If you’ve ever waited too long to buy a new sofa or dining set, you know the pain of paying full price. The truth is, furniture doesn’t stay on sale all year. There’s one month when nearly every major brand and retailer drops prices the hardest - and it’s not Black Friday.
January is the real winner for furniture sales
January, especially the first two weeks, is when furniture sales peak in New Zealand and across most Western markets. After the holiday spending rush, stores need to clear out old inventory to make room for spring collections. That’s when you’ll see 30% to 50% off entire room sets - sofas, sectionals, beds, dressers - everything.
Why January? Retailers get hit hard in December. They overordered for Christmas, and now they’re stuck with unsold stock. By January, they’re desperate. Clearance isn’t just a bonus - it’s survival. Big chains like Freedom, The Warehouse, and even independent showrooms slash prices to hit quarterly targets. Some even offer extra discounts if you pay in cash or pick up the item yourself.
Don’t confuse this with Black Friday. While Black Friday gets all the hype, furniture sales in November are usually just marketing fluff. Discounts are smaller, and stock is limited. January? That’s when the real deals land.
Why February still works if you miss January
If you didn’t get around to shopping in January, don’t panic. February is still strong. Many stores carry over January’s clearance into early February, especially if weather delays delivery or if they’re waiting for new shipments to arrive. You’ll still find 25% to 40% off, and some stores will even throw in free delivery or assembly.
Here’s a real example from last year: a customer in Christchurch bought a three-seater sofa from Freedom on February 3rd for $899. The same model was priced at $1,799 in October. That’s a 50% drop - and it was still in stock. That kind of discount doesn’t happen in July or September. It happens when stores are trying to reset their floor plans before spring.
What about holidays like Easter or Queen’s Birthday?
Yes, those holidays bring sales - but they’re not the same. Easter and Queen’s Birthday sales are more about moving smaller items: accent chairs, side tables, lamps, and decor. You might get a good deal on a coffee table or a bookshelf, but you won’t see massive discounts on large furniture like beds or sectionals.
Large furniture takes longer to move. Stores don’t want to be stuck with bulky items sitting in warehouses over summer. So they clear those before winter ends - not before Easter.
What about summer? Isn’t that when everyone shops?
Summer (December to February) is actually the worst time to buy furniture if you’re looking for savings. That’s when demand is highest. People are moving after the holidays, renovating, or just feeling inspired by longer days. Retailers know this. Prices go up - not down.
Think about it: if you’re buying a new lounge set in January, you’re avoiding the rush. You’re not competing with 100 other people trying to get the same item. You’re buying from a stockpile that’s already been marked down twice. That’s the edge.
What furniture sells the most in January?
It’s not just sofas. The biggest discounts hit:
- Sectional sofas - these are expensive and hard to move, so stores clear them fast.
- Dining sets - after holiday meals, people realize they need bigger tables or more chairs.
- Bed frames and mattresses - new year, new sleep goals. Sales on these are huge.
- Storage furniture - wardrobes, dressers, and media units get marked down to make room for new designs.
Smaller items like coffee tables or bookcases are often bundled into these deals. Buy a sofa, get a coffee table for $99. Buy a bed, get two nightstands free. These aren’t gimmicks - they’re real savings.
How to spot the real January deals
Not every ‘sale’ is worth it. Here’s how to tell if a deal is legit:
- Check the original price from last December. If it hasn’t changed, it’s not a real discount.
- Look for ‘End of Season Clearance’ or ‘New Collection Arrival’ signs. Those are your triggers.
- Call the store and ask: ‘Is this item going to be discontinued?’ If yes, they’ll give you a better deal.
- Visit on a weekday morning. Sales staff are less busy and more willing to negotiate.
- Ask if they’ll match a competitor’s price. Most will, especially in January.
Pro tip: Don’t buy online unless you can see the item in person. A sofa that looks great in a photo might be too deep, too firm, or the wrong shade. Showrooms are your best friend in January.
What about online retailers?
Online stores like Kogan, IKEA, and Amazon run their own January sales, but they’re not always better. Shipping costs can eat up your savings. Plus, returns are a nightmare with bulky furniture.
Local showrooms have an advantage: free delivery, assembly, and the ability to exchange if it’s not right. That’s worth more than a 5% extra discount online.
What if I can’t afford to wait until January?
If you need furniture now, don’t panic. Look for ‘floor models’ or ‘display items’. These are pieces that have been in the showroom for months. They’re used, but not damaged. Stores often sell them at 40% off because they’re tired of moving them around.
Also, check out local Facebook Marketplace or TradeMe. People move in January and sell their old furniture. You can find near-new sofas for half the price.
Why not July or August?
Some people think mid-year sales are good. They’re not. Furniture companies don’t have big inventory resets in July. That’s when they’re focused on planning for next year’s designs. Any sale you see in winter is usually just a small promotion - maybe 10% off a single item. Not worth the effort.
There’s one exception: if a store is closing down. That’s when you’ll see 70% off. But those are rare and unpredictable. Don’t plan your budget around them.
Bottom line: Plan ahead, buy in January
Waiting until January isn’t about patience - it’s about strategy. The best furniture deals aren’t hidden in ads or email newsletters. They’re in the back rooms of showrooms, waiting to be cleared out. If you know when to look, you’ll save hundreds - sometimes over a thousand dollars - on a single purchase.
Mark your calendar: January 5th to January 20th is your window. Get there early. Bring a tape measure. Test the comfort. And don’t be afraid to walk away if the deal isn’t right. The best sales don’t disappear - they just wait for you to show up.
Is January really the best month to buy furniture?
Yes. January is when retailers clear out old inventory to make room for spring collections. You’ll find the deepest discounts - often 30% to 50% off - on sofas, beds, dining sets, and storage furniture. This is when stores are most motivated to sell, not just to make a profit but to hit sales targets.
Are Black Friday or Cyber Monday good for furniture deals?
Not really. While you’ll see ads pushing furniture on Black Friday, the discounts are usually small - around 10% to 20% - and stock is limited. The real savings happen in January, when stores need to clear space for new lines. Black Friday is more about small items like lamps or decor.
What type of furniture gets the biggest discounts in January?
Large, bulky items that are hard to move and store get the biggest cuts. That includes sectional sofas, bed frames, dining sets, wardrobes, and media units. These are the items retailers want off the floor the fastest. Smaller items like coffee tables are often bundled in as free add-ons.
Should I buy furniture online or in-store in January?
In-store is better. You can test comfort, check quality, and avoid shipping fees. Many local showrooms offer free delivery and assembly during January sales. Online deals might look cheaper, but hidden costs and return hassles can cancel out the savings.
What if I miss January? Is there a second chance?
Yes. February is still a good month, especially the first two weeks. Many stores extend January’s clearance into early February. You can still find 25% to 40% off. After that, prices start to creep back up as new stock arrives.
