Biggest Furniture Sale Days of the Year: When to Shop for the Lowest Prices

You always hear about friends landing crazy furniture deals—the type that makes your living room jealous. What’s the secret? Timing is everything. Whether you’re eyeing that sleek sectional, need a new dining table, or dreaming of upgrading your ancient mattress, knowing the biggest furniture sale day of the year gives you a serious edge. Here’s where it gets wild: the best day isn’t just about one-off savings, it’s the epic sprint for the lowest prices most folks miss entirely. Missing out could mean paying hundreds more for that sofa your dog, Rocky, is going to take over anyway. Grab your coffee, because the world of furniture sales is less predictable than my dog during fireworks.

When Do the Biggest Furniture Sales Happen?

So, what is the biggest furniture sale day, really? If you guessed Black Friday, you’re not far off, but there’s a plot twist. Memorial Day, Labor Day, Presidents’ Day, and Black Friday are all contenders, depending on what you’re shopping for. Let’s break it down. Most major retailers, like Ashley Furniture or West Elm, drop their biggest markdowns on long holiday weekends. Presidents’ Day in February is legendary for mattresses and bedroom sets. It’s not just hype; retailers want to move inventory before new spring lines hit the showroom. Memorial Day at the end of May is almost always number one for living room and outdoor furniture. By this point, stores are anxious to offload last season’s styles to make room for summer inventory.

And don’t count out Labor Day in early September—another top-tier sale window, particularly if you want to update your patio space before fall. But Black Friday steals the show for electronics and appliances; furniture deals do appear, but selection might be slim since stores have already cleared out a lot in the summer. According to a 2024 report from the National Retail Federation, Memorial Day weekend saw average furniture price reductions of 20%-60%, while Black Friday discounts typically hovered around 25%-40% across major retailers. That’s a big gap. Check out this quick data recap:

So, timing your purchase isn’t guesswork—it’s about understanding the industry rhythm. Retailers depend on sales peaking during specific seasons to clear out storage before new shipments. This insider info means you can avoid buying a table at full price just weeks before it’s marked down. Here’s another tip: new furniture styles usually arrive in stores in February and August. If you want last season’s gems, target sale events right before the new stuff comes in.

I once scored a massive deal on a leather loveseat by waiting out the Memorial Day rush. Sure, I risked missing my favorite color, but saved $500. Cassandra thought I was nuts to procrastinate, but in this case, patience wasn’t just a virtue—it was cold, hard cash in my bank account. Better yet, if you’re willing to accept a floor model or an “open box” item, stores sometimes pile on extra savings after holidays, since they need to clear out space even faster.

“Retailers know that shoppers are keyed in on holiday weekends. That's exactly why we hold our largest and most strategic sell-offs during these times,” says Emma Price, a senior analyst at Furniture Today, in a 2025 interview.

“Don’t just shop on the holiday—start tracking sales at least one week ahead. Many retailers drop early bird deals or exclusive online offers well before the weekend crowd catches on.”

Another fun fact? Some local stores throw ‘Anniversary Sales’ or ‘Warehouse Clearances’ after bigger chain events, which can mean big markdowns even after the holidays. If you’re open to hunting, you might snag a gem when the crowds have already cleared out. The patience game can pay off if you know all the right windows to watch.

How to Find the Best Deals: Tips You Won’t See in Ads

No one wants to sift through thousands of couches online. So, how do the ‘insiders’ find deals without losing their minds? First, sign up for retailer newsletters a couple months before the big holidays. I know, your inbox is probably bursting already, but this is how you find those unadvertised coupon codes and early access notifications. Stores like Wayfair or Macy’s often reward loyal subscribers with deeper discounts or exclusive previews days before the public sale kicks in. Don’t rely on basic Google Shopping filters for the best offers—big stores sometimes hide low prices behind ‘add to cart’ or offer extra loyalty rewards right at checkout.

Watch for price-matching policies. If you spot a deal at a competing store, most big-box retailers will match or beat the price, especially during these peak sales. Walk in with a screenshot, and you could shave another $100 off. It’s like a game of chicken—don’t be afraid to negotiate, especially in local or family-owned stores. Managers often have wiggle room to go lower if it helps hit weekly sales targets, and holiday weekends make them eager to close deals on the spot.

