Biggest Furniture Sales of the Year: What You Need to Know

If you’re holding out for that perfect moment to buy a new sofa or upgrade your dining set, your patience pays off—literally. Furniture shops drop their biggest discounts during specific times of the year, and knowing when to pounce can snag you hundreds off the ticket price.

The trick? It’s all about timing. Stores slash prices for more than just Black Friday. Think Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and even right after New Year’s, when retailers want to clear out old inventory. It’s not just hype—actual price tracking says folks save the most right around these big events, especially on the big pieces like sectionals, beds, and dining tables.

Keep reading and you’ll get the lowdown on when to shop, which stores really go big, and the little-known tricks that will get you the steepest deals—plus, pitfalls to avoid so you don’t end up with buyer’s regret just because something had a red tag. Let’s make sure your next furniture buy feels as good in your wallet as it does in your living room.

• Why Timing Matters for Furniture Shopping
• The Year's Major Furniture Sale Events
• Brands and Retailers with the Deepest Discounts
• Hottest Items to Grab (and What to Avoid)
• Insider Tips for Scoring the Best Deals
• Mistakes Shoppers Make During Big Sales

Why Timing Matters for Furniture Shopping

When it comes to snagging a great furniture sale, timing isn’t just luck—it’s a real money-saver backed by stats. Prices for couches, beds, and dining sets aren’t random; retailers plan their biggest discounts around holidays, new inventory arrivals, and sluggish shopping seasons.

Let’s get specific. Retailers drop their prices the most during a handful of dates. According to a 2023 shopper survey by RetailMeNot, folks saved an average of 30% more if they shopped during major sales weekends instead of regular months. That’s not pocket change when you’re eyeing a $2,000 sectional.

Manufacturers release new furniture models in spring and fall. To make room, stores clear out last season’s stock—so, shopping at the end of winter or summer usually means deeper markdowns.

• Late January to early February: Great for clearance deals.
• End of summer (August/September): Outgoing styles get seriously discounted.
• Holiday weekends: Watch for surprise flash sales and price-matching fests.

Waiting for these windows doesn’t just help you spend less, it opens up more choices. Fewer people shop off-season, so popular items hang around longer and staff can give you extra help (and sometimes even more wiggle room on price).

The Year's Major Furniture Sale Events

If you want the best bang for your buck, you have to know when the real furniture deals drop. The biggest furniture sale events aren’t random—they follow a pattern every year that shops and shoppers count on.

Here’s a quick rundown of sales dates where prices take a serious nosedive:

• Presidents’ Day (February): Stores like Ashley Furniture and Wayfair usually kick off the first big sale event of the year. Discounts can reach 30-40% off on living room and bedroom sets.
• Memorial Day (Last Monday in May): It’s not just for mattresses—expect deals on patio sets, sofas, and home theater seating. Retailers clear old spring stock to make room for summer inventory.
• Fourth of July: A lot of retailers turn Independence Day into a clearance event, pushing summer furniture, outdoor sets, and even big-ticket sectionals at 20-60% off.
• Labor Day (First Monday in September): One of the most reliable times for furniture discounts, especially if you want new arrivals or summer leftovers. Deals usually last for an entire week.
• Black Friday (Friday after Thanksgiving): This is when online and physical stores break out the wildest deals of all. Expect site-wide sales and flash deals on beds, chairs, and storage furniture.
• End-of-Year Clearance (December): Retailers are desperate to send off their old stock to make room for new models. Prices get chopped on everything from accent chairs to dining tables.

Need proof? Here’s a snapshot of average discounts (across major US chains) found during these events in 2024:

If you miss one of these events, don’t sweat it—clearance sales and online-only bargains randomly pop up, but these key dates are when the best deals last longer and choices are better. Mark your calendar, size up the furniture you want, and be ready to click "add to cart" or hit the store early for the top picks. Speed matters—by the last day of a big sale, the good stuff might already be gone.

Brands and Retailers with the Deepest Discounts

Shopping smart means knowing which stores roll out truly jaw-dropping deals during the furniture sale season. Some retailers are famous for deep cuts on the big sale weekends, while others offer steady savings all year—but crank things up a notch when the calendar hits a holiday.

Let’s call out the heavy hitters. Ashley Furniture and Wayfair always pop up with the biggest percentage drops—sometimes up to 70% off, especially online. Around Presidents’ Day or Memorial Day, you’ll spot price tags tumbling at Macy’s, Overstock, and Rooms To Go. For those who prefer IKEA’s style, the July IKEA Summer Sale often brings 20-30% markdowns across beds, sofas, and storage.

America’s favorite warehouse, Costco, isn’t just about bulk groceries. Keep an eye on their online furniture events that run every few months—major savings on sectionals and mattress sets, with bonus delivery perks. But for those chasing designer brands without the steep price tag, check out Crate & Barrel and West Elm clearance in late summer when new models drop. It’s not rare to see $2,000 sofas going for half.

If you like seeing the numbers, here’s how discounts from top players stack up:

Want a pro tip? Many of these chains offer “members-only” early access or extra coupon stacking on top of sale prices if you sign up for emails or loyalty programs. Just remember: not all deals are created equal. Online platforms like Wayfair and Overstock often run flash sales with bigger markdowns than in-store events. Meanwhile, old-school department stores like Macy’s sometimes hide their best promos for in-person visitors—think bundle bonuses for bedroom or living room sets.

The bottom line: Don’t just wait for the sale—do some digging, compare across stores (and web versus store), and get pre-approved for store credit if you’re planning to go big. It can unlock more discounts at checkout.

