more articles like this

Tell them you found them on Edhat!
www.edhat.com/referrals

Furniture
updated: Jan 20, 2011, 11:46 AM

I am trying to furnish a home on a budget. Struggling with Santa Barbara's lack of reasonably priced furniture stores. Any advice/referrals? I am looking for living room, bedroom, and office items.

Places People Are Talking About:

Alpha Thrift	Assistance League	Catholic Charities
Cominchi's	Cost Plus World Market	Costco
Frank Frost's	Goleta Antiques	Ikea
Lazyboy Furniture	Opportunity Shop	Pottery Barn
SB Consignment	Timbuktu	Walmart

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 138386	2011-01-20 11:50 AM
Craigslist. Seriously
COMMENT 138388	2011-01-20 11:58 AM
i scond criagslist - did my whole bedroom for less than 300 with PJ milligan type stuff - Mattress not included
COMMENT 138393	2011-01-20 12:10 PM
Santa Barbara Consignment is wonderful!
COMMENT 138395P	2011-01-20 12:12 PM
Yikes.. there's so much stuff on CL. How do you weed out the good stuff from the crud? I miss Consumers' Furniture so much. We bought from them for years and they were the best!
COMMENT 138398	2011-01-20 12:14 PM
I fully endorse Craigslist, best way is pull up your city then narrow it down to owner listings only (otherwise deal with all the cheap 'dealers' who spam their listings). If you have a certain style wood/metal/black/oak, etc. then you can search for those keywords as well as the particular item. Just check and check often since things are always being listed and the good stuff can go fast.
COMMENT 138401	2011-01-20 12:17 PM
Walmart Site to Store (then pick it up in Oxnard). Costco (only when furniture is in season like now) Mattress Mike on Hollister in Goleta has good bedroom furniture/mattresses for people on a budget. I think he does a lot of IV business.
COMMENT 138406	2011-01-20 12:40 PM
Cost Plus World Market on State Street - Alpha Thrift Stores on Calle Real in Goleta and the Music Academy of the West Treasure House on their Montecito campus. Ventura has a great Sofa store - they deliver to SB.
EDHATBARBARA	2011-01-20 12:54 PM
I went to the Lazyboy furniture store in Oxnard and got a fabulous leather livingroom set (couch and recliner) for a fraction of what I expected to pay for it. They shipped to our home in Carpinteria at no extra charge.
EDHATBARBARA	2011-01-20 12:56 PM
I used to enjoy browsing the Opportunity Shop too -- but they've moved and I haven't gone to their new location. Also, I noticed there's a new place on Carrillo near Santa Barbara Street, right next door to the 805 Deli that has used tables, benches, etc.; they may be worth a look.
COMMENT 138418	2011-01-20 01:22 PM
i recently got a really good deal on a new sofa at "sofas etc." in ventura. i was able to get reasonable financing and a special deal on the delivery to carpinteria. ($10!)
COMMENT 138426	2011-01-20 01:40 PM
Ikea! You might want to invest in a screwdriver first.
COMMENT 138431	2011-01-20 01:43 PM
Wondering if those who endorse sales tax-free Craig's List are also the same group that loudly demands full and immediate services from tax dollar-funded public agencies? Just askin'
COMMENT 138444	2011-01-20 02:20 PM
CostPlus World Market is having a great sale right now! The prices are marked down 30 - 50%.
COMMENT 138448	2011-01-20 02:27 PM
I also endorse CraigsList. Look under Furniture: Owners to eliminate the cheap dealer spam. You might also check Antiques, General, and Household. I suggest looking at least twice a day. I look about two dozen times each day. When I moved into my new place in 2009, I had only my bed. My first purchase was a gorgeous cherry dining table and chairs with two inserts and Queen Anne legs. Next, a lovely sofa and loveseat from an older couple who had rarely used it. It was 12 years old and looked new. Then, over time, lamps, another gorgeous sofa, side tables, a beautiful antique coffee table, chairs/ottomans, antique dresser, etc. Finding the good things means looking through hundreds and sometimes thousands of ads. However, I have furnished my entire two-bedroom home for around $2,500. And it looks like it all came from antique or high-end stores. It is worth it. But it will take time and patience. If you have that, I highly recommend it.
ROGER DODGER	2011-01-20 03:09 PM
Craiglist look under "FREE" Curb alerts do it alittle at a time.
COMMENT 138460P	2011-01-20 03:16 PM
138431: It's used furniture! It has already been taxed! Why must this become political? I just got a dresser at Alpha Thrift and paid a hefty $120 for it! Look for garage sales too!
COMMENT 138466P	2011-01-20 03:30 PM
138431: It's used furniture! It has already been taxed! Why must this become political? I just got a dresser at Alpha Thrift and paid a hefty $120 for it! Look for garage sales too!
COMMENT 138472	2011-01-20 03:41 PM
