Kitting out a home can be an expensive job. However, if you time your shopping trip well and buy at the right time of year, then experts have revealed you can snap up some savvy savings.
From the right time of year to invest in the best mattress on the market, to when to buy home appliances, technology, and even a new home, multiple retail experts have shared their insider tips on when to shop at the lowest prices.
Originally compiled by watch specialists Tic Watches, a brand who was keen to promote timely shopping, this calendar has everything you need to know if you're wondering when to bagsy a bargain.
Best time to buy a mattress: April
A mattress is a significant investment, whether you opt for a hybrid, pocket spring, or memory foam design.
So it's little wonder most of us are eager to snap up a mattress deal when it comes time to shop. But when are the best mattress discounts available?
'Retailers tend to release their new lineups in April' reveals Dale Gillespie, marketing director for bed and mattress retailer at Bed SOS, 'so early spring is the best time to find the biggest discounts. Buying in early April, you'll find some great value deals as retailers clear old stock to make way for the new ranges'.
Best time to buy a new home: August / September
That said, before you furnish a home you need a house! If you're looking to buy a new property then Ross Counsell, director of property firm Good Move, advises 'the best time to buy is August or September'.
'The majority of buyers start searching at the beginning of the year', he says, 'if you wait until the end of summer, when there are fewer buyers looking, you'll have less competition'.
'You're also more likely to get a better deal, as with fewer offers on the table sellers may well be more likely to accept a lower price'. Good to know.
Best time to buy furniture: July
If you're furnishing a home from scratch then the cost of investing in new furniture can soon add up.
The peak search time for new furniture – whether that's people searching for the best sofa, the best sofa bed, or where to buy a bed – is April, which makes sense if Ross from Good Move is correct and most home buyers are searching for new properties in January. By spring time many house purchases and moves will have been completed, and people will be looking to furnish their new abode.
So, if you're looking to snap up a furniture deal you may want to steer clear of springtime when prices are likely to be at their highest. Instead, summer is the best time to look for a bargain.
At this time of year furniture shopping decreases as people go on holiday, and retailers will be looking to clear remaining spring and summer stock to make way for autumn and winter lines, so there's a high likelihood of there being discounts on offer.
Best time to buy home appliances: October
Many home appliance manufacturers unveil new products in October, so at this point older models are likely to be reduced to sell through on discontinued lines.
If you're happy not to have the latest shiny model that's hot-off-the-press, then this can mean some great savings on products that were top of the range just a few months before.
Tic Watches' research shows that shopping for products such as a fridge during this window could save you a whopping 44 per cent!
Best time to buy technology: November
You may have already heard of Black Friday. This is the November discounting extravaganza that began in America when retailers discounted products after Thanksgiving, but has now crossed the pond to the British isles.
Historically, Black Friday meant some great deals on tech products, such as mobile phones, laptops, and music systems. Now, it's spread to encompass all sorts of categories, but the biggest and strongest deals are usually still seen in tech. However, as Claire Roach, online shopping expert and founder of money advice website Money Saving Central, explains, waiting until Black Friday may not be the best time to shop for a deal.
'Without a doubt, November is the best month to get deals, particularly on tech', she says. But, as she continues, 'A lot of people make the mistake of waiting for Black Friday – when the better deals are likely to be earlier on in November because retailers try to compete with Black Friday giant, Amazon.'
'EBay, in particular, was 2019's best place for tech deals, and the people who waited until further on in the month were left disappointed,' she adds. 'Prices weren't any better and stock was limited on highly sought after items such as the Nintendo Switch.'
So there we go, all of the best ways to save money if you're looking to invest in a high-ticket item of homeware – or indeed a home – this year. We're definitely marking up our calendars ready to score some bargains!
