]

WestElm

 

[LegendKiller]

Personally, I won't buy from any big store. All of the furniture in anything from Haverty's, Slumberland, Rooms to Go, Kanes, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel, or anything else that's like that is utter garbage made in China or some other foreign country. It's all MDF with veneer or some other trash wood that has been artificially "aged" and will look like utter trash within 5 years.

I have sworn off any big store now for good furniture. My brother turned me on to Amish stuff (being in NoVA I am not far away from Lancaster Co.). If you can get to an Amish area you can find a craftsman that makes really good *HARDWOOD* furniture that won't break the bank. I am talking 1/4 the price of the trash that is sold in most stores.

Otherwise, go to smaller places, but be very careful as far as wood. Look for solids or very little veneer. Couches and such should be bought with a lot of apprehension, since the longevity of them has decreased.

There was a time that you could get good furniture that was hardwood and lasted a long time and it was sold everywhere. Now, you have to be very discerning in your purchases, avoiding all of the crap out there.