When Is the Best Time to Buy Furniture?
Timing your furniture purchase isn’t just about chasing discounts. It’s about understanding how the industry moves, when collections turn over, and when retailers quietly make room for what’s next.
Buy at the right moment, and you’re not just saving money. You’re buying smarter.
Why timing your furniture purchase actually matters
Furniture pricing isn’t random. It follows retail calendars, product life cycles, and human behaviour. New collections arrive, old ones need to move, warehouses need space, and prices soften accordingly.
If you’re wondering when the best time to buy furniture is, the short answer is: when retailers are clearing out yesterday to make room for tomorrow.
The best months to buy furniture (and why)
While deals appear year-round, some months consistently offer better savings:
January and February: After the holidays and before spring stock arrives, stores discount older inventory to clear space. Great for living room, bedroom, and larger pieces.
May to July: Many retailers run mid-summer promotions; a great time for sofas, indoor furniture, and patio essentials.
September and October: Deep discounts across almost all furniture categories, online and in-store.
November and December: One of Canada’s biggest sales periods, clearing remaining inventory with steep markdowns.
Major sales events worth waiting for
Victoria Day
Late May’s long weekend kicks off summer sales, with retailers discounting older stock to make way for new summer arrivals—ideal for living room, bedroom, and outdoor furniture. Many stores also use this period to introduce early summer collections at slightly reduced prices, so it’s a great time to snag both clearance and newly released items.
Canada Day
While not always as massive as other holidays, Canada Day often features mid-summer furniture promotions, especially on made-in-Canada or outdoor lines. It’s also an opportunity to take advantage of seasonal markdowns before the rush of fall collections.
Labour Day
A key end-of-summer sale period in Canada, offering deals on indoor and outdoor furniture as stores transition to fall collections. Many retailers use Labour Day to clear out summer inventory, so patio sets and indoor pieces can see significant discounts.
BFCM (Black Friday and Cyber Monday)
This iconic shopping extravaganza needs no introduction. Late November remains the most promotion-heavy period of the year, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales. This sale offers some of the most significant discounts of the year across various categories, including furniture.
Boxing Day
Canada’s signature year-end sale period, with steep discounts on almost all furniture categories as retailers clear leftover inventory after Christmas. It’s particularly good for last-minute upgrades to living spaces or for planning ahead for the new year’s décor refresh.
Best time of year to buy furniture (at a glance)
| Period | Why prices drop | What to buy |
|---|---|---|
| January–February | Post-holiday slowdown, new spring lines incoming | Living room, bedroom furniture |
| May–July | Victoria Day sales kick off summer markdowns, Canada Day promotions | Sofas, indoor & patio furniture |
| September–October | Labour Day clearance before fall stock arrives | Indoor and outdoor furniture |
| November–December | Black Friday & Cyber Monday, Boxing Day year-end clearance | Almost everything |
Smart ways to save beyond sale calendars
Clearance and last-call pieces: Discontinued designs and returns often carry the deepest discounts. Functionally perfect, aesthetically unchanged, priced to move.
Floor models: They’ve been sat on, tested, and admired. That’s it. If minor wear doesn’t bother you, this is value hiding in plain sight.
Buying seasonally out of season: Outdoor furniture in fall. Heavier living room furniture in summer. Retail logic works in your favor when you don’t follow the crowd.
So, when is the best time to buy furniture?
Understanding the key shopping periods and sales events allows you to make smart decisions and furnish your space without overspending. The best time is when your needs meet retail reality:
Late May rewards early summer planners.
July favors mid-year bargain hunters.
September is perfect for patient shoppers clearing summer stock.
November and December caters to those seeking the deepest discounts.
Remember to keep an eye out for those clearance sales, holiday promotions, and seasonal discounts to snag the best deals.
Frequently asked questions about the best times to buy furniture
When is the best time to buy bedroom furniture?
While you might find decent deals on bedroom furniture throughout the year, consider shopping during January and February or November and December. These months often see retailers clearing out older inventory to make way for new collections, resulting in attractive discounts on bedroom sets, mattresses, and more.
When is the best time to buy living room furniture?
The best time to buy living room furniture can vary depending on the specific pieces you're looking for. However, you can generally find good deals during major holiday sales events like Victoria Day, Labour Day, and Black Friday. Additionally, keep an eye out for clearance sales at the end of winter and summer.
When is the best time to buy outdoor furniture?
If you're looking to spruce up your outdoor space, the best time to buy outdoor furniture is generally towards the end of summer (September and October) or during clearance sales like Labour Day. Retailers often discount outdoor furniture as the season winds down to make room for new inventory.
