“At the start of the outdoor season, you’ll see some good deals because people are starting to get their stuff moving in April,” says Michelle Madhok, online shopping expert and founder of deals site She Finds.
While it might be tempting to buy when the newest pieces are first stocked, shopping experts say it pays to be patient. “The best outdoor furniture sales fall between July 4 and Labor Day. Labor Day sales are a great option to snag low prices,” says Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. Stick with your rickety rattan a few more months and buy when the current outdoor furniture pieces and sets are marked way down—your wallet will thank you. RELATED: This Is the Best Time to Buy New Appliances to Save Big “Furniture is usually part of a lot of January sales when people are refreshing their homes for spring,” Madhok says. If you can wait to update your decor until the first and second quarter of the year, that’s when Madhok says most retailers are looking to move their home furnishing inventories. “Think President’s Day, Memorial Day, those kinds of weekends,” she says. If you’re looking to splurge, you should also keep an eye out for the kind of financing that big box stores offer, which will allow you to pay over time with little or no interest, sometimes with a store credit card (just be sure to avoid the trap of deferred interest). “Gift Card Granny will also direct you to discounted gift cards,” Madhok says. See about buying a large gift card on sale which you can then use at the store for what amounts to a discount on your new furniture. If you’re shopping for furniture online and frequently shop at a certain store, such as Target, sign up for its app for alerts on special deals and savings for loyal customers.