Hottest Items to Grab (and What to Avoid)

Some furniture deals truly stand out during the furniture sale season, while others are just meh, even with the red stickers. Want to know what's actually worth grabbing during these events—and what you’re better off skipping? It boils down to trends, pricing, and a bit of smart timing.

If you want the biggest bang for your buck, focus on the pricier basics: sectionals, sofas, beds, and dining sets. Retailers go all out with deep discounts on these, sometimes up to 70% off the original price, especially during summer clearance and Black Friday. Power recliners, big patio sets, and king bed frames are almost always reduced the most because stores want the floor space back for new inventory.

According to Consumer Reports, "Shoppers see the steepest furniture price drops just before new styles roll in, with retailers eager to move out the old models."

Beds, dressers, and major living room pieces almost never go out of style overnight. These staples sell in huge volumes during big sales, so deals are actually legit. Here’s a quick peek at typical discounts from major sales events each year:

But not everything is a steal. Trendy accent pieces, small end tables, lamp sets, or throw pillows usually don’t get big markdowns—plus you’ll see those at good prices all year anyway. Custom pieces or anything new-to-market? Skip buying those during sales. Brands rarely knock money off the hot new stuff when demand is high.

• If you see a huge markdown on a staple (like a classic sofa), check online reviews for quality before you buy. Some stores discount models with outdated features or less-popular colors.
• Hold off on accessories and smaller items until you really need them. Their "sale" price is often just the regular price in disguise.
• Mattresses, especially in-store exclusives, can dip the most in price during Memorial Day—a good time to replace if yours is past its prime.

The takeaway: buy big, basic stuff during major seasonal sales, and be wary of flashy deals on stuff you really weren’t planning to get. Your wallet (and your living room) will thank you.

Insider Tips for Scoring the Best Deals

You want the juiciest discounts when it comes to a furniture sale, right? Timing and a little strategy go a long way, but there’s more you can do to lock in the lowest prices—sometimes even beating the advertised deals.

First up, always start with price tracking. Tools like Honey and CamelCamelCamel actually let you see how prices fluctuate, so you’ll spot a real deal versus fake markups. Next, sign up for email lists from big retailers like Wayfair, Ashley, or West Elm. Often, you get a welcome discount (usually 10-20%) just for dropping your email. Want another simple hack? Add stuff to your cart and walk away for a day or two—some stores email you a coupon to nudge you into buying.

Loyalty programs or store credit cards can pay off during major sale weekends. Target’s RedCard takes off 5% on almost everything, and Home Depot’s Pro Xtra rewards members get exclusive offers not advertised to the public.

It also pays to shop in-store. Sometimes you’ll catch “floor model” sales or manager’s specials on display pieces—these can slash an extra 15-30% off even during event weekends.

If you don’t mind last season’s style, clearance outlets or the “open box” deals online let you score new furniture that’s been returned or has minor dings (usually invisible once it’s home). These aren’t just no-name brands either; even Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel do this quietly.

• Don’t skip haggling, especially at local shops. Ask if that’s the best price—worst case, you get a polite no.
• Check for price match policies. If you see a lower price elsewhere, stores like Lowe’s and Rooms To Go will often match it, even during busy sale events.
• Double-check coupon stacking—sometimes codes for free shipping or extra discounts still work on top of sale pricing online.

Here’s a breakdown of what percent you’ll typically save (real data from 2024 sales):

In short—combine good timing with these smart moves and you’ll land high-quality pieces for way less, without falling for those fake “today only” sales.

Mistakes Shoppers Make During Big Sales

If you’re diving into a furniture sale event, it’s easy to get swept up in the rush. Smart buying during these sales comes down to more than grabbing a low sticker price—there are common slip-ups you’ll want to dodge. Here’s what trips up even seasoned bargain hunters, and how you can steer clear.

One huge mistake is not measuring your space ahead of time. So many people grab a deal on a sectional or dresser, only to find it won’t fit through the door or just dominates the room. Jot down accurate measurements before you shop, and keep them handy—your phone’s notes app works great for this.

Another pitfall? Skipping the return policy fine print. Some stores mark sale furniture as final sale, with no returns or exchanges allowed. If you don’t double-check, you could get stuck with something that just doesn’t work for your space or style.

Getting distracted by price tags and forgetting about quality is a classic error. Sure, a $250 sofa looks tempting compared to a $950 model, but check for things like solid frames, legit warranty coverage, and actual customer reviews. Cheap up front doesn’t always mean real savings in the long run if you’re replacing it in two years.

Here are a few other slip-ups folks make during big sales events:

• Forgetting about delivery fees: That bargain could feel less sweet once you tack on a surprise $150 delivery charge.
• Missing the sale window: Some of the best deals (especially on hot items like mattresses or dining sets) are limited to just a few days, or even a few hours during flash sales.
• Impulse buying: When prices drop, it’s tempting to say yes right away. But not every purchase is a good fit for your life—buy what you actually need, not just what’s marked down.
• Ignoring bundle offers: Sometimes, stores offer extra discounts if you buy more than one item at once. Bundling a sofa and loveseat, or a bed and dresser, could save you way more than buying separate.

Check out real numbers from a 2024 consumer survey about furniture shoppers’ regrets during major sales:

You don’t have to join these numbers. Make your game plan before the sale starts, read the details, and stick to your priorities. Shopping big events is about scoring the right deal—not just the lowest sticker.