With the economic forecast looking as gloomy as it does you’d be forgiven for thinking that new bed purchase you’ve been hankering after is never gonna happen. It’s no lie that sales of large and more costly items like furniture tend to dip during a recession. However, if you are clever about it you can actually use the situation to your advantage and get some really good deals.

Here are my tips on buying furniture in the credit crunch:

1. Get it for free. The idea of online social network to swap and recycle furniture has become hugely popular ont the web lately. Make sure you check out sites like freecycle.org, gumtree.com and craigslist.com and see what’s available in your area. You can’t be too picky but you might find the perfect item at the best possible cost – nothing at all!

2. Dont turn your nose up at charity shops. In this day and age you can’t afford to be a snob. You might be pleasantly surprised at the standard of items you can find at a decent second hand store. OK so not all of the stuff you find there will be particularly new, stylish or well kept. But I’ve often come across some really solid pine kitchen and dining room furniture at my local YMCA store!

3. It’s good to haggle. The financial situation means the time is ripe to bargain on the final price, even in the large, established department stores. These companies are fighting it out to get you to buy from them. Trust me – sales assistants at these places are prepared to throw in discounts to win your business. If you want to pay a little less for that painted furniture set, just ask them to knock some money off. You’ll be surprised at just how often they agree.

4. Use the internet. There have been a swarm of furniture sites online in the last couple of years. And they can be the source of some real bargains. Often you can find the same pieces on a web-only store as you do in the big showrooms, at a much cheaper price. The statistics say it all here. In 2009, online furniture sales increased by 31% when compared to the previous year.

5. Find a local supplier. It may seem counter intuitive but finding a local furniture can actually end up cheaper than a national chain. First of all, there is the friendliness factor – local furniture dealers are often also owners and are far more willing to cut a deal with you. Also, you often find beautiful handmade furniture made with solid wood rather than the mass produced veneer you get in the big stores. I’m speaking from experience here – I recently came across a gorgeous showroom close to where I live, offering great white bedroom furniture and accessories. I ended up stocking up my entire bedroom from there!

So don’t be too quick to dismiss those big purchases because of the financial crisis. You could end up with a great deal

Tags: credit crunch, financial crisis, Furniture, recession