Forget Expensive Decor: A Smart Way To Buy Furniture Without Breaking The Bank

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If you dread the idea of buying new furniture pieces, some of your anxiety might stem from being unable to recognize furniture shopping red flags, such as paying too much. Excessive cost can be especially worrisome if you have to buy several pieces at one time. One of the best ways to save money when shopping for furniture is to ask about package deals. If you need multiple pieces, some stores will give you a lower price for a few pieces bought together than the cost to purchase each one separately over time.

Furniture stores (and other stores) use bundled pricing to move more inventory faster. They also provide these incentives to ensure the customers feel like they're receiving a better financial deal, meaning they're more likely to pull the trigger on the purchase. Bundled deals help the store increase the value of each individual order, allowing it to receive a bigger profit per transaction (as long as the bundle wasn't sold below cost).

Even though bundles can provide benefits for the retailers, they also are helpful for consumers. Considering that furniture is expensive and has been steadily rising in price the past several years, bundling is a smart option to cut down on the overall cost.

Beyond receiving a lower purchase price by selecting bundled furniture, you may save money on delivery, too. Some retailers offer a discount on delivery fees or free delivery if you purchase multiple pieces at once or meet a certain spending threshold, which is easier to do with bundled furniture than when buying a single piece.

You can also save time when shopping if you select furniture bundles. You might feel like you don't have to do as much price comparison shopping, and you'll have fewer concerns about whether or not everything will fit in the room. It's easier to envision the layout of the furniture pieces and whether your room is big enough to accommodate all of them when you're looking at a bundled set of bedroom, living room, or dining room furniture.

One of the most common mistakes people make when picking furniture is not thinking about how the pieces will fit together once you actually bring them home. If you collect separate items over a period of months and years, you could end up with furniture that doesn't fit the space well or detracts from the design and feel you're seeking. If you want to guarantee that you'll be left with a cohesive look, purchasing bundled furniture ensures that everything is the same color and style.

If you're looking for places to purchase modern furniture without breaking the bank, you'll usually find deals on bundles at large chain retailers. For example, Home Depot has a New Classic Furniture Mariana 4-Piece Vintage Mocha Wood King Bedroom Set for $2,031, which includes a bed frame, dresser, nightstand, and mirror. The savings by purchasing all of the items together is $556 compared to buying them separately at Home Depot, representing a savings of 21%.

Many other retailers also regularly offer bundles. Places like Bob's Discount Furniture and Wayfair offer thousands of bundles that they market on their websites, including bedroom sets, dining room bundles, and more. With the Costco Direct program, you can purchase multiple large-ticket items online from the membership warehouse retailer, including some furniture items, and receive extra savings. Buying two qualifying items gives you an extra $100 savings, and the amount increases as you purchase more items.

If you prefer to shop local instead of online at the national retailers, many independent furniture stores may let you bundle furniture items and save. One advantage of going with a local, independent store is that you may be able to negotiate on price in person, thereby increasing your savings.