How to buy furniture in the sales — and avoid costly mistakes

Winter sales, which often start on December 26 and stretch beyond January, offer a chance to pick up that essential piece for your home

Sat, 20 Dec, 2025 - 20:21

Carol O’Callaghan

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, it’s far from being the end of sales season.

New Year sales, some of which start on December 26, and winter sales, which can stretch beyond January, mean more opportunities to pick up the longed-for new bed or sofa.

Winter is usually the season when we see shortcomings in our homes, spending more time huddled together hibernating and more likely to notice the sofa has seen better days, and the dining table won’t quite accommodate the numbers invited for Christmas dinner without someone being on the corner, sitting on a stool.

But before rushing out to make a quick purchase to solve an immediate problem, there’s value in researching what you need and comparing products, according to interior architect Ger Cooney of Ger Cooney Design. “Be prepared to have a good alternative if your dream purchase is sold out,” he says. “Ask yourself if what you’re buying is necessary. Is it a need or a want?”

We all know the feeling of being like little kiddies in a sweet shop when faced with multiple choices, but this is where we are likely to make mistakes, buying on impulse being one of them. “Ask yourself, if the item wasn’t on sale, would you still have been prepared to buy it?” says Ger. “New Year sales provide a good opportunity to grab a real find, so be sure to shop around and know what you’re looking for in advance. But if you find something unexpected that you will love, don’t hesitate, as it could be gone another day.”

The sales aren't just about big furnitue buys. They're also a chance to pick up bargains in drapery and accessories. Picture: Designers Guild

Avoiding the throngs by shopping online is another option and a welcome one in winter, especially after Christmas shopping expeditions have left us never wanting to see the inside of a shop again, even though that feeling is likely to be temporary.

Some websites are easier to navigate than others, with some having tools to help choose the right size product and even visualise it in your own space.

Splurge on a new sofa in the sales, like the Arc, and accessorise with a coffee table and rug. Picture: EZ Living Interiors

Steven Young, online sales manager at EZ Living Interiors, with its award-winning website, has tips on how to get the most out of online shopping. “The website is open 24 hours a day, and you place your order from the comfort of your own home,” he says. “We have a full team of experts on hand via our online chat service, which is operational during normal working hours, plus a fully functional chatbot which can answer any questions you may have out of working hours.”

A dining table can be reinvented with the purchase of some new chairs. Picture: Oriana B

One of the pitfalls of buying furniture online is the returns process if it turns out that, despite all best efforts, buyer's remorse has set in often involving choosing something too big to fit. To help mitigate a return, Steven suggests availing of sizing tools which help to filter products by the size of your space.

“You can also filter out colour and delivery time-frame,” he says. “Other tools include an augmented reality, which allows you to see a 3D image of the product in your room using your mobile device. We also provide detailed specifications and dimensions online and have just launched an option for customers to leave product reviews.”

Another benefit of shopping from home can be online exclusives, according to Steven. “These include clearance lines with very competitive pricing as well as brand new lines which have yet to hit our shop floors.”

Wouldn’t it be lovely, though, to have a personal shopper who can go out and buy the necessary? Shane O’Neill, interiors personal shopping and owner and creative director of Louth-based Meadow Lane, cautions against buying cheap and buying twice. “It’s better to save and invest in something that will last,” he says.

Browsing the bargains might throw up a coffee table and rug to go with a new sofa purchase. Picture: Next

“Quality matters. Look for timeless pieces, not trends. Trends change quickly, and, honestly, the trend is dead. Shop with understanding, not impulse. As someone who loves interiors and design, I always say get to know your own style. Choose pieces that complement your personality rather than what’s "in". Your home should feel like you, not a trend board.”

A top cautionary tip he offers is to avoid impulse buying because something is on offer: “I see so many homes filled with gadgets or furniture that are either too small or too large for the space. A bargain isn’t a bargain if it doesn’t work in your home.”