Opportunity shop went out of business recently, FYI. Doesn't leave a lot of choices - there are good suggestions here, though. There's also a Pier One in the Ventura/Oxnard area still, for choices similar to Cost Plus World Market.
COMMENT 138477	2011-01-20 04:06 PM
No Ikea anywhere near here, 426. There is a store on Canon Perdido (between DLV & Chapala) that does furniture fairly cheap. But buyer beware, make sure the stuff you are actually buying (i.e. if it's wrapped in plastic, and you were looking at the model) is exactly what you want. The dresser I got needed to be sanded BADLY, and the stain rubbed off on my hands for a while - obviously the model looked different from the plastic wrapped dresser I brought home. They do have good deals, but, like I said, just really look at stuff before the wallet comes out. You won't find better deals than craigslist, yard/garage sales and possibly thrift stores, though.
COMMENT 138480	2011-01-20 04:38 PM
What are you looking for? We need to get rid of an entertainment center, a black leather recliner, and other stuff. I want to sell my 2004 Buell Blast motorcycle. But the entertainment center and black recliner are FREE. We simply don't have room for them.
COMMENT 138481	2011-01-20 04:41 PM
Costco Online also, usually the price includes shipping for large items. We will be closing on our home here at the end of the month and I have been looking at Craigslist too. If you get one or two pieces new and supplement with good quality used it looks great. I would buy more from craigslist but I have to arrange pick up for the large stuff. Costco has some nice things but if you need it delivered, shop online.
COMMENT 138485	2011-01-20 04:57 PM
Alpha Thrift has two locations in Downtown Goleta -- one at each end -- on Hollister. I've heard on good authority that Alpha plans to open a third store on Milpas in the very near future, where the Salvation Army thrift store used to be located.
COMMENT 138487	2011-01-20 05:03 PM
Alpha Thrift's prices are so expensive they should really take the word THRIFT out of their name.
COMMENT 138490	2011-01-20 05:12 PM
You don't have to collect sales tax, or pay income tax, on garage sale items, assuming they are used items that you are selling for less than you paid for them. If your garage sale items are bought/created for profit, that's another issue. Craigslist.
COMMENT 138491	2011-01-20 05:19 PM
Catholic Charities thrift store on Haley
SBSWEETPEA	2011-01-20 07:06 PM
Furnishing a place in Santa Barbara on the cheap is easy in my opinion. You just have to dilligent. Craig's List is fantastic I have gotten the best deals on them, including a craftsman amoire that was 3500.00 at Restoration Hardware for 800.00. I have also found dining room chairs, washer/dryer, lawn furniture, juicer, dressers, couch, coffee table etc. Most of the stuff is pretty nice. Also Garage sales &, news paper. There are very few things (furniture wise) that I have bought new. I think you could furnish a place with nothing but free stuff if you are handy/crafty.
NEIGHBOR	2011-01-20 07:43 PM
I got a really nice $4,800 bedroom suite for $1,600 from Lompoc Furniture about 10 years ago. I haven't bought anything there lately, but it still has the same owner.
COMMENT 138519	2011-01-20 07:50 PM
free stuff on the curb!
COMMENT 138521	2011-01-20 08:02 PM
Random on State Street has some phenomenal things - they get close outs from hotels and things but you have to shop frequently and carefully.
COMMENT 138541	2011-01-20 09:54 PM
Timbuktu on Canon Perdido
COMMENT 138546P	2011-01-20 10:32 PM
Craigslist. I've sold a bunch of old furniture on there. Pottery Barn and higher end stuff too. People put nice stuff on, but you have to pounce and be willing to look for a while until you find what you want. But you can get stuff for a mere fraction of what it costs retail and sometimes it's really not been used. People make mistakes with their decor or they want to move and can't be bothered to take it all with them. I'd not bother with smaller, independent furniture stores. Unless they are higher end, you're paying a huge markup but not getting the quality. You might as well just throw your money away or get some plywood for the stuff you get from most places.
COMMENT 138573	2011-01-21 07:15 AM
You can try freecycle, too.
COMMENT 138588	2011-01-21 08:14 AM
Alpha thrift is a rip-off - they charge way too much. Okay, here's my little secret, and now you all will know. There's a back room in Catholic Charities (Behind the blue wall) over on Haley - it's full of furniture! Great prices and quality. It opens a little later than the rest of the store and closes a little early, but hey, it's CC and the guys that run the place are great. Other than there - I'd hit yard sales. Better prices than CL sometime. Depends what you're looking for, you can have your crib pimped out boho style - it just takes time.
