My boyfriend and I want to get furniture for our bedroom but we don't have a lot of money to spend. We want something that will be durable enough to last until we are married, moved into a house, etc....so maybe 5 years or so. Should we buy something cheap now or wait and spend more later?

We looked at Rooms To Go...Target...and Basset and I've heard good and bad things about each...RTG and Target have the price range we can afford... $1,000-1,500.

What are some options? We want a matching set of black or dark dark brown wooden...
Sleigh bed or 4 poster bed, dresser and mirror...2 nightstands and possibly a chest of drawers.

Any helpful advice is appreciated.

3/2/2009 9:23:09 AM

not target or rooms to go. esp not target.

ikea stuff is decent and lasts (depending on what you pick)

3/2/2009 9:42:00 AM

Didn't one of those just open in Charlotte? I don't know about their prices..anyone have a clue?

3/2/2009 9:46:00 AM

yes, check their website, and there's one in VA too. if you're in raleigh the charlotte one is closer, but i know the VA one is closer for me in rocky mount

3/2/2009 9:46:51 AM

do you live together? i assume you do because sending up to 5k on a group purchase when you are only dating is a big risk

RTG and equivalents (i'm not sure i put target furniture in the equivalent list tho) are good enough quality for furniture that you are only going to keep for 5 years - since it's a bedroom set you could buy something with the intention of putting it into your guest room once you are ready to get something a bit more nice/substantial

3/2/2009 9:48:17 AM

^I do like the idea of putting it in a guest room. Thanks for the advice.

Quote :

"do you live together? i assume you do because sending up to 5k on a group purchase when you are only dating is a big risk"

haha, it's a big risk kind of like when a guy buys an engagement ring with no promise of a future...that's a big risk too. I think bedroom furniture is easier to resell but hey, who knows.

[Edited on March 2, 2009 at 9:58 AM. Reason : oopsie.]

3/2/2009 9:55:42 AM

Rooms To Go, Roomstore, Ashley, and such places are all about the same quality. Not gonna last for 20 years, but 5-10 years shouldn't be a problem. If you're talking about a bedroom set, though, how long they last is all dependent on how lively your nighttime activities on said bed are.

There's a furniture store across from carmax on the corner of glenwood and ebenezer church road. They have a lot of ugly shit, but also some decent looking pieces. We found a queen bedroom set for our guest room (head/foot board, rails, mattresses, nightstands) for just under $1k delivered.

3/2/2009 10:33:37 AM

hahahaha target furniture.

that would last you MAYBE a year

3/2/2009 10:35:30 AM

Quote :

"ikea stuff is decent and lasts (depending on what you pick)"

ikea stuff is decent and lasts (depending on what you pick) shit.

3/2/2009 10:43:23 AM

Actually, I've got a few pieces of Target furniture, and it's great for the price. If you're planning on buying again in a few years, there's no reason to get something really nice. The downside to Target or Ikea is that you have to put it all together yourself. Personally, we're waiting until we're in a permanent house before we try and have matching pieces of bedroom furniture. All I have right now is a bed frame and odds and ends for dressers, because I don't see the point of spending money now if you're going to buy it later.

[Edited on March 2, 2009 at 11:07 AM. Reason : ]

3/2/2009 11:06:19 AM

Quote :

"haha, it's a big risk kind of like when a guy buys an engagement ring with no promise of a future...that's a big risk too. I think bedroom furniture is easier to resell but hey, who knows."

if a guy is dumb enough to buy a ring and not know it's a lock then yeah it's a big risk - i'd be willing to bet most engagement rings that are bought come with a very low level of risk

3/2/2009 11:16:04 AM

The reason we are thinking of buying now is because the furniture we are using is not enough to suit our needs...we don't have a "bed" just a frame...and two nightstands that are crap...and two chest of drawers...stuffed to the brim. We have too many clothes I think

No mirror, no dresser, no room.

I didn't think about Ashley..that's somewhere we can check out.

Target is not great, I know. We have two things from Target in the living room which are doing fine but I am not sure if the bedroom stuff would last as well. Good input.

We might can reuse the stuff we buy in a guest bedroom, as Omar suggested.

3/2/2009 11:20:02 AM

Quote :

"There's a furniture store across from carmax on the corner of glenwood and ebenezer church road. They have a lot of ugly shit, but also some decent looking pieces. We found a queen bedroom set for our guest room (head/foot board, rails, mattresses, nightstands) for just under $1k delivered. "

Heavner. We bought a custom Rowe piece from them about 8 weeks ago, full couch with chaise and mid grade covering for like $1,300.

3/2/2009 11:23:11 AM

Another thing to think about is the High Point Furniture Market in a few weeks. And I've heard rumors that Thomasville Furniture is going out of business.

3/2/2009 11:23:16 AM

I actually grew up near Thomasville...worked at a place there while in high school.

I have heard that rumor too. I wonder if it would still be affordable for us.

There's a place called "Transit Damage" near my mom's that sells things that are mildly scuffed, chipped, or otherwise blemished. Is there a place like that in Raleigh? Or is that what the place near Carmax is?

