10 Places to Buy Affordable Furniture (That Aren't IKEA)Don’t get me wrong–I like IKEA. Sure, it’s a pain to assemble a bed frame using only an Allen wrench and drawings of a humanoid creature. But it’s the go-to place for affordable furniture, and they have a lot of great stuff.

    But maybe you’re ready for something different. Perhaps you’ve gotten lost in their store one too many times. Or maybe you’re tired of seeing the same LACK side table and POANG chair in everyone’s home. You want a little variety, and I don’t blame you. If so, here are ten other affordable furniture stores like IKEA (minus the maze).


    1. 
    Amazon

    Yes, Amazon is actually a pretty amazing place to find affordable furniture. Now, their prices can be over the place. But with some filtering, and you can find great deals on furniture. I once bought a comfortable, executive desk chair for $25. That’s an extreme example, but it’s worth a look. Their daily Gold Box Deals also often include steep discounts on furniture.

    2. Sears Outlet 

    Yes, Sears has an online outlet, and you can find some incredible deals. In my own search, some discounts were up to 82%. Some of their sofas–not futons–were as low as $280. The caveat is, not all items can be shipped, and some of them may not be available for pickup near you. The good news is: you can browse by pickup location to find a store nearby.

    3. Muji.com

    If you’re into simple, minimalist design, you’ll love Muji. They’re quite similar to IKEA in price, quality, and aesthetic. Muji has locations throughout Europe and Asia, but in the States, their storefronts are limited to New York and California. You can order items online, and you’ll have to pay for shipping. But their prices are pretty affordable, so it may be worth the extra cost.

    4. Urban Outfitters

    Frankly, a lot of their stuff is overpriced. But some of their furniture items are comparable to IKEA prices, especially when they’re on sale. And if you check their clearance section, you can usually find some decent deals.

    5. Stores that Sell Floor Models

    It might be a long shot, but it’s worth asking. Some furniture stores will sell their floor models for a fraction of the price. At one frou-frou store here in L.A., I nabbed two fancy floor model barstools for $70 each. IKEA prices, better quality.

    6. AllModern.com

    Here’s another online retailer whose prices are all over the map. Some of their stuff is, frankly, insanely expensive. But a lot of is it surprisingly affordable–and not just by comparison. Oddly, depending on the day and time, I’ve noticed their prices fluctuate.

    So here’s a tip: if you’ve got your eye on something, monitor it for a while. Also, consider searching in Private or Incognito mode. Sometimes, you’ll find lower prices.

    7. Overstock.com

    You probably know that Overstock is a discount surplus site, but maybe you didn’t know their prices rival even Amazon’s. I’ve found a few of the exact same Amazon products cheaper at Overstock. So make sure compare prices.

    Bonuses: free shipping if you spend more than $50 and a 10% off coupon if you sign up for their email list.

    8. Big Lots

    Big Lots is another option, and you probably have a store near you. They’re similar in quality and price to IKEA, just with less variety. You can find even better deals on their furniture clearance items online.

    9. Cost Plus World Market

    Some of their stuff is a bit more expensive than IKEA. But, occasionally, they have sales that bring down the prices considerably. Oh, and here’s a funny story:

    Years ago, I bought a couch, in-store, for like, $450. A few years later, the cushions started sinking. Granted, I had a few couch guests over the years (and I did jump on it once, when I got my first job in LA). But I felt like the couch should’ve been able to handle that. When I emailed Cost Plus, they agreed. And they gave me credit, for the exact amount I paid, to buy a new couch. So they get bonus points for their amazing customer service.

    10. Etsy

    Etsy is a great place to find handcrafted furniture. Yes, sometimes, these prices are going to be expensive–after all, these are independent store owners. But, considering the quality, there are remarkable deals to be had.

    You can find decent prices on reclaimed or upcycled vintage furniture, too.

    Consider Quality

    Some will argue, rightfully, that it pays to spend a bit more money on quality furniture you’ll have for years. This is definitely true. But not everyone can afford a $2,000 couch; sometimes you have to compromise. Also, if you take care of your stuff (i.e., don’t jump on your couch when you get a new job), you might still be able to keep lower-quality items for a long time. Of course, you can also get great deals on quality used furniture with tried-and-true methods: yard sales, estate sales, thrift stores, etc.

    Have you guys ever bought from any of the stores above? If so, would you recommend them? Are there any I forgot?

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