Guide to Budget Furniture Buying at Big Lots

Guide to Budget Furniture Buying at Big Lots

I needed a sofa that didn’t cost the same as a used car. That’s when I started testing Big Lots as a real furniture source—and I was honestly surprised by what I found (and what I wish someone had warned me about).

This is my no-fluff, first-hand guide to getting the best furniture deals at Big Lots without ending up with a saggy couch or a wobbly dresser two months later.

Why Big Lots Works for Budget Furniture (If You’re Strategic)

When I dug into Big Lots’ financials and press releases, one stat jumped out: a huge portion of their business is closeout and overstock merchandise from bigger brands. That explains why I kept spotting familiar names—Serta, Lane, Broyhill—at prices that made me suspicious at first.

In my experience, Big Lots is strongest in three furniture categories:

• Sofas and sectionals (especially Broyhill-branded lines)
• Mattresses (Serta, Sealy, and Big Lots house brands)
• Storage and accent furniture (TV stands, side tables, cube organizers)

The catch: quality is all over the place. You can find surprisingly solid pieces right next to items that feel like they’re made out of extra-thin particleboard and wishes.

So the real game is knowing what to buy, when to buy it, and what to absolutely walk away from.

My First Big Lots Sofa Test (And What I Learned)

I recently tested Big Lots by buying a mid-range Broyhill sofa during a weekend sale. Here’s how it played out:

• Sticker price: $649
• Promo: 20% off furniture event + Big Rewards coupon
• Final price (before tax): $479

When I actually sat on it in-store, I did my now-standard “furniture stress test”:

• Sat on each cushion edge to check for sinking
• Leaned back hard to test the frame
• Lifted one front corner to see if the frame flexed or creaked
• Checked the underside for frame material and support

This thing passed. Firm but not rock-hard cushions, no weird creaks, and a hardwood/plywood frame instead of just particleboard. After three months of use (including one Netflix marathon that turned into an accidental nap), the cushions held shape better than an IKEA sofa I previously owned.

What I learned: Big Lots can absolutely deliver decent quality on name-brand pieces—if you inspect them like you’re about to adopt a pet.

How Big Lots Gets Its Furniture (And Why That Matters)

When I started digging deeper, a 2019 Forbes profile on Big Lots’ business model helped connect the dots. A major part of their furniture inventory comes from:

• Overstocks from national brands
• Discontinued styles
• Exclusive lines made specifically for Big Lots (like some Broyhill collections)

That’s why you’ll see:

• Slightly older designs at lower prices
• Limited color options
• Stock that disappears and never returns

From a shopper’s perspective, this means two things:

1. You can’t always “wait and see” – if you love a specific sofa fabric or finish, it may not be there next week.
2. You should verify warranty and support – some closeout items might have different coverage than standard retail.

When I checked a Big Lots Broyhill sofa tag vs. the brand’s info online, the warranty terms lined up, which was reassuring—but I still always ask a store associate to confirm on big-ticket items.

Smart Ways to Save More (Stacking the Deals)

When I tested how low I could realistically get prices, I realized Big Lots is one of those stores where the timing matters as much as the product. Here’s what’s actually worked for me:

1. Big Rewards Is Non-Negotiable

I’m usually skeptical of store loyalty programs, but Big Lots’ Big Rewards program is actually useful for furniture:

• You earn rewards on purchases that can be used later (I got a $10 reward after my sofa + a couple of smaller buys)
• They send member-only coupons, especially around holiday weekends
• Sometimes you’ll see extra percent-off events that stack with sale prices

I literally signed up at the register before buying my sofa and used a coupon that hit my total by another $40.

2. Watch the Furniture Sale Cycle

From tracking ads and my own receipts, the best times I’ve seen for bigger discounts:

• Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday/Cyber weekend – extra % off furniture
• January – clearance on older models and seasonal inventory

I’ve also noticed random “Friends & Family”/“20% off everything” weekends that quietly show up in their email flyers.

3. Don’t Ignore Financing—but Read the Fine Print

Big Lots sometimes offers special financing or lease-to-own options through partners. When I tested this with a cart full of furniture, the associate went through the terms pretty transparently.

Pros:

• Lets you get a full room’s worth of furniture at once
• Can be useful if you’re just starting out

Cons:

• Some plans have very high effective interest if you don’t pay off in promo period
• Lease-to-own can end up costing far more than the sticker price

I skipped financing and went with a smaller, staged approach: sofa first, then bedroom furniture, then accents.

What’s Worth Buying at Big Lots (And What I’d Skip)

This is based on what I’ve bought, tested in store, and what held up for family members who also shop there.

Usually Worth It

1. Sofas, Loveseats & Sectionals (Mid-Range and Up)

When I stuck to mid-tier and Broyhill-branded pieces, build quality felt noticeably better. I look for:

• Hardwood or plywood frames (avoid “engineered wood only” as the main structure)
• Sinuous (S-shaped) spring suspension instead of just webbing
• Denser foam cushions that bounce back when you press and release

2. Mattresses

I tested a mid-range Serta model in-store and compared it to a similar one at a big mattress chain. Comfort-wise, it was comparable, and the Big Lots price was lower. But: always check mattress thickness, coil count (for innerspring), and trial/return policy.

