Buying High Quality Furniture at a Fraction of the Price: Getting a Deal on As-Is Furniture

I've always been cheap but I tend to gravitate towards really high-priced, high-quality items. Without fail, my favorite pair of shoes at the store will be the most expensive ones and the furniture I like at the store will be the highest priced. And they are always the items not included in any type of sale or promotion. Always. It's like a gift. However, I have found ways to purchase high-quality items at a fraction of the price because a) I'm frugal and b) I love a good deal. Sometimes you have to work for that good deal though. Especially when it comes to buying high-quality furniture pieces. As I age, I've learned that I just don't have time for buying things I don't like anymore, and sometimes it's hard to find exactly what you are looking for at the price that will fit into your budget. Which is why I'm sharing with you how you can buy high-quality furniture at a fraction of the price. It might take a little work, but in the end, it will totally be worth it to get a quality piece you love.

How to Buy As-Is Furniture

photo from restorationhardware.com I've spent a lot of years buying cheap furniture from discount stores and it never holds up as well as the quality furniture does. Particle board isn't made to last the same way that real wood is. I have spent the better part of a year searching every furniture store within a 50 mile radius for pieces that fit into my budget but that are made to last. 
It took some time but we finally found a media console my husband and I could both agree on in our price range that we knew was built to last. Only problem, it had some blemishes, which is why it was marked down 80% and was finally in our price range. Not only that, the color wasn't going to work in our home. 
I've never been one to pay a pretty penny for an item that wasn't in great shape, but I knew this furniture piece was high-quality and it would be worth the time I put into making it what we wanted.

So why buy as-is furniture?

You would buy as-is furniture because you are looking for a good deal on a high-quality piece that might otherwise be out of your price range. You know the item is built to last decades rather than a few years so it's worth the investment in a quality piece, and it's something you plan on having for a long time.

Things to know when shopping for discounts on high-quality furniture

There are a few things you should know when you are shopping for discounts on high-quality furniture. Look to see if your favorite stores have an outlet or an as-is section of the store. The items in these areas turn over quickly and will often have the best prices.
There will be things you can "fix" or live with {scratches, dents, missing or broken hardware} and some things you can't {size and fabric for instance}. Don't buy a furniture item with something you can't fix.
Don't be afraid to ask for a discount if you see an imperfection or just because! Furniture stores are known for mark-ups, and the sales associates often have the ability to offer a discount.

How to fix common as-is furniture problems

After you have found the piece of furniture you are interested in, here is how to fix some common as-is furniture problems. 
If there is missing hardware ask the store if they have replacement parts available. Some furniture brands will replace missing pieces like table legs or door handles for a small fee. You want to know how difficult it will be to acquire those missing pieces if they don't because the furniture item just may not be worth it.

If there is a crack in the wood, it's an easy fix with wood glue. Simply put the wood glue in the crack following the manufacturer's directions and then hold the area together with clamps to allow the item time to hold. 

If there is a nick or a chip out of the wood, you can fill the dent with wood filler. Find a good wood filler that is stainable, sandable and paintable. You'll also need a putty knife to get the filler into the chips and gouges. Follow the manufacturer's directions but if the gouge is deep, you may need several layers.

Painting as-is furniture

Paint is the best way to transform a high-quality furniture piece that has the bones of what you are looking for but the color doesn't match.

restoration hardware I actually loved the color {distressed grey} of this Restoration Hardware console, but we have cream all throughout the house and the grey clashes with the carpet and the walls. However, if the furniture item is the color or stain you like, ask the furniture store if they have paint available to purchase. Some stores have paint gallons, or stain available, others may just have touch-up kits available for minor repairs.

from restoration hardware
The media console was what we had been looking for, it was the perfect size for our space and it was at a deep discount of 80% off. It had some dings and nicks, a crack in the wood and it was the wrong color, but at the price, it was a screaming deal for a high-quality piece, so it was worth the effort to take on those minor fixes.

Having the HomeRight Finish Max Super made everything easier. This is actually a game changer for DIY projects. The Finish Max is easy to use {no thinning paint anymore!}, easy to spray and easy to clean. In an evening, the whole console was painted with several coats no less!
When painting as-is furniture, you want to make sure you sand your furniture down. You want to give something for your paint to adhere to and usually a light sanding will make it easier. Especially since new furniture often has a sealer to protect their own paint job on it. 
You'll want to remove any hardware to make it easier to paint your piece.

I like to do light thin coats to avoid and drips and puddles. Make sure you test your spray first on a piece of cardboard or inconspicuous spot so you know you have the right setting and the proper tip for the job {there are 6 tips, 3 are included}. Light coats make for less drying time so you can get good coverage. 
After you have the desired amount of coverage, let your paint dry overnight and add a sealer to protect your paint. This step isn't necessary, but if you are going to have this as a heavy use piece, you will want it to protect it. I used this and it went on like butter to the smooth painted finish.
At a fraction of the price, with some elbow grease, we now have a piece of furniture that is high-quality and will last for years to come.  The project would not have been possible without my HomeRight paint sprayer.

Would you be willing to take on an as-is piece of furniture if you could get high-quality at a good price? 

Get more tips and find more great projects on the HomeRight blog!

 
disclaimer: this is a sponsored post for HomeRight. My opinions are my own and I would never share something I didn't love. Promise.