When’s the Best Time to Buy Living Room Furniture?

La-Z-Boy Southeast | January 8, 2026

The best time to buy living room furniture is during January and July clearance events when stores make room for new collections, or during major holiday weekends (Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday) when retailers offer significant promotions. However, furniture promotions run year-round, meaning you can find competitive pricing any time of year if you know what to look for.

Understanding furniture buying seasons helps you maximize value without compromising on quality or selection. Let’s break down how the furniture industry works so you can shop strategically.

Why January and July Are Prime Shopping Months

The furniture industry follows a predictable pattern driven by the High Point Furniture Market, the largest trade show in North America where manufacturers unveil new collections.

High Point occurs twice yearly in October and April. After manufacturers showcase new designs, they begin production and shipping, which means:

New collections arrive in stores in January (following the October market)
Summer collections arrive in July (following the April market)

To make showroom space for incoming merchandise, retailers mark down floor samples and discontinued styles. This creates genuine savings opportunities—you’re getting quality furniture at reduced prices because stores need the physical space, not because anything is wrong with the pieces.

Shopping strategy: Visit stores in early-to-mid January or July for the best selection of clearance items before inventory gets picked over.

The Holiday Sale Reality: Extended Pricing Periods

Furniture retailers now extend holiday promotions well beyond the actual holiday, typically running sales the entire week or even month surrounding major shopping weekends.

Major furniture sale holidays include:

Presidents’ Day (February)
Memorial Day (May)
July 4th
Labor Day (September)
Black Friday/Cyber Monday (November)
Year-End Clearance (December)

The advantage of shopping before the holiday rush? Better selection, less crowded showrooms, and more personalized attention from design consultants. You’ll typically get the same pricing without competing with crowds.

Pro tip: Many retailers guarantee their holiday pricing for several days before and after the actual holiday, giving you flexibility in your schedule.

Understanding Year-Round Promotions

Here’s something most people don’t realize: furniture stores almost always have some type of promotion running, even between major holidays. This might include:

Financing offers (interest-free periods)
Bundle discounts (save when buying multiple pieces)
Free upgrades (premium fabrics, enhanced cushioning)
Complimentary services (fabric protection, delivery, old furniture removal)

Rather than waiting for a specific “sale,” focus on what you actually need. A promotion on sofas doesn’t help if you need dining room furniture.

How to Maximize Your Furniture Budget

1. Shop During Off-Peak Hours

Visit stores between 10 AM and noon on weekdays for the most attentive service. With fewer customers, design consultants can spend quality time understanding your needs, taking measurements, and exploring options.

2. Ask About Negotiable Add-Ons

Most furniture retailers use “no-haggle pricing” on furniture itself—the marked price is the price. However, you can often negotiate on:

Delivery fees
Fabric protection upgrade such as La-Z-Boy’s iClean Fabric
Premium fabric upgrades
Setup and old furniture removal services

Always ask. The worst they can say is no.

3. Research Before You Shop

Do your homework online first:

Read reviews of specific furniture lines
Compare prices across retailers (watching for quality differences)
Check manufacturers’ websites to understand construction methods
Use design tools to visualize pieces in your space
Review return policies and warranties

Walking into a store already educated about construction quality, fabric options, and price ranges makes the buying process faster and more confident.

Timing for Custom vs. In-Stock Furniture

Understanding lead times helps you plan effectively:

In-Stock Furniture: Same-day or next-day delivery

Showroom floor samples
Warehouse inventory items
Great for immediate needs or time-sensitive moves

Custom-Ordered Furniture: 4-12 weeks

Built to your specifications (fabric, size, configuration)
Offers thousands of customization options
Requires advance planning but delivers exactly what you want

Seasonal consideration: Order custom furniture 6-8 weeks before you need it for holidays or special occasions. Furniture factories experience peak production during certain seasons, which can extend lead times.

Weather Considerations for Delivery

Peak moving season: May through September coincides with warm weather, school breaks, and lease transitions. Scheduling delivery can be tighter during these months.

Advantages of off-season shopping (October-March):

More flexible delivery windows
Potentially better deals as stores clear inventory
Easier to schedule movers if you’re handling your own transport

Most quality furniture retailers offer full-service delivery year-round, bringing your pieces inside, removing packaging, placing furniture where you want it, and hauling away your old furniture. This service eliminates weather concerns entirely.

Trade-In and Removal Options

Many furniture stores now offer furniture trade-in programs:

They remove your old furniture during delivery of your new pieces
Some donate gently-used items to local charities
You might receive a credit toward your new purchase

This simplifies the logistics of furniture shopping and ensures your old pieces benefit someone else rather than ending up in a landfill.

The Bottom Line: When Should You Actually Shop?

Shop when YOU need furniture, but optimize your timing when possible:

✅ Best selection with good pricing: January and July
✅ Biggest advertised sales: Holiday weekends
✅ Best service and attention: Off-peak weekdays
✅ Most flexible delivery: Fall through early spring

The “perfect” time to buy furniture is when you find pieces you genuinely love at a price that works for your budget. A sofa you’ll use daily for 10+ years delivers value regardless of whether you saved an additional 5% by shopping during a specific week.

Focus on quality construction, timeless design, and comfort over waiting for the absolute lowest price. The best furniture investment is one you’ll love for years, not just the day you bought it.

Planning Your Living Room Refresh?

Whether you’re furnishing a new home or updating your current space, taking time to understand your options leads to better decisions. Consider working with a professional design consultant who can help you:

Choose furniture scaled appropriately for your room
Select fabrics that match your lifestyle (pets, kids, entertaining style)
Create a cohesive design that reflects your personal taste
Plan for both immediate needs and future additions

Many furniture retailers, including La-Z-Boy Southeast, offer complimentary design consultations. These sessions can transform furniture shopping from an overwhelming chore into an enjoyable creative process.

You may like to take a look at these online resources before you shop:

We’d be happy to guide you through the process of furnishing your home at any of our locations in NC, SC, and GA.