NWR: Does anyone have suggestions for mid-range furniture?

kahluakoala

Hey Knotties - 

So I recently moved into my first "real" home (condo that SO and I own) and we're trying to furnish it in a way that's relatively inexpensive but we can keep for a long time. Basically, we're trying to step up from ikea / target stuff (most of which is the stuff we already have) but aren't ready for, say, pottery barn or west elm.

Anyone have suggestions? I'm looking at some used stuff too, but want to see if anyone has suggestions for new furniture at reasonable prices (but is fairly high quality)

badbnagdway

I like Furniture Row if you have one near you - I would describe it as mid-range furniture - good quality for the price, much better than Ashley. 

Also - for used furniture, around me there is a local facebook group for buy/sell. The good stuff goes quickly but I've been surprised how nice a lot of the furniture looks. People who are moving or getting new furniture frequently will let stuff go pretty cheap as long as someone will come pick it up. 

kvruns

I'm not sure if this is just a local place but I bought my furniture from Kittles outlet, which was the Kittles brand but cheaper prices. I looked at Rooms Express, Ashley, and maybe somewhere else but the outlet was the best quality and prices.

CMGragain

Where are you located?

Most of my wood furniture came from garage sales.  I bought them years ago and refinished them.  Solid wood furniture was more common in the old days, and you can find bargains if you are patient.  Look for estate sales.  My Victorian dining room cabinet and server cost me $50 from an old house in the old part of town.  My solid cherry wood dining room and five chairs were $225, bought off a driveway sale.
My upholstered furniture came from Furniture Row and Lazy Boy.  It gets replaced about every ten years.

OurWildKingdom

Check your Habitat for Humanity ReStore if you have one. Sometimes you can score some really nice things cheap.

floridabride44

Big Lots! Might be a little lower quality than you're looking for, but we've actually found some pretty nice stuff there. Got our couches there and love 'em! 

Also, Overstock.com although I'm sometimes hesitant to buy something that I've never seen in person. I've ordered a few things from there recently (coffee table, dining room chairs, light fixture) and everything has been great. Plus there are plenty of coupon codes floating around and you can always get at least 10% off.

ericasm0703

I second estate/moving sales and refinishing old things. FI and I were able to get a huge china cabinet for $150. We use it for displaying our collectables and awards since we don't have any china. I haven't personally used Overstock but my friend has gotten a lot of things from there and hasn't been disappointed.

OurWildKingdom

Don't rule out consignment or small independent furniture stores. 

CMGragain

When family members pass away, there is often a scramble to get rid of their things quickly.  Small items like jewelry or silver are not a problem since the relatives will usually claim these.  Large items of furniture are often sent to charity if not quickly sold at an estate sale.  This is especially true in senior apartment centers.
When my mother died in 2013, I paid to have her formal dining room set trucked to my daughter's house.  It was Thomasville, and it looks terrific in her house.  Is it modern style?  No.  Italian Provincial is still beautiful, and goes well with modern pottery.  That table never saw the light of day until my daughter got it, since Mom always kept it covered in a white plastic table cloth.  (Why, Mom?)
 I remember when my grandmother's Golden Oak dining room set was auctioned for $400.  It was antique, circa 1880, and complete with oak sideboard.

kmmssg

I was just going to chime in with estate sales. I am now a civilian and I work for 2 full bird Colonels. One of them has a 6,000 sq ft house and his wife scours estate sales. They have some beautiful stuff because they are very patient. My problem? I live in this very small town and every estate sale has furniture that would have come out of my grandmother's house (and that's not a good thing...)

charlotte989875

Third (or fourth) recommend estate sales. We're about to do the same thing and we recently bought a beautiful antique table in fantastic condition for a fraction what it would cost and an Ethan Allen couch, almost new, for practically nothing. Especially if you're willing to restain or do a little maintenance. We have far better furniture than we should have. 

TrixieJess

I would suggest spending money on things like your couch and bed/mattress/box spring, dining room set, and living room chairs, and less money on things like dressers, vanities, wardrobes, coffee tables, end tables and table and floor lamps. 

TNDancer

We just went through the couch shopping process. From the various stores, the sets we priced out ranged from $1600-$6200. We ended up with a set from Ashley. It was the nicer side of their stock and around $4600 after delivery, warranty, etc. We do not have kids or destructive pets, so should last us awhile.