Where To Get Cheap Couches for Your New Home

Do you call it a couch, sofa, divan, settee, or davenport? Whether you’ve just moved into a new house or have the itch to change up your living room, choosing the right piece of primary living room furniture for seating is central to the process.

But finding the perfect couch can be tricky — it needs to fit with your room’s style, be comfortable enough for daily use, and fit within your budget.

Our team at Easy Donation Pickup, which benefits America’s veterans, handles more couches than we can count, and we’ve learned a lot about where to get good, sturdy, inexpensive couches. Here are a few tips to help you get the best bang for your buck.

7 Top Stores Where You Can Find Cheap Furniture

The first place most people look when couch-shopping is at big retail chains. While many new couches tend to cost thousands of dollars, with a bit of patience, you may be able to find a cheap couch online or at your local furniture store.

We recommend checking out the couches in person before committing, since you may find that couches that look great aren’t necessarily comfortable to sit upon. So, where do you get cheap couches?

Walmart

Walmart is the go-to shop for cheap stuff, and this is true for its couches as well. Walmart’s offerings start as low as $130, and most of their products qualify for free shipping. With thousands of options available, you’re sure to find something that fits your needs and your home’s style.

IKEA

IKEA combines style and functionality, though it’s also notorious for its challenging flat-pack furniture assembly. The good news is that IKEA’s couches are more user-friendly than some of its other products, making them a worthwhile choice for anyone willing to put in a bit of assembly time.

Starting at $140, IKEA couches are affordable, stylish, and well worth the effort.

Big Lots

Big Lots is a huge store that sells thousands of products online and in its showrooms. While its baseline prices are more expensive than IKEA or Walmart, Big Lots regularly offers significant discounts that can cut half the price off a particular piece of furniture. If you’re patient, you can get a great deal while also qualifying for free shipping.

Overstock

Overstock is an online retailer specializing in overstocked goods. What this means is that you can get great deals on expensive items. Signing up for the Overstock newsletter will give you a coupon and access to promos for even more savings, as long as you’re willing to wait for a sale or special.

Home Goods

Unlike many other furniture stores on our list, Home Goods doesn’t have much of an online presence but has over 500 locations in the U.S. You’ll find excellent prices when compared to most other furniture stores, and managers are usually willing to negotiate even further. If you have a store in your area, put it high on your list of places to shop.

Wayfair

With over 18 million items in its online store, Wayfair is definitely a great option for finding a variety of couches to suit your home decor. As with most large retailers, you can expect constant discounts and promotions, so check in regularly to find new offers and get the couch you want at a price you like.

American Furniture Warehouse

American Furniture Warehouse is a local organization that prides itself on high-quality products at affordable prices, making it the perfect place to find great deals on couches you can keep for decades, or until you feel like a change.

How Much Should You Pay for a Couch?

One of the risks of buying cheap furniture is that it’s often badly constructed from poor-quality materials. In general, cheap furniture is fine for a couple of years but will need replacing far sooner than higher-quality products.

Couch prices vary dramatically. Not only do some stores add a premium to their prices, but these prices can also vary by location. Also, larger couches are usually much more expensive than smaller two-seaters or loveseats, and certain trendy styles tend to cost more than the classics.

Buying New

High-end couches can go for upwards of $20,000, but you can get decent-quality couches for around $300 and up. While some stores offer cheaper options, you will get what you pay for. Cheap furniture will have poorer build quality than more costly options, which may be fine as a short-term furnishing solution but may not meet your needs.

That’s why it’s so important to go see a couch in person whenever possible. Knowing where to get cheap couches is only half the challenge; the other half is knowing a good deal when you see it.

Buying Used

Many people dislike the idea of used couches, mainly because they feel “dirty” and often have minor scuffs and tears. However, it’s possible to find very good couches in reasonable condition, especially if you’re willing to put in the work (or pay someone) to clean or reupholster them before you start using them.

Ideally, you should never pay more than $100 for a small couch and $200 for a large couch when buying used. These prices may depend on your area, but they are a good starting range when you first start shopping around.

Best Months To Buy a Couch on Sale

Furniture stores once had huge clearance sales at the end of every season and would also raise their prices to take advantage of certain holidays. However, with the advent of online shopping, you can be sure that at least one furniture store will have some form of promo or sale going on at any time.

While you may eke out an additional 5% discount during major holidays, there is no “best month” when it comes to buying couches. Make sure to sign up for newsletters, ask around for promo codes, and keep an eye out for deep discounts by wishlisting couches you like. With a bit of patience, you can get the couch of your dreams at a surprisingly good price.

Other Ways To Find Couches

If you’re willing to consider buying used, you can open yourself up to a completely new world of couch shopping. Used couches may not have that “new furniture” appeal, but they’re often terrific value for money and leave you with plenty of room to negotiate.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is an excellent source of second-hand goods, ranging from furniture to games, books, and even clothing. What makes the platform so appealing is that it focuses on local trades, making it easy to find couches in your area.

While Facebook Marketplace tends to promote in-person exchanges, it also offers an online payment option that comes with fraud protection.

Craigslist

Craigslist may sometimes feel like a wild free-for-all, but if you’re willing to stick to furniture searches, it’s easy to find amazing deals. Since many people who sell couches really need the space, it’s relatively easy to find “free” couches, where the only cost is picking the item up. The only risk is that you’ll need to act fast, because couches on sidewalks tend to disappear quickly.

Tips for Buying Second-Hand Furniture

Most second-hand sites only connect buyers and sellers and don’t provide any form of quality assurance or support. This means that it’s your responsibility to ensure your safety throughout the transaction while also making sure you’re getting the deal you want.

Before you get in your truck to fetch a couch you like, ask the seller the following questions:

• What are the couch’s dimensions?
• Why are you selling the couch?
• Is your property smoke-free?
• Do you have pets?
• Can you deliver?
• How long have you had the couch?

These questions will give you a better understanding of the couch’s condition and whether it’s worth your time and money. Asking questions also lets you get a feel for the seller — if they don’t respond, you know they’re not really interested in selling.

In most cases, you’ll need to pick the couch up yourself or organize delivery through a company. If you decide to pick up the couch yourself, be sure to exercise caution and take a friend along, both for safety and to help move the couch. Hiring a moving company is safer, but you may end up committing to a couch that looks much better in the photos than it does in real life.

Buying second-hand goods through online marketplaces is always risky, so be sure to follow some simple precautions to avoid getting scammed.

Used couches vary dramatically in condition, from practically pristine to well-loved, and in many cases, it’s a good idea to consider a spring clean before bringing the couch into your home. You can either clean the couch yourself or hire a professional carpet and upholstery company to do it for you. It may add to the final cost of the couch, but it can add a “new” feeling to buying the furniture that you wouldn’t get otherwise.

Buying Second-Hand Couches from Charities

Charities are becoming an increasingly popular way to buy second-hand furniture. They alleviate many of the problems that online marketplaces have for buyers and sellers alike. Sellers often find the convenience of free donation pickup appealing, while buyers like having the security of a reputable charity when making their purchase.

The good news is that many local and national charities sell couches and other furniture items. Some work through thrift stores in the area, while others have dedicated resale locations where you can find great deals while donating to a good cause.

Goodwill

Goodwill is a massive charity, with over 156 community organizations across the globe. While most people associate Goodwill with second-hand clothes, the charity also takes furniture and other large items.

Your best bet for finding the couch of your dreams is through Goodwill’s online store, which raises money to benefit people in your area. You can also check out the charity’s auction site, which offers $0.01 shipping on a huge range of items, ranging from storage to gaming consoles, handbags, and couches too.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a charitable organization that builds safe and affordable housing both nationally and abroad. The organization has several in-person stores, called ReStores, that sell donated items such as furniture, appliances, and building materials. All of the proceeds from these stores go to building homes or paying for home repairs.

Unfortunately, Habitat for Humanity doesn’t have an online store for donated items, so you’ll need to find one of the 900+ in-person locations within your area.

The Arc

The Arc is a charitable organization dedicated to helping those with intellectual or developmental disabilities gain the tools they need to participate fully in their community. The Arc relies primarily on physical donations, such as furniture, clothes, books, and toys, to support its efforts. Buying at one of its thrift stores is a great way to donate to the cause.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army tackles large issues such as hunger, poverty, disaster relief, and human trafficking. This Christian organization relies on donations to support its efforts. The organization has many thrift stores across the U.S., and its strict donation policy means that you’re more likely to find high-quality, lightly used couches than some of the other charity shops you visit.

AMVETS

American Veterans supports local veterans by providing access to necessary service programs and offering support and jobs. AMVETS doesn’t have its own stores, but instead sells donated goods to thrift stores in a particular area and uses the proceeds to fund its activities.

Get a Headstart on Your Couch-Shopping Journey

Knowing where to get cheap couches is the first step to getting great deals on a couch that fits your lifestyle and home decor. And when it’s time to move or leave your couch behind, you can take advantage of scheduling a free donation pick-up from our organization, Easy Donation Pickup, to make sure your beloved couch goes to a good home.

Serving Los Angeles and Orange County, we’ll come to your home. Call us at 855-628-8387 today!