RICHBUSYWOMAN	2011-01-21 08:16 AM
@2cents: I bought a "brand new" mattress from Timbuktu, and when I was putting it on the bed I found the certification of refurbishment slip. It was used!
COMMENT 138597	2011-01-21 08:29 AM
Hit the garage/estate sales for a few weeks and you'll find amazing choices. Borrow a truck so that you are ready to pay cash and load up. I recommend not insulting folks with low ball offers, but feel OK saying "Is that your best price?"
COMMENT 138601P	2011-01-21 08:32 AM
We've sold - and bought - some nice stuff on craigslist; it helps if folks add good pictures. SB Consignment has some nice things too in a range of prices. Agree that Alpha Thrift store merchandise is often overpriced. Garage sales are good too, but you have to be there early. Good luck!
SBBOOKWORM	2011-01-21 08:38 AM
I lost my house (and furniture) in the Tea Fire and Santa Barbara Consignment not only had great stuff but they gave me a discount, too. That was such a huge help to me. Very nice people and wonderful things. I love everything I got there. Be sure to check them out.
COMMENT 138627	2011-01-21 09:49 AM
If you don't want used and don't mind driving out of town, IKEA.
COMMENT 138632	2011-01-21 09:53 AM
Go down to Oxnard and check out Urban Home. World Market/Cost Plus has some decent pieces at reasonable prices.
COMMENT 138633	2011-01-21 09:57 AM
Wonderful thrifts in Oxnard, too.
COMMENT 138651	2011-01-21 10:24 AM
Used furniture? Catholic Charities, 2nd choice United Family Services which is dirt-cheap when they have furniture at all (and the bus stops right in front). New, and have a car to shop but not a truck to pick up? Izzy's Affordable Furniture in Ventura New, and only have the MTD to shop? Fairview Furniture and wander around downtown SB looking for your price and style. I agree that Alpha Thrift has is not as thrifty as it used to be, though they do offer a lot of pretty good stuff at prices well below similar stuff new, and they display it well and give better service than some high end retailers.
SEEDLADY	2011-01-21 10:37 AM
if you can afford to take your time, do garage sale-ing and ask if they have any other furniture they'd be willing to part with. Go early and with cash. Cost Plus, Ikea, etc is such cheap junk, and will not last. Full of formaldehyde, plastic toxic glues, that off-gasses into your living space. Try to find solid wood pieces. How about free-cyle on the 'net.?
FRANKFROST	2011-01-21 10:46 AM
A whole houseful of furniture will be going on sale at 1324 Rialto. Call 895-9227 for info.
COMMENT 138830	2011-01-21 11:25 PM
Assistance League of Santa Barbara has household items that are smaller, not so much furniture pieces, but sometimes, with the prices fairly cheap. Monday & Wednesday 10-3, Saturday 10-1. Catholic Charities Craig's List for free, "curb alerts", wanted especially and use the "search" to speed up finding the items of interest from hundreds of items in household type categories. Have a truck or other vehicle readily available to pick anything up, show up and be one of the first to respond to an ad/location. The "Is that your best price?" was an excellent suggestion. Just along neighborhood streets, esp in certain areas, there is free stuff at curbs. Have the cash in hand when you show up. Frank Frost's contact for a house moving event can be checked. Goleta Antiques & Used Furnishings.. From any source, check over the item to eliminate taking anything with a critical imperfection..... Things like that "Caption/Oh! Caption" wood bed had a fine looking potential garden bed "fencing" with the head and base boards.
COMMENT 138864	2011-01-22 08:47 AM
The Random Store in downtown SB on State Street, 1100 block or so, has great bargains and a new section opened up right next to it with even more stuff - where Bill's World of Wood used to be. There were some wonderful furniture items there plus lots of unusual off lot decorating items and upholstery fabrics, pillows, lamps, room dividers, wall hangings. A great, fun and off beat place to shop for pennies on the dollar.
COMMENT 158007	2011-03-26 06:12 AM
Santa Barbara Consignment is the way to go. They are on Milpas behind Rustys. Great prices and they bring a whole new meaning to "consignment" shopping. Their stuff is high quality and they have strict standards so everything is super clean and in very good condition. I buy only used furniture now, both for price and because new furniture (at reasonable prices) just doesn't have the quality. Super nice people too.
COMMENT 166253	2011-04-21 04:41 PM
Definetly Santa Barbara Consignment. They have the best stuff and its cheaper than Alpha. High end consignment at very reasonable prices. If you don't go, you are foolish. : )