Another sneaky tactic: Set up alerts on price tracking tools like Honey or CamelCamelCamel. You might know these from Amazon shopping but try expanding your browser tool kit to furniture sites, too. These apps watch online price drops for you and shoot you a notification as soon as the item you want dips below your target price point. It saves hours of endless refreshing, trust me.

If you’re brave (or just a little reckless like me), shop in-store late in the holiday afternoon. Retailers worried about unsold stock sometimes approve ‘end of day’ markdowns that higher-ups never advertise. The risk? Your dream table might already be gone. But if you’re buying more than one item—like a sofa and side tables—don’t be shy about asking for a ‘bundle discount.’ Many stores reserve extra deals for buyers who make multi-piece purchases during sale weekends.

Don’t ignore outlet locations for brands like IKEA, Pottery Barn, or Restoration Hardware. They often run parallel sales at their outlets, but discounts are steeper and merchandise turns over faster. Sometimes you luck out with a minor scratch-and-dent model for a fraction of the cost. Pro tip: stores restock outlets late in the day, just as regular locations are closing—and managers get desperate to hit sales numbers before the holiday ends.

Check store social media for ‘flash sales’ or one-day-only coupon drops. Retailers are getting craftier, tossing out quick codes to Instagram and Facebook followers for extra savings. Yes, it's another reason to scroll your phone, but if you catch a $200-off code on a new sectional, it’s worth the dopamine rush.

If you shop online, watch shipping costs—sometimes those wipe out any discount you scored. Free delivery offers usually appear at the last minute, like dangling carrots. Don’t settle for high fees just because you’re rushing at checkout; many retailers offer ship-to-store for free or reduced rates during sale events.

Making the Most of Sale Season: Smart Strategies for Real Savings

Getting the best deal is half the battle. Timing delivery and being ready at home matter, too—especially with all the chaos in logistics these days. If you’re in a hurry—a new baby, or in my case, my wife Cassandra’s sudden urge to “refresh” every room—factor in possible delays during peak sales season. Some sale-day orders might not ship for several weeks, especially for custom items. Clarify delivery before paying; don’t assume next-day drop-offs unless it’s clearly stated on your receipt.

Measure your space in advance. There’s nothing more soul-crushing than waiting a month for a gorgeous sectional only to realize it won’t fit through your door. I messed up on this one before—Rocky still laughs about it. Well, he’d laugh if dogs could. So, triple measure the path from curb to room, including stairwells and hallway corners. Most returns on sale furniture come from miscalculations like this, and return shipping can range from $100 to $500—sometimes it’s not free during clearance events.

Be wary of ‘final sale’ specials. That recliner at 70% off looks sweet, but you’re on the hook if it doesn’t work out. At least check it in person, or read plenty of unfiltered user reviews to sniff out hidden defects. If you’re not sure, check with your credit card company—many offer extended warranties or return protection on large purchases. Also, keep all paperwork and original tags; sometimes stores enforce strict ‘return within 10 days’ policies during high-pressure sales like Black Friday.

Payment plans and financing offers pop up everywhere during those sale days. Interest-free is tempting, but read the fine print. Some deals require the full amount paid off within six months or they retroactively dump interest charges on you. If you don’t have the cash in hand, double check if the monthly payment really fits your budget. And don’t let a retailer pressure you into high-priced ‘protection plans’—these are easily negotiated or declined. Stick to your priorities and avoid flashy add-ons.

Don’t ignore factory-direct and online-only retailers. Brands like Article, Floyd, and Burrow often skip traditional sales in favor of “always low” pricing. But they join the game during the big weekends, tossing coupon codes or limited-time free shipping offers into the mix. If style variety is less important to you than price, these are great for straightforward discounts with fewer hoops to jump through.

Here’s something weird: some furniture apps offer cashback just for completing your purchase through their portal. Combine this with a sale discount and you may double your savings. Hunt around before checking out—sometimes that extra 5% brings your dream bedroom set into budget range.

So, if you’re on the hunt for new furniture, Memorial Day is the champ for big-box markdowns, but Presidents’ Day and Labor Day run a close race for bedroom and patio sets. Get your wishlist sorted, measure everything, scope out multiple stores, and set those price alerts early. Oh, and if you do pull off a killer sale, don’t forget to post the before-and-after photos—just don’t let your dog steal the spotlight in every single one like mine does. Shopping smart is about timing, research, and just a little bit of luck. But once you land that half-priced sofa, you’ll wonder why you ever paid full retail. Shop smarter, save bigger—and prepare for some very jealous friends.