Let’s face it – furniture is not cheap. Each time I have to go furniture shopping I cringe at the sales process: comparison shopping, trying to compare apples to cumquats, cost versus quality and of course finding exactly what I want.

Having moved at least one too many times in my life I have come up with a few tips for finding the quality and style I want at a reasonable price. Just like every other major purchase, if you look hard enough you can find a discount. Furniture is no exception.

I hope the following are as useful to you as they’ve been to me over the years.

• Move to North Carolina; Furniture manufacturers are EVERYWHERE and you can buy right from the factory. If you aren’t moving there, maybe on your move you’ll be traveling through North Carolina. Furniture can be bought and shipped at a great discount compared to buying locally. If all else fails, look for a local retailer who sells North Carolina furniture – its American made, well constructed and among the highest quality discount furniture you’ll find.

• Shop at big box and discount stores. I won’t name names, but you’d be surprised at how much some of the larger stores can discount furniture from places like Indonesia. The only catch is you will probably have to put it together yourself. In fact, you can often find such great discounts (and I’m not just talking about the big three – look to the more niche oriented stores as well) on everything from lawn to bedroom furniture you’ll have enough left for a case of wine or two.

• Consider consignment stores. There are plenty of good reasons for people to put their slightly used furniture on consignment. Perhaps they’re moving and won’t have enough space, or the spare bedroom furniture has to go to make room for a new baby. You never know what might lead people to put furniture up for sale. These consignment stores often have nearly new and very stylish furniture at a great discount to the original retail value.

• Buy furniture by mail order or online. I get catalogs every day from new manufacturers and retailers with good product at a great discount. Furniture too! Don’t just toss those catalogs; keep the best of them around. Be sure to do your research online to make sure that the brands and manufacturers they represent have a track record of quality. The same goes for online furniture buying. Remember, anyone can put up a web site and promise great discounts. Furniture, however requires a little more research. The beauty of online buying is: if you found the store online, you can usually research their quality and ethics online too.

• Don’t forget about your local retail furniture stores. Some of the greatest furniture discounts are just down the road. In every retail industry there’s seasonality, production and delivery cycles and other factors which can have a big impact on your local dealer’s willingness to offer you a discount. Furniture is no different. Just like cars and jeans, there’s always next year’s model coming down the pipeline.

As you can see above, it’s not so daunting to find furniture at a discount. In fact, this advice can apply to a lot more than furniture (all except the North Carolina information).

Most Americans will move many times in their adult lives. And, as we attain greater wealth and success there’s always a need to improve our surroundings. Just because you can afford more doesn’t mean you won’t look for a bargain. And if by following a few simple suggestions you can find great discount furniture it’s probably worth your time and effort too!