What are the best places to buy new and or used furniture?

I guess that would depend on your definition of "inexpensive" and a style you are looking for

IKEA is a good source for inexpensive modern furniture for students.

http://www.ikea.com/

You can also find good inexpensive brands of various styles and some with free shipping here

http://www.furniturexo.com/

As far as used furniture - you can probably find a good selection on eBay or - as other people already said - Craigslist which is local to where you leave.

If you want a bed and no living room instead of a futon or pullout sofa, you can get a cheap set of mattress/box springs from a manufacturer that has their own store, instead of looking at the double-padded mattress set that usually runs over $1000.00. You can pick up a mattress/box spring set for $200-$300, and they have the rail set with casters on the bottom if your studio has tile or hardwood, to make it easier to move and clean under.

If you want a futon and no bedroom look in the studio, Walmart has one that's okay to sleep on and I think it's around $250 or so, but you have to really put extra padding (a blanket or two) under the futon mattress to not feel the framing for the bed.

If you want a sofa and no bedroom (sometimes the couch ends up more comfortable to sleep on than the bed), try Big Lots if it's in your area. They have couches for $300.00, and they sit okay and are sturdy enough to last 10-15 years if needed. If you don't have a Big Lots, there must be another liquidator store that has furniture lines (most are either manufactured exclusively for the liquidator, or the liquidator assumes a deleted stock from an independent manufacturer). Jennifer Convertibles has a good price on their pullout sofas, but may not be in your area.

For the best deal, though, you need to check the classifieds in the Sunday paper to look for furniture being sold by individuals. Sometimes they have the furniture for a year or so, and remodel or decide they just don't like what they've bought, and will get rid of it for almost nothing to make room for their next purchase. You can tell by the house of the seller, by the seller, and sometimes even by the neighborhood (depending on your situation) the quality of and care given to a used piece of furniture.

Best of Luck!

If you have an Ikea in your area, definately check them out. When I moved in with my boyfriend, we needed bedroom furniture and decided to give Ikea a try. We found a queen sized bed, mattress, and two matching dressers for around $700.

The only downfall to Ikea is you have to put EVERYTHING together, including the lids to their pots and pans. But their prices are reasonable and if you're into modern/chic then definately give them a look through.

Good luck!

Resale shops for hotel furniture have decent items. There's one called Perez Furniture which has new and used stuff. Try this place if its not too far for you too travel.

Perez Furniture.

332 E Sauk Trl, South Chicago Heights, IL

I don't know your location but if you can find a CORT furniture rental ,they have really nice furniture and after they rent it once they clean it and sell it for a fraction of its value this furniture doesn't look used at all. I got a sofa,arm chair ,end table and coffee table, and a beautiful marble base lamp all for under $400. and they deliver! They had cheaper furniture too.

For used furniture, how about the Salvation Army thrift store or Goodwill? I got a really nice, comfy sofa from the Salvation Army t.s. Good luck.

check garage sales, or ads in the paper. we have a "thrifty nickel" which is paper that comes out every thursday full of ads for just about everything. also try craigslist.com or gregslist.com or ebay good luck...ive been there before...also if your needing furniture just ask around at work, thats what i did and a good friend/co worker actually gave me his old but in GREAT shape, kitchen table with 4 chairs. i got a futon for about 100 bux if at target that folds out into a bed, that can be used for guests. and walmart has some cute furniture too. especially during the back to school time of year they sell great stuff "for dorms" but of course you can u use it at ur studio. good luck!

World Market has great prices and very nice furniture! Or even Sears! They are having sales on mattresses now! I just purchased a queen size one this week for under $300!

A furniture store.

Value City Furniture. Check out their website.