If you’ve ever waited too long to buy a new sofa or dining set, you know the pain of paying full price. The good news? There are specific holidays each year when furniture stores drop prices hard-sometimes by 50% or more. You don’t need to wait for Black Friday. In fact, some of the biggest deals happen at times most people don’t even think about.
Memorial Day Is the Real King of Furniture Sales
Forget Christmas. Memorial Day weekend (late May) is where the best furniture deals in the U.S. and UK start. Stores like IKEA, Ashley Furniture, Wayfair, and local retailers clear out last year’s inventory to make room for spring and summer lines. You’ll find deep discounts on sofas, sectionals, bedroom sets, and outdoor furniture. In 2024, average savings on sofas hit 42% during Memorial Day sales, according to data from RetailMeNot. That’s more than you’ll get on Labor Day or even Presidents’ Day.
Why? Retailers know people are planning outdoor living spaces, moving after school ends, or just finally getting around to upgrading their living room. They stack promotions: free delivery, 0% financing for 12 months, and bonus gift cards. If you’re looking for a new couch, Memorial Day is your best shot.
Fourth of July Isn’t Just for Fireworks
Right after Memorial Day, the next big window opens around the Fourth of July. This is especially true for outdoor furniture. Patios, deck sets, and garden loungers go on sale because stores need to move them before fall weather hits. You’ll also see solid discounts on indoor pieces-beds, dressers, bookshelves-that didn’t sell over the spring.
One trick: Look for “end-of-season clearance” signs. Many stores run two sales cycles: one in late spring and another in early summer. If you missed Memorial Day, July 4th is your second chance. In 2023, a customer in Leeds bought a 3-seater sofa for £599 (originally £1,199) during a Fourth of July promotion at DFS. That’s over 50% off.
Black Friday Still Matters-But Not Like You Think
Yes, Black Friday is huge. But here’s the catch: the best furniture deals often start the week before and drag through Cyber Monday. Some stores even begin promotions on Thanksgiving Day. The problem? The most popular items-like sectional sofas or sleeper beds-sell out fast. If you wait until Friday morning, you might be left with the last model in stock, in the wrong color.
Smart shoppers plan ahead. Sign up for email alerts from your favorite brands by mid-October. Set price trackers on sites like Honey or CamelCamelCamel. In 2024, a King-sized memory foam bed frame from Dunlopillo dropped from £899 to £479 on Black Friday, but only 3 were left by 10 a.m. That’s why timing matters more than the day itself.
Labour Day Is the UK’s Hidden Gem
In the UK, Labour Day (early September) is the quiet hero of furniture sales. Unlike the U.S., where Memorial Day rules, British retailers use Labour Day to clear summer stock before the colder months. It’s the perfect time to buy outdoor furniture you didn’t use, or to upgrade your home before winter sets in.
Stores like Habitat, John Lewis, and Made.com often run “Back to Home” sales. These include free assembly, extended return windows, and no-interest financing. A 2024 survey by Which? showed that 68% of UK furniture buyers who waited until Labour Day saved at least 30% compared to buying in August.
Other Surprising Days to Buy Furniture
There are a few lesser-known dates that still deliver solid discounts:
- President’s Day (February) - Good for bedroom sets and office furniture. Stores reset inventory after holiday returns.
- Amazon Prime Day (July) - Not always the cheapest, but great for smaller pieces like side tables, bookshelves, and accent chairs. Look for “Amazon’s Choice” tags.
- End of December (Dec 26-31) - Post-Christmas clearance. Many people return gifts or upgrade after the holidays. You’ll find leftovers from the holiday rush at steep discounts.
- January 2-15 - New Year’s reset. Retailers slash prices to hit annual sales targets. It’s not as big as Memorial Day, but if you’re patient, you can find hidden gems.
What Not to Buy on Sale (And When to Wait)
Not everything should be bought on sale. Some items lose value fast or aren’t worth the risk:
- Mattresses - Avoid buying on sale unless you can test it. Many discounted mattresses come from overstock or discontinued lines. Look for brands that offer 100-night trials.
- Custom or Built-in Furniture - If it’s made to order, there’s usually no discount. Save your money for standard sizes.
- High-end Brands (e.g., Roche Bobois, Poltrona Frau) - These rarely go on sale. If they do, it’s usually because they’re outdated. Buy direct from the brand during their own clearance events.
- Upholstered Furniture - Cheap fabric on sale can mean poor quality. Check the density of foam and frame material. Solid wood beats particleboard every time.
Instead of rushing, ask: “Will I still love this in 5 years?” If the answer’s yes, wait for the right sale. If it’s just trendy, skip it.
How to Spot a Real Deal
Not every “50% OFF” is real. Here’s how to tell:
- Check the original price on the product page. Was it listed at £1,200 last month? Or did they just raise it to make the discount look bigger?
- Use Google Shopping or Price2Spy to track price history. You’ll see if the sale price is actually lower than the 90-day average.
- Look for “factory direct” or “clearance” tags. These usually mean real discounts, not fake markups.
- Call the store. Ask if they’ll match an online price. Many local furniture shops will beat Amazon or Wayfair by 5-10%.
In Leeds, stores like The Furniture Village and The Range often price-match online deals. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Final Tip: Buy Early, Not Last Minute
The biggest mistake people make? Waiting until the last day of a sale. Popular items sell out. Delivery slots fill up. You might get a great price-but end up waiting 8 weeks for delivery because the warehouse is backed up.
Best practice: Start shopping 10-14 days before the holiday. That’s when stores release early access to loyal customers. Sign up for newsletters. Follow brands on social media. Some even give a 10% bonus discount just for joining their email list.
If you’re serious about upgrading your home, mark your calendar: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labour Day, and Black Friday. Those are your four power days. Everything else is noise.
Is Memorial Day the best time to buy furniture in the UK?
While Memorial Day is a major sale in the U.S., in the UK, Labour Day (early September) and the end-of-year sales (December-January) are more reliable. However, many UK retailers now run Memorial Day promotions to match U.S. trends, so it’s still worth checking. The best deals for UK buyers typically come in September and after Christmas.
Do furniture stores offer discounts online only?
No. Many brick-and-mortar stores like DFS, John Lewis, and The Range offer the same deals online and in-store. Sometimes, in-store sales include free delivery or assembly, which online deals don’t always cover. It’s smart to compare both. Visit the store to test comfort and quality before buying online.
Should I buy furniture on Black Friday or wait for January sales?
Black Friday usually has the widest selection and deepest discounts, especially on popular items. But if you’re flexible, January sales can offer similar savings on leftover stock-sometimes with better delivery timing. If you need it by winter, go Black Friday. If you can wait, January gives you more time to compare.
Are refurbished or returned furniture items worth buying?
Yes-if the store has a good return policy. Brands like IKEA and Wayfair sell certified refurbished pieces with warranties. These are often returned because of buyer’s remorse, not defects. Check for scratches, loose joints, or fabric wear. If it’s clean and solid, you can save 30-60%.
What’s the average savings on furniture during holiday sales?
Average savings range from 25% to 50%, depending on the item and retailer. Sofas and bedroom sets often hit 40-50% off during Memorial Day and Labour Day. Smaller items like side tables or lamps may only drop 15-25%. Always compare the pre-sale price to the 3-month average using price trackers.
Next Steps: Plan Your Buy
Here’s what to do right now:
- Make a list of what you need: sofa? bed? dining table?
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Sign up for email alerts from 3-5 major retailers.
- Use a price tracker tool to monitor your top items.
- Mark your calendar: Memorial Day (May 26, 2025), Labour Day (Sept 1, 2025), Black Friday (Nov 28, 2025).
Don’t wait for the perfect deal. Wait for the right time. And when that time comes, act fast. The best furniture doesn’t stay on sale for long.