3. Storage and Accent Furniture

TV stands, cube organizers, end tables, and small bookcases can be solid wins—especially if you accept that they’re more “looks good and works” than “heirloom quality.” My TV stand from Big Lots survived two moves and one very curious cat.

Approach With Caution

1. Ultra-Cheap Particleboard Dressers

When I tested a super low-price dresser in-store, the drawers already felt sticky and uneven. I opened the back panel slightly and the material felt thin and crumbly. That’s a pass for anything that’ll get daily use.

2. Bonded Leather Recliners

A friend grabbed one on sale, and the bonded leather started peeling in under two years. This isn’t just a Big Lots issue—bonded leather is notorious for this—but it’s worth avoiding if you want long-term use.

3. On-Trend But Flimsy Accent Chairs

I’ve seen some Instagram-cute chairs that feel like decor more than seating. If a chair wobbles on the floor in-store or creaks when you shift around, that’s your future.

How to Quality-Check Furniture on the Spot

Here’s the exact checklist I use now whenever I walk into Big Lots (or honestly, any furniture store):

For Sofas/Chairs

• Sit, twist, and bounce lightly. If you hear creaks, walk away.
• Push down on the arms. They shouldn’t feel hollow or overly squishy.
• Lift one front corner. If the other front leg stays on the ground for a while, the frame is flexing too much.
• Check cushion tags. Look for higher-density foam or coil cushions if listed.

For Wood/Storage Pieces

• Open and close every drawer fully.
• Check for metal drawer glides vs. cheap wood-on-wood slides.
• Put a hand under shelves and gently press downward to see how much they flex.
• Look at the back panel: thicker, screwed-in panels beat thin stapled cardboard.

When I tested two nearly identical TV stands side by side, the one that felt better had: thicker panels, metal hardware, and a back panel that screwed in. Same price range—very different lifespan.

The Online vs. In-Store Question

When I tried ordering a smaller accent chair and nightstand from BigLots.com instead of in-store, a few differences jumped out:

Pros of Online:

• More styles and inventory than some local stores
• Easier to compare dimensions and specs side by side
• You can stack promo codes more easily sometimes

Cons:

• You can’t do the sit-test or frame-check
• Delivery fees can eat into the “deal” if you’re not careful
• Returns can be more of a hassle with boxed furniture

My current system: I use the website as a scouting tool, then check my local stores to see if they have similar items I can physically test. If I absolutely love an online-only style, I’ll at least read every review and filter for photos from real buyers.

Honest Pros and Cons of Big Lots Furniture

After a few years of trial-and-error and way too many hours comparing price tags and build quality, here’s my straight take.

What Big Lots Does Well:

• Genuinely low prices on brand-name and house-brand furniture
• Great for furnishing an apartment, dorm, or first home on a tight budget
• Frequent sales and stackable discounts with Big Rewards
• Decent selection of styles that don’t all scream “budget”

Where It Falls Short:

• Quality varies a lot, so you can’t safely shop on price and looks alone
• Limited stock—if you fall in love with something, it may not be restocked
• Some ultra-cheap items feel disposable from day one
• Delivery and assembly services aren’t as robust as full-service furniture stores

If you go in expecting Crate & Barrel quality at Big Lots prices, you’ll be disappointed. But if you treat it like a carefully curated treasure hunt and inspect before you buy, you can genuinely stretch your furniture budget without your home looking like a temporary setup.

Final Thoughts: Who Big Lots Furniture Is (Actually) Good For

In my experience, Big Lots is a solid fit if you:

• Need to furnish a place quickly and cheaply, but still want it to look put-together
• Are okay with mid-range quality that’ll last several years, not several decades
• Don’t mind doing a little extra work—checking frames, comparing tags, stacking coupons

It’s less ideal if you:

• Want heirloom-level pieces
• Hate the idea of assembling or moving lighter-weight furniture
• Need a highly specific style or color that you want to reorder later

The best wins I’ve had at Big Lots came when I walked in with a game plan, a measuring tape, my phone ready to look up comparable models, and a willingness to literally sit on half the furniture in the store.

If you can do that without feeling self-conscious, you’re exactly the kind of person who can turn Big Lots into your secret weapon for budget furniture.

Sources

• Big Lots – Official Furniture Page - Brand’s current furniture lineup, pricing, and promotions
• Forbes – How Big Lots Stays Relevant In A Digital World - Overview of Big Lots’ merchandising and closeout model
• Consumer Reports – Furniture Buying Guide - Expert guidance on evaluating furniture quality and construction
• Federal Trade Commission – Shopping for Furniture: Tips - Government advice on warranties, returns, and financing
• University of Kentucky – Furniture Construction & Materials - Educational breakdown of common furniture materials and what they mean for durability