How to Buy Cheap Sofas & Loveseats
Sofas and loveseats are the most integral pieces of furniture in a living room, and one of the most important in the entire house. However, they can often be pricey, consuming a large portion of a decorating budget, leaving no money for other furniture and decorations. Fortunately, buying cheap sofas and loveseats simply requires a little preparation, footwork and perseverance. By determining your resources and doing some research, it is not difficult to find cheap sofas and loveseats. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Set a budget. Cheap does not mean the same thing to everyone. If you have not set a clear spending limit for your sofa or loveseat purchase, you may be tempted to go over budget if you come across a "find" that you really like. An important part of buying a cheap sofa or love seat is patience, and if you do not have a clear idea of what you have to spend, it can be easy to grow impatient and purchase something over your budget. Also, the budget should include all purchases you need to make, including cleaning supplies, throw pillows and slipcovers.
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Research available resources. First, consider friends, family members or co-workers who may have a sofa or loveseat that they would be willing to sell for cheap, or even give you. Search online resources such as Craigslist and Freecycle where you can search for furniture. Look through the classifieds for both furniture listings, and garage and estate sale listings. Make a list of local thrift stores, Salvation Army locations and flea markets.
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Determine your style. Before you head out to find your cheap sofa or loveseat, think about the specifications you desire. Measure the space where you want to put the furniture; write down this information and carry it with you as you shop. Next, consider color and style -- and how flexible you can be with these. For example, you may want a black couch, but before you shop, determine whether you are open to considering brown as well. The more open-minded you can be, the more quickly you will find a sofa, but make sure you know what you really want. Other things to consider are sofa style, height, upholstery, and whether you would like a normal or a sleeper sofa.
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Follow up on your resources. Once you have a clear idea of what you want and what you have to spend, begin using your resources to find your cheap sofa or loveseat. Set aside a day to search your online resources, go to yard sales or visit thrift stores.
When you find a sofa or loveseat that you like and fits within your cost specifications, test the furniture to make sure it is really a good value. Check for tears, scuffs, unsteady construction and strange smells. While none of these needs to be deal-breakers, you must take into consideration any cleaning or repair costs you may incur.
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Fix it up before you bring it into your home. For every sofa and loveseat, this means cleaning it thoroughly. Use a vacuum to get in all crevices, and remove all the cushions. Use a cleaner appropriate to the upholstery to clean and remove any smells. Once the sofa is clean, make any other necessary repairs, such as stitching tears.
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Resources
- Photo Credit woman on sofa image by Valentin Mosichev from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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You can also check local small furniture stores like Carolina Rustica to see what stock they have, often times they will sell their floor inventory at a greatly discounted rate to keep it moving and make room for new inventory.
