Is your beloved couch looking a little worse for wear? Have the years of accidental spillages built up to create something that looks more fitting for the dump than your living space?
Maybe the yin and yang of your decor have been thrown off balance, and you’re on the hunt for something a little more ‘you’. ‘Buy a new couch!’ is the obvious answer, but this isn’t always as easy as it sounds, especially if you’re working with a small budget.
So if you’re strapped for cash, you’re probably feeling deflated and stuck in a rut about your less-than-ideal choice of interior design.
Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re looking for some budget-friendly places to get the couch of your dreams, read on to view the 15 best places to buy a couch on a budget.
1. Second-Hand Furniture Apps and Websites
Don’t be deterred by second-hand furniture! If you’re the type to turn your nose up at preloved furniture, we BEG you to reconsider. If you’re working with a tight budget, second-hand furniture apps and websites may just be your new best friend.
Not sure where to start? Take a look at our handy little list below:
Chairish
Chairish is a well-loved used furniture and decor app. It’s every design lover’s dream, and you can find some INCREDIBLE deals if you keep your eyes peeled. You may just find the couch of your dreams and some stunning home furnishings and artwork to go with it.
Chairish is free to download on the Apple app store, and with thousands of new items added daily, there’s absolutely NO excuse not to give this a go!
Once you see an item you like, making a purchase is quick and easy. Simply make an offer with a quick tap, and if you’re successful, delivery can be arranged in just a few clicks. P.S: you can even preview the appearance of items in your living space – how cool is that!?
eBay
We’ve all heard of eBay. On this iconic auction site, you can bid for (or buy) almost anything you could imagine – including second-hand couches. eBay has everything, from the kooky and bold to minimalist and stylish.
You can use eBay on your web browser or the mobile app. Simply create an account and get searching!
Note: Not all second-hand couches will be eligible for delivery. Some sellers may prefer local pickup instead. Bear this in mind before making a bid or a purchase.
Goodwill
This infamous American nonprofit does a bit of everything, from providing job training and community programs to selling second-hand items in-store or on their online marketplaces.
Goodwill accepts thousands of donations, from jewelry and clothing to electronics and home furnishings. One of the biggest benefits of buying through Goodwill rather than eBay, for example, is that every item is quality checked.
This means you don’t have to worry about bidding on a stunning couch online, only to find out it was definitely *NOT* the same one in the picture…
To put your mind at rest, though, even if you do use eBay, this is a VERY uncommon occurrence even if you do use eBay. If you ever have any doubts about what you’re buying, message the seller directly and ask for more information.
2. Facebook Marketplace
Allow us to let you in on a little secret. Facebook marketplace is a GAME CHANGER. This little gem is a goldmine packed full of all sorts of preloved goodies.
If you use Facebook marketplace, you’ll need to set parameters to cover the distance you’re looking for products in, the sort of products you want to find, and more.
The only real downside to Facebook marketplace is that you can’t guarantee delivery, so you may need to prepare transportation to pick up your couch. Some sellers are willing to deliver to you, though (sometimes for a small fee), so don’t be put off just yet! The couch of your dreams may be right around the corner… literally!
3. Yard Sales
Who doesn’t love a good yard sale? They’re the thrifter’s dream, and if you get lucky and attend the right one, you may end up leaving with more than a handful of junk. Yard sales offer some of the most affordable preloved furniture EVER, often at bargain prices!
To increase your chances of finding a new couch at a yard sale, you’ll need to become a frequent visitor. The more yard sales you attend, the better. If you’re not sure how to find a yard sale near you, we’ve put together a handy list of tips and tricks…
Check advertisement boards in local shops and businesses
Look out for flyers through your door or on local street signs
Drive around the neighborhood during the semester and spring seasons (yes, really!) These are the most popular times for yard sales.
4. Mid-Range Furniture Stores
A bargain couch doesn’t always need to be second-hand. If you want to ditch the thrift shops, why not head to a local mid-range furniture store? There are plenty of well-known stores that offer cheaper furniture alternatives to some high-end competitors.
Plus, if you make sure to sign up for their newsletters and emails, the coupons come rolling in fast. Not sure where to shop? Here are just a few stores you can try:
Cost Plus World Market
Home Depot
Sofamania
Bob’s Discount Furniture
IKEA
T.J. Maxx
5. American Freight
American Freight is one of the most popular furniture discount retailers in the country, and for a good reason! The company is focused on providing affordable and accessible furniture for families across America – including couches!