3/2/2009 11:27:10 AM

If you all aren't looking for your almost-forever furniture, why not go the thrift store/flea market/craigslist route?

Yes, it takes more time, but you also have the chance to get very, very well-made furniture for cheap.

3/2/2009 11:29:10 AM

there are a bunch of furniture places off Capital Blvd down near Millbrook etc

3/2/2009 11:29:52 AM

^^^

it's not damaged at all, but i think they are sets/pieces that are limited in inventory, and then (i'm guessing here) liquidated from some larger distributor.

3/2/2009 11:36:43 AM

Quote :

"There's a place called "Transit Damage" near my mom's that sells things that are mildly scuffed, chipped, or otherwise blemished. Is there a place like that in Raleigh? Or is that what the place near Carmax is?"

there are a bunch of places sorta like that up on Glenwood

I got my leather couch at the Home Comfort Outlet (which was an Ashley couch, really, just from last season: they even gave me a brand new one from their warehouse) at a huge markdown... it's at 5814 Glenwood Ave (don't confuse it with the actual Home Comfort store which is also on Glenwood), the one I mean is a couple doors down from Rooms to Go

the place looks a little sketchy from the outside, but the guys there were really nice and helpful, plus I got my couch the very same day (basically two hours after I walked in the door)

some of the stuff in there is there because it's damaged... so be sure look things over, of course

[Edited on March 2, 2009 at 12:04 PM. Reason : but otherwise, a great place to get some stuff cheaply]

3/2/2009 12:02:03 PM

...its taken this long for someone to mention Craigslist?? Oops, I see ambrosia mentioned. My bad.

I got a Broyhill double reclining loveseat in BRAND NEW condition (no pets, no smoking, no kids, NOTHING) for $75. I got a NEVER USED (the guy put it in his living room, put a puzzle together on it, and stored it in his garage) dining set from Ashley (four chairs, with a hidden stored leaf) for $125. The damn chairs still had plastic on it, AND the flippin' tags on them. And it's real wood.

Yes, there is plenty of crappy furniture available on Craigslist. However, if you watch it for a while, you can see some really nice stuff pop up for cheap. I plan on keeping the loveseat and the set of table and chairs. I think its really nice, and will definitely last more than five years. ESPECIALLY the loveseat.

And I hate Ikea. Bleah. Its not good for frequent use, but yes, I would say it could be used to furnish a guest bedroom.

An additional note in regards to clearance stuff, I will also add that there is a thrift shop on South Saunders, called Cause for Paws. It was on my way home for work, and I stopped a few times and saw some really nice furniture. But again, its based on donations, and you just gotta keep your eye out. At least everything you buy goes toward a good cause. And, when I went there two summers ago, you could haggle - I don't know if the same is true now.

[Edited on March 2, 2009 at 12:18 PM. Reason : .]

3/2/2009 12:17:37 PM

Have you checked Craigslist? You can find some good quality stuff on there for a very fair price if you hit it just right. A lot of people sell furniture for cheap because they have to move without it. Granted, some of it is older styles, but it's the only way you'll be able to afford a decent 4-poster or sleigh.

[Edited on March 2, 2009 at 12:23 PM. Reason : kicks self for not reading whole thread]

3/2/2009 12:23:12 PM

Quote :

"if a guy is dumb enough to buy a ring and not know it's a lock then yeah it's a big risk - i'd be willing to bet most engagement rings that are bought come with a very low level of risk"

I had no doubt when I bought mine

also, the fact that pawprint thinks that engagement would come at a time of "no promise for the future" reveals a lot about her judgement when it comes to the stability of a relationship and indicates that, because 1) she is not engaged, and therefore, 2) her relationship has not progressed to the point of "no promise for the future" that 3) she should definitely NOT be buying $5k worth of merchandise with her bf.

3/2/2009 12:28:23 PM

Quote :

"Granted, some of it is older styles, but it's the only way you'll be able to afford a decent 4-poster or sleigh."

older stuff is the way to go.

Anything reasonably priced that's newer is all kinds of ornate - the kind white trash and some other demographic groups opt for to show off their 'class'.

It's damn near impossible to get anything simple without going to target, ikea, or some really pricy modern place.

3/2/2009 12:31:23 PM

You'll be better off if you do a little searching and buy some good used stuff off Craigslist. Solid wood furniture won't really depreciate as long as you get a decent price now. Rooms To Go Furniture on the other hand is worth half what you paid as soon as you get it home.

3/2/2009 12:50:43 PM

Quote :

"Home Comfort Outlet"

for what you want in your price range you're really gonna want to hit this place up, or craigslist

The Home comfort clearance center has a constantly changing stock of quality items for teh cheap, its definitely worth a look or 5

3/2/2009 3:18:03 PM

i second heavner on glenwood, across from carmax.

i bought....a bed, bedside table, dresser, dresser + mirror, a queen mattress, and a kitchen table set for 1400$. good quality furniture (the dressers are dove tailed) and the mattress is a serta. they were easy to deal with and quick to deliver.

