Best Holiday to Buy Furniture in 2026: When to Score Big Savings

Want to buy new furniture but don’t want to pay full price? You’re not alone. Most people overpay because they shop at the wrong time. The truth is, furniture doesn’t get cheaper randomly - it follows a pattern. And if you know when to look, you can save 30% to 60% on sofas, beds, dining sets, and more. In Australia, the best holidays to buy furniture aren’t the ones you’d guess. It’s not Christmas. It’s not Easter. It’s the quiet sales after the holidays, the end-of-financial-year clears, and a few hidden windows most shoppers miss.

End of Financial Year (June-July)

The single biggest furniture sale in Australia happens between late May and mid-July. Why? Because every major retailer - from IKEA to Freedom, Bunnings to Adairs - needs to hit their financial targets by June 30. They’re not just clearing old stock; they’re making room for new collections arriving in July. That’s when last year’s models get slashed. A $1,200 sofa that cost $1,499 in January can drop to $799 by early July. Mattresses follow the same pattern. You’ll see 50% off entire bedroom sets. Retailers know people aren’t shopping much in winter, so they push hard to move inventory. If you’re patient, this is your best window. Don’t wait until the last week of June. Start looking in mid-May. Deals start rolling out early, and the best ones go fast.

Post-Christmas (December 26-January 15)

Right after Christmas, furniture stores do something surprising: they slash prices again. People think Christmas is the big sale, but it’s not. Most furniture brands hold off on deep discounts until after the holiday rush. By December 26, they’re stuck with unsold stock, and they need cash flow before the new financial year starts. That’s when you’ll find clearance bins full of floor models, display pieces, and discontinued lines. A $999 dining table might drop to $499. A $700 armchair could be $299. Some stores even bundle items - buy a sofa, get the coffee table free. This is the second-best time to buy, especially if you’re flexible on color or style. Just be ready to move fast. These deals don’t last long, and they’re often in-store only.

Labour Day (March-April)

Labour Day weekend in March (Victoria) and early April (other states) is a quiet but powerful sales window. It’s not as loud as June or December, but it’s when retailers reset their inventory for the coming spring season. New arrivals are coming in, and old stock needs to clear. You’ll find solid discounts on outdoor furniture, garden sets, and patio loungers - but also on indoor pieces like bookshelves, side tables, and storage units. Stores like Rebel, Myer, and Catch often run “Spring Refresh” promotions. Don’t overlook this. It’s the perfect time to buy if you’re renovating or just want to refresh your space without the holiday chaos. Plus, delivery times are faster because demand drops after the Christmas rush.

Why Not Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

You’ve heard the hype. Black Friday in November is supposed to be the biggest sale of the year. But in Australia, it’s mostly a marketing trick. Most furniture brands don’t offer real discounts. They raise prices a week before and then drop them back to “original” - which was never the real price. A $1,000 bed might be marked as “$1,499” before Black Friday, then “sale” at $999. That’s not a discount - that’s a trick. The same goes for Cyber Monday. Real deals are rare. You’ll find better savings in June or after Christmas. If you’re tempted by a Black Friday ad, check the price history on PriceSpy or Google Shopping. You’ll often see the “sale” price is the same as it was three months ago.

What to Look For When Shopping

Knowing when to buy isn’t enough. You need to know what to look for. Here’s what actually saves you money:

• Floor models - These have been displayed in-store. They’re not broken, just touched. You can save 30-50% if you’re okay with minor scuffs.
• Discontinued lines - If a sofa style is no longer in the catalog, it’s being cleared. Ask staff what’s being phased out.
• Bundle deals - Buy a bed frame and get the mattress free. Buy a dining set and get four chairs. Retailers want to move full sets, so they bundle.
• Open-box returns - Some stores have a clearance section for items returned in perfect condition. These are like new, but cheaper.

Always ask: “Is this part of a clearance?” and “Do you have any floor models?” Don’t be shy. Staff know what’s on sale - they just won’t always tell you unless you ask.

What Not to Buy on Sale

Not everything should be bought on discount. Avoid buying:

• High-end upholstered pieces - Cheap fabric or poor stitching won’t last. If the frame feels flimsy, walk away.
• Custom or made-to-order items - These rarely go on sale. If it’s custom, you’re paying for the build, not the stock.
• Electronics with furniture - Smart TVs, sound systems, or built-in lighting in furniture often have shorter warranties. Stick to standard pieces.

Save your discount hunting for solid wood, metal, or high-density foam items. These hold up over time. A cheap sofa might look good now, but it’ll sag in two years. That’s not a deal - that’s a waste.

Real Example: How I Saved $850 on a Sofa

Last July, I needed a new living room sofa. I’d been watching a particular model at Freedom - $1,599. I waited. By mid-June, it was still $1,599. Then, on June 18, I got an email: “End of Financial Year Clearance - Up to 50% Off.” The same sofa? $749. Plus, they threw in free delivery. I didn’t even haggle. It was already the best price I’d ever seen. The sofa still looks new two years later. The key? Timing. I didn’t buy because it was on sale. I bought because I knew when the sale would happen.

Final Tip: Set Alerts

Don’t rely on memory. Set up price alerts on Google Shopping or use apps like Honey or PriceTracker. Put in the exact model number of the furniture you want. You’ll get notified when the price drops. Most sales last 7-14 days. If you wait too long, the deal’s gone. But if you’re ready, you can lock in savings before anyone else.

The best holiday to buy furniture isn’t about tradition. It’s about timing, inventory cycles, and retail math. June and December are your power months. March and July are your quiet wins. Skip the November hype. Watch the patterns. Be ready. And you’ll walk away with furniture that lasts - without breaking the bank.