America Freight has 170+ stores nationwide, and their prices range anywhere between $19-$1299. Unfortunately, there’s no returns policy, so all sales are final. So you’ll just have to be 100% confident that the bargain couch you’ve found is the right one for you!
Not only are American Freight a budget-friendly option, but they’re also an incredibly stylish one. Everything from American Freight is sleek and contemporary, with furnishings to suit almost any home!
6. Newspaper Adverts
Gone are the days when Newspaper adverts dominated the second-hand selling scene. Despite a sharp decrease in popularity (you can thank the world wide web for that), people still place plenty of adverts in newspapers across the country, selling various items – from electronics to home furnishings.
Some adverts may include pictures and others may not, however, there’s no reason you shouldn’t take a look! The truth is, not everyone has the internet. If you’re not checking out the local newspaper ads for your latest couch, you may be missing out on a real bargain.
7. Furniture Auctions
Auctions are one of the most fun and exciting ways to grab a bargain, and there are plenty of furniture auctions happening every day nationwide. The advantage of an in-person auction is that you can SEE what you’re bidding for!
Furniture auctions are also famous for selling quirky, vintage furniture – if you’re looking for a bold, statement couch that will get heads turning, a furniture auction may be the best place for you.
Not sure how to find your local auction house? You can use auctionzip.com to find the right one for you.
8. Amazon
Amazon is one of our favorite household names. They stock everything from shopping essentials to random items. With one quick search, you can also find plenty of budget-friendly couches to fit your living space!
If that isn’t enough, many couches also come with free shipping (your bank account will thank you!) If you’re looking for some inspiration, here’s just a few of the couches you can find on Amazon.com today:
If you need some more preloved inspo, why not head over to Craigslist? Thousands of new items are added to Craigslist every day, including hundreds of couches in all sorts of colors, designs, and conditions.
What’s more, Craigslist even has its own ‘free’ items section, with thousands of free furnishings just waiting to be collected!
Unfortunately, like Facebook marketplace, you’ll probably need to collect your couch. Few sellers offer delivery, but if you’re ready for a road trip, Craigslist is an option you WON’T want to miss out on!
Craigslist can be tricky to navigate. There aren’t many options for searching the whole site, and there’s no way to explore every single Craigslist site at once. Instead, you can use a third-party website or tool like searchcraigslist.org to search all listings at once.
10. Municibid.com
Municibid.com is a popular online auction marketplace. It’s mainly used by government agencies, authorities, and schools to sell their surplus assets to the public.
However, ANYONE can bid on municibid.com. You just need to sign up for a free account and have a valid US or Canadian ID to hand!
All auctions are held online and open 24 hours a day. There are plenty of couches to choose from on municibid.com, and if you’re in the market for other home furnishings, you may even find a new desk, table, or chair to go with it!
Municibid has everything you could dream of, and most products sell for EXTREMELY low prices. However, bidding can be competitive, so you’ll need to dedicate a good few hours being glued to your laptop to get the couch you’ve been dreaming of.
11. Kohls
If you’re after a shiny new couch (that’s still budget-friendly), head over to Kohls! Kohls currently has a beautiful range of couches to choose from, including Scandinavian-inspired designs, to the bold and eccentric.
However, Kohl’s is a little most expensive than some of our other mentions, so your budget may need to be a *little* more flexible to buy the right couch.
However, there is one BIG perk if you shop at Kohl’s. The company always has incredible deals on offer, from newsletter coupon deals to significant in-store rollbacks, that can save you anywhere from $20-$100!
You can even sign up for a Kohls card and save up to 35% off your new couch – what’s not to love? Oh, did we mention that most couches include free shipping, too?
12. Home Depot
I know we’ve mentioned Home Depot in passing, but we feel it’s worth a special shout-out. You’d be forgiven for thinking Home Depot is all hammers, nails, and timber, but they also stock some beautiful (and incredibly generously priced) furniture.
You can also pick up your purchases for FREE in store, in some cases in as little as two hours! Your couch may also be eligible for free delivery, which is a BIG bonus. Home Depot has something for everyone from three-seaters to loveseats and sofa beds.
13. Etsy
Yes, Etsy might be your go-to marketplace for quirky, bespoke gifts, but have you considered looking for a couch here? We’re here to tell you that you should, and here’s why.
Furniture on Etsy isn’t as expensive as you might think – some couches start at as low as $190 with free delivery! If you’re looking for an eccentric or quirky couch, Etsy should be at the top of your list.
The marketplace is famous for selling thousands of unique items, and its couches are no exception. Just take a look at some of the beautiful couches on offer below!
Like Home Depot, Target may not be your first choice for couches. However, Target stock a HUGE variety of couches in all sorts of designs, sizes, and fabrics – there’s something for everyone, regardless of how picky you are! Target is also known for its super-low prices, so you’re guaranteed to save a few bucks in the process.
You can choose from velvet, leather, linen, and more, and colors range from brown and gray to more unique designs.
Most Target couches also come with FREE standard shipping, and they start at as low as just $120! That’s an insanely low price for a brand new couch. So, what are you waiting for?
15. Bed Bath And Beyond
Yes, we said that right. Bed Bath and Beyond aren’t all hand soaps and delightful smellies. They also stock couches, too!
Bed Bath and Beyond stocks a range of couches, including sectional sofas, settees, loveseats, and more, with many coming in at under $500. In fact, the cheapest couch we could find was just $207.99!
Unfortunately, most low-priced couches are excluded from coupons. So, unless you can grab them in a sale (or with an online or in-store deal), you won’t be able to shave a few bucks off the sale price.
This isn’t a deal-breaker, though, because their lowest-priced couches are so cheap compared to other competitors, you’ll hardly be breaking the bank!
Bed Bath and Beyond offer free standard shipping on orders over $19. However, you may have to pay more in truck delivery or shipping surcharges for your couch. Most orders arrive within 3 to 6 business days, so you can have your new, budget-friendly couch in no time!
Buyers Guide
Before you run off to make a purchase, there are plenty of factors you need to consider. Let’s take a closer look at the things you need to know before buying your next low-budget couch.
Fabric
Fabric is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a new couch. The fabric you choose can determine the longevity of your couch and how susceptible to wear and tear it may be.
Cotton and wool blend couches may be easy to wash (if they have detachable cushions) but they’re more susceptible to staining. Their fibers may be durable, but they’re not the most family-friendly – especially if you have little ones!
Leather is another popular material. Unfortunately, leather couches will naturally stretch and snag with regular use, but they’re less likely to stain. Most spillages can be wiped away in no time with a damp cloth, which makes it an attractive choice of fabric for families.
Measurements
Before buying a new couch, make sure you measure up! ESPECIALLY if you’re buying a second-hand couch. Always ensure you ask the seller for measurements and compare these with the measurements of your living space to guarantee an accurate fit.
Also, ensure your couch will fit through doors and hallways when it’s delivered. If it looks like it might be a tight squeeze, make sure your couch has detachable parts.
Couch Legs
Legs are more than just a support system – they can also be a very distinctive style marker. When you’re buying a new couch, consider what legs you’d like it to have. Here are a few popular options:
Bun Feet: These feet are round and shallow, giving you a more subtle appearance.
Glides: Glides have no visible feet. If you’re a minimalist, this is a good choice. Couches with glides are also easier to maneuver than other complex leg designs.
Turned Legs: Turned legs give off a classic and distinctive wooden appearance; these legs are usually rounded.
Couch Styles
When you’re couch shopping, you may find yourself overwhelmed with choice. There are plenty of styles to choose from, and each one will bring a different appeal to your living space. So let’s take a look at some of the most common couch styles:
Mid-Century: Mid-century couches usually have a boxy shape, wooden legs, and low arms. Their appearance is rather sleek, so there are no plump cushions to fall back on here.
Chesterfield: Chesterfield couches are statement pieces, easily recognizable from their rolled backs and arms, which are the same height, and they’re usually made from leather.
Traditional: Traditional couches come in various shapes and sizes. However, they tend to feature rounded arms much lower than their backs. The arms are also short in length and usually don’t reach the front seat cushions.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of ways to get yourself a couch on a budget. Whether it’s a mid-range furniture store, an auction website, or a yard sale, your options are endless. Remember not to be put off by preloved couches on your shopping journey.
Many second-hand couches are in excellent condition and can still offer years of wear and enjoyment at a bargain price!
Hi, my name is Deborah White, and I love to save money where possible. I will be the first person to admit that I am frugal, but when you have three children and two low income salaries, saving money makes all the difference. This is why I decided to set up this site, to help others save money too.
