True story: last spring, I sold most of my earthly belongings in preparation for moving out of the country indefinitely. The moving part didn’t end up happening (that’s a tale for another time), but finding myself with a completely bare apartment most definitely did. For two months, my living room decor consisted of a papisan chair, a TV tray and my TV. A year and a half later, I’ve managed to procure enough furniture (and accessories) to fully furnish a 2 bedroom home. And the kicker? I did it all on a pretty tight budget.

I was lucky to have amazing friends who took pity on me and gave me their castaways (a vintage dining table, an armoir and five bookcases are just a few of the goodies I managed to score). But when it came to parting with my hard-earned cash, I was pretty discerning. I wanted high style at a low price – not an easy combo. But with some research, a heavy dose of patience and even some negotiating, it can be done. And done well.

Here are my top picks for budget-friendly furniture shopping in the ICT:

1. Furniture on Consignment – This may seem like an obvious choice, but the mammoth-sized warehouse store at 13th and Oliver houses a combination of new and consignment items that will easily fit any budget. A five-piece furniture set (that doesn’t look super cheesy) can be had for under $1,000 and sometimes as low as $500. Keep an eye on sales and coupon deals to save even more.
2. Abode Home – Not necessarily budget-friendly at first glance, this gorgeous, locally-owned store does have deals waiting to be found. Don’t get scared off by some of the steep price tags and check out the sale items (plus special offers occasionally available on their website). The store often hosts Final Friday events and various fundraisers, so you can always casually check out the inventory before you’re ready to buy. Some of the most unique items in my friends’ homes came from Abode.
3. Jim’s Furniture - verb [ICT]’s own Carly Holmes recommends this off-the-beaten-path choice. While it may not have the best location (ahem, South Broadway), the two-story store, which appears to be converted from an old house, carries inexpensive, well-made furniture. If you’re willing to brave the unconventional experience, you may find yourself taking home items that look like they just came off Slumberland’s showroom floor, but you’ll pay a lot less.
4. World Market – I can easily spend hours browsing through the specialty food items, home accessories and awesome selection of tableware at this chain. But it’s easy to forget the store also offers furniture and, often, really good deals. If you’re looking for a bargain, go at the end of the season and always check out the back-to-school sales.
5. Furniture Row - This Denver-based chain offers private label furniture at reasonable prices. If you can catch a floor model for sale or peruse the overstock/damaged area in the back of each store, you may find a decent bargain. The downside? Your furniture will look exactly like everyone else’s.
6. A Legacy Antique Mall - The South Emporia antique store boasts two floors full of treasures that could be yours, especially if vintage is your thing. verb [ICT]’s Steph Barnard swears by the place and has added lots of pieces to her home, all at a decent price.
7. Garage Sales – Wichita garage sales are marathons of cheap thrills. They start on Thursday, end on Saturday and driving through nearly any neighborhood during warmer months can net lots of new pieces for your home. Don’t like the sticker price on an item? Ask the owner if they’ll take less. I’m always surprised by how overvalued items can be at garage sales. Rule of thumb – if it cost $100 brand new, it should be more like $10-$20 at a garage sale, sometimes less. Like if it was $100 in 1982. Remember, you’re shopping in someone’s garage, not the mall. Negotiate. And if you don’t think you can find cool furniture at garage sales, think again. Two of my favorite chairs came from a garage sale for $2 apiece.
8. Craigslist – Perusing Craigslist for furniture requires patience (and a sense of humor). One out of every 20 items advertised is actually decent, most are junk. But if you’re persistent, it can pay off. Just like with garage sales, everyone selling something on Craigslist thinks their junk is worth more than it really is. Always try to make a deal. And bring a friend (preferable male and of large stature) when picking up your new-to-you item. You’ll need the extra muscle and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
9. IKEA – The closest store from this Swedish chain is in Dallas, but it’s worth the drive if you’ve never experienced the magic that is IKEA. The top floor of this enormous warehouse is set up as a giant showroom where you can browse and write down the item numbers from the overwhelming selection of furniture and accessories. On the bottom floor, shop the many rooms full of accessories and make your way to the huge furniture area where you’ll find your desired items by number. Everything is packed into flat boxes, meaning you might as well get friendly with an Allen wrench because you’re about to use one for a few hours while you put your new purchases together. The bottom line – you can find items at IKEA that look good and cost very little. Side tables as low as $10? Wine glasses for $1 apiece? I think you can see what I mean about “magic.”
10. Shopping online – Crate and Barrel (also known as my idea of heaven) and its less expensive sister store, CB2, are just two of the multitudes of great places to buy furniture online. I’ve found awesome deals at Overstock.com and (gulp) HSN. Yes, HSN (where you can often break up the cost into three or four payments). While I’m not often impressed by the furniture in local Target stores, Target.com has a behemoth selection and great reviews from other shoppers.

Are there other great furniture bargains just waiting to happen in Wichita? Leave a comment and fill us in.

Photo by Eric Wittman

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