3/2/2009 10:53:27 PM

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=bens+bargain+barn+raleigh&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&cid=17000251643714100580&li=lmd&z=14&t=m

3/2/2009 11:00:56 PM

http://www.worldmarket.com/Sale/Furniture/lev/12/Ne/1100001/N/28+1100002/categoryId/28/pCategoryId/28/gpCategoryId/28/Ns/TOP_SELLER_INDEX|1||CATEGORY_SEQ_2868|0/index.cat

World Market has a lot of furniture on sale right now.

3/3/2009 10:39:45 AM

Quote :

" also, the fact that pawprint thinks that engagement would come at a time of "no promise for the future" reveals a lot about her judgement when it comes to the stability of a relationship and indicates that, because 1) she is not engaged, and therefore, 2) her relationship has not progressed to the point of "no promise for the future" that 3) she should definitely NOT be buying $5k worth of merchandise with her bf."

Ahah...You really took this shit seriously, didn't you? I made a joke, moron. So now that I didn't answer Omar's nosy question about my relationship status and risk management, I'm suddenly some dingbat spinster who wants furniture to ensure my relationship will progress to marriage. I have taken my big girl panties out and put those bitches on and I am fine and well making decisions about my money, my future, and my "relationship status".

So back to the topic, I appreciate the suggestions I have gotten so far regarding furniture. We looked at some RTG stuff and called my mom about Thomasville Furniture. We are planning to go this weekend to look around Glenwood and now I know where to go, so thanks!

3/3/2009 7:48:18 PM

Quote :

"So now that I didn't answer Omar's nosy question about my relationship status and risk management, I'm suddenly some dingbat spinster who wants furniture to ensure my relationship will progress to marriage."

wow... no, that's not what I said at all, but gg on demonstrating your immature view of what it takes to make a relationship progress

[Edited on March 3, 2009 at 9:55 PM. Reason : s]

3/3/2009 9:55:29 PM

Quote :

"And I've heard rumors that Thomasville Furniture is going out of business."

It's been out of business for years. They closed all of their US production in like 2005-06. The brand and stores still exist, but it's all imported garbage now.

Ambrosia is right on with her suggestion. A good weekend of Craigslist/Ebay/Estate Sales/Yard Sale hunting will get you a lot better furniture for your money. With the current economy, there are a LOT of people unloading furniture. You're very likely to be able to find some really nice, solid wood, pre-'80s stuff without a whole lot of effort.

If you are really set on buying a bedroom "set", then just spend a weekend hunting all the furniture outlets near you. Take a digital camera and a pad and paper, write the prices down and take pictures. Go home after day 1, figure out what you like the best, and spend day 2 bidding the stores against each other. You can get a good 15-20% off "final prices" at most outlets like that.

3/4/2009 2:00:38 AM

seconding craigslist, and the homecomfort outlet

adding the back sale room of Kirk's imports

3/4/2009 9:33:07 AM

I need a couple of chairs for the balcony in my apartment...getting ready for spring. I've been browsing Craigslist but haven't seen anything I like so far.

3/4/2009 9:56:03 AM

I got a couple good quality white rocking chairs that I don't have any use for anymore and I'd be willing to sell them if you are interested. They were great when I had an apartment with a balcony, but don't have anywhere to put them now that I am in a house. They look more or less like these.

http://www.kofc10160.com/ssmfestival/auction/images/fullsize/Home%20and%20Garden/Two%20White%20Rocking%20Chairs.JPG

3/4/2009 11:02:27 AM

i got my dresser with mirror that i haven't put on... or does go on --->, chest of drawers, sleigh bed (sorta?) for 900 or so, all solid wood / antique / sturdy. I had help finding it on craigslist (used furniture store ad) and a reduced section of a furniture store along highway 70.

you can find what you want of quality but it might take some time... also depends on what style you like

3/4/2009 3:40:23 PM

I bought a reclining leather sofa and loveseat from Home Comfort Outlet. It's alright. I think I paid too much for it.

I plan on buying my bedroom furniture from Sam's. IMO the quality seems decent and the prices are pretty good too. If I had to do it over again, I'd get my sofa from there too. Seems like much better quality than the "Ashley" sofa/loveseat I got from Home Comfort Outlet.

3/4/2009 5:00:59 PM

50% off of Broyhill furniture this week at Big Lots. They've got some nice stuff in stock.

3/5/2009 5:38:21 PM

Quote :

" Basset"

did you say basset and not a lot of money to spend? good luck

3/5/2009 5:49:44 PM

Quote :

"50% off of Broyhill furniture this week at Big Lots. They've got some nice stuff in stock."

Thanks for the heads up!

3/5/2009 6:32:41 PM

http://www.worldmarket.com/Stackable-Wicker-Tub-Chairs/lev/4/productId/10256/Ntt/wicker%20stackable/Ntx/mode+matchallpartial/Ntk/Def/N/0/Nty/1/Ssr/Y/index.pro

any thoughts? or alternative recommendations for a couple of chairs for the balcony?

4/24/2009 11:27:23 AM

have you tried Craigslist?

4/24/2009 12:45:08 PM

Yeah - haven't seen anything I like here in Greensboro

4/24/2009 1:13:45 PM