The short answer: furniture retailers most often discount around the big holiday weekends, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Black Friday, and in late winter and late summer, when stores clear older stock before new collections arrive. But the best time to buy is when you need the couch and have found one that fits your room and budget: a fair everyday price with low delivery costs and free returns can beat a sale price with high freight charges.
When furniture usually goes on sale
| When | Why |
|---|---|
| January-February | Stores clear stock before spring collections; Presidents’ Day sales. |
| Late May | Memorial Day weekend sales. |
| Early July | Fourth of July sales. |
| July-early September | Clearance before fall collections; Labor Day sales. |
| Late November | Black Friday and Cyber Monday. |
Sale calendars differ from retailer to retailer, and not every store follows them.
Compare the total cost, not the discount
- Delivery: freight on a sofa can add a lot to the price. We charge a flat $20 per sofa to all 50 states.
- Returns: check for return shipping costs and restocking fees. Ours are free within 30 days of delivery.
- Tax and any protection plan.
- Lead time: a discount matters less if the sofa takes months to arrive.
Our guide on how much a couch costs lists typical prices by type.
How to tell if a sale is real
- Watch the price for a few weeks before a big sale weekend. A “was” price that the item never sold at isn’t a real discount.
- Compare like for like: the same width, fabric and configuration at other stores.
- Read what is excluded: some sales leave out new collections, popular colors or delivery.
- Check the return terms on sale items, which are sometimes final sale.
When other furniture usually goes on sale
- Mattresses: commonly discounted around Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Black Friday.
- Outdoor and patio furniture: cheapest in late summer and early fall, when stores clear the season.
- Desks and dorm furniture: back-to-school sales in July and August.
- Dining and bedroom furniture: often follow the same January-February and July-August clearance pattern as sofas.
When not to wait
- Your current couch is broken, sagging or uncomfortable; see how long a couch lasts.
- You are moving and need seating by a certain date. Allow for delivery time: most of our orders arrive within 5-10 business days.
- You have found the right size and shape. A sofa that fits your room and your doorway is worth more than a bigger discount on one that doesn’t.
Before you buy, at any time of year
- Measure your room and the route in with our measuring guide.
- Decide on the shape and size using how to choose a sofa.
- Pick a fabric that suits your household in types of couch material.
- Read the delivery and return terms.
Frequently asked questions
What month is best to buy a couch?
January, February, July and August are the usual clearance months, and holiday weekends bring promotions, but it varies by retailer.
Is it cheaper to buy a couch online?
Often, because online stores have lower showroom costs, but compare the total: delivery, returns and assembly can erase the difference. A flat delivery fee and free returns make online buying lower-risk.
Can you negotiate the price of a couch?
In some showrooms, yes, especially for floor models or discontinued fabrics. Online prices are usually fixed, so compare totals instead.
Is Black Friday a good time to buy furniture?
Many retailers discount then, but compare the price with earlier in the year, and check delivery times, which can be longer in the holiday season.
On a budget? See couches under $500 and sofas under $1,000.