Buy Now or Pay More Later: Why Memorial Day is Your Last Chance Before Furniture Prices Go Up

Key Takeaways

• Memorial Day 2025 may be the last chance to buy a couch before new furniture tariffs cause price hikes.

• Retailers reported strong Memorial Day sales, especially in leather, motion sofas, