Biggest Furniture Sale Event of the Year: What to Know

If you’re thinking about revamping your living room or grabbing that dream couch, timing is everything. Furniture stores pull out all the stops for a few days each year—sometimes slashing prices by forty percent or more. So, what’s the biggest sale event of the whole year? It’s a toss-up between Black Friday and Memorial Day, but for furniture specifically, Memorial Day weekend often takes the crown.

During Memorial Day, stores clear out old inventory to make space for new collections. That means recent models, floor samples, and even trendy pieces get marked down. I’ve seen people snag $1,000 sofas for half price just because they showed up early. If you want to furnish a whole room, this is hands-down the week to bookmark.

• When Is the Biggest Furniture Sale Event?
• Why Do Prices Drop So Much?
• Hidden Gems and Overlooked Sale Dates
• Tips for Scoring the Best Deals

When Is the Biggest Furniture Sale Event?

If you’re serious about saving cash on your next couch or bedroom set, you need to know when the biggest furniture sale event happens. For most stores across the U.S., it’s Memorial Day weekend—usually landing at the end of May. Sure, Black Friday is a big deal for electronics, but for furniture, Memorial Day consistently beats it in both size and depth of discounts. Stores prep for summer stock, so they clear out spring models for major markdowns.

Here's a look at the top three furniture sale weekends based on nationwide store data:

The real win with Memorial Day is the mix of both in-store and online bargains. Some brands even start weeklong sales leading up to the holiday. You’ll see floor models, last-season colors, and big-ticket goods all going for way less than usual. Loads of people wait for this event and stores usually beef up their staff because foot traffic nearly doubles. If you want options, show up right when doors open or set your alarm for midnight when online sales drop.

One more tip? Big furniture chains often tease their best deals a week early, so sign up for emails and get a head start on everyone else hunting for deals.

Why Do Prices Drop So Much?

If you’ve ever wondered why furniture prices seem to magically drop during those huge sale weekends, it’s actually all about timing, inventory, and competition. Memorial Day and Black Friday aren’t just random dates. Stores use these weekends to move products that have been sitting around for months. Manufacturers roll out new collections in late summer and early fall, so retailers need to clear out older stuff to make room.

Some brands even give special incentives to stores—extra discounts or bonuses—if they can shift a certain amount of inventory by a deadline. This pressure trickles down to us, the shoppers, in the form of steep discounts. Retailers would rather sell a sofa at break-even (or even a small loss) than pay for warehouse space and take the risk of it never selling.

Here’s what usually triggers those big price cuts:

• Furniture sale events are highly competitive—stores are fighting for your business, so prices drop fast.
• Inventory costs go up the longer items sit unsold, so stores dump old models to save money.
• New season means new styles, making last year’s pieces less trendy, so stores want to push them out quickly.
• Holiday weekends bring a huge spike in foot traffic and online shopping—perfect timing for stores to run big promos.

Don’t be surprised to see the biggest brand names dropping their prices just to stay in the game. In 2024, some furniture chains reported a 60% jump in sales during Memorial Day weekend, all thanks to aggressive price drops. At the end of the day, it’s a chance for stores to reset their shelves, and for us to upgrade our spaces for way less money.

Hidden Gems and Overlooked Sale Dates

If you only watch for Memorial Day or Black Friday deals, you're missing out. Furniture stores run some seriously good sales at times that fly under most people’s radar. Want to stretch your budget the furthest? Mark a few more dates on your calendar.

First, Presidents’ Day in February is a big deal for furniture discounts—especially mattresses and bedroom sets. Retailers want to spark sales after the slow winter months, and they often roll out steep savings before the spring stock arrives. Another one to keep in mind is Labor Day in early September. Summer clearance means you’ll see living room and dining sets with extra markdowns since shops need space for fall styles.

There’s also New Year’s sales, usually starting on January 1st and running for a week or two. Stores slap discounts on almost everything, including big-ticket items like sectionals and bed frames, just to get shoppers in after the holiday rush. For people who want a furniture sale without the Black Friday crowds, these quieter events can be goldmines.

Don’t overlook end-of-season warehouse or floor model clearance sales, either. These don’t always have set dates, but calling your local store and asking when they turn over inventory can lead to serious finds—sometimes with extra negotiation room if you catch a manager in a good mood.

• Presidents’ Day: Great for mattresses and bedroom sets.
• Labor Day: Deep summer clearance, especially for living and dining room furniture.
• New Year’s sales: Storewide discounts on big-ticket pieces.
• End-of-season clearances: Ask your store for timing—these are perfect for bargain hunters.

Knowing these lesser-known sale dates can make a real difference, especially if you want to shop when stores are less crowded and staff can give you more attention.

Tips for Scoring the Best Deals

If you want to get the most out of the furniture sale season, don’t just show up and hope for the best. A little planning can mean the difference between an ordinary deal and real savings.

• Start Early: The best stuff goes fast. Most stores release previews online, and some let you reserve items for in-store pickup. Checking digital flyers a week ahead is huge.
• Sign Up for Store Emails: Tons of places give early-bird discounts or exclusive codes to subscribers. Sometimes, it’s up to 10% off on top of the sale price. Create a new email just for deals if you hate marketing spam in your main inbox.
• Price Match: Major retailers like Macy’s, Target, and Ashley will often match lower prices from approved competitors. Bring a screenshot of a better deal and just ask—there’s no harm in trying.
• Don’t Ignore Floor Models: These can be 20–50% cheaper and there’s nothing wrong with them except maybe a fingerprint or two. Check the legs, drawers, and cushions, but these are quick wins.
• Use Cashback Apps and Credit Cards: Apps like Rakuten or Honey can give cash back or coupons at big retailers. Plus, using a rewards card sometimes doubles your savings if you pay it off right away.

Here’s a quick look at average discount rates you’ll see at top sale events:

Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate, especially at local stores or during the last sale days. Managers usually have wiggle room if you’re polite and ready to buy on the spot–they’d rather sell than store leftovers. And always double-check delivery fees; what looks like a killer deal can go sour if delivery costs a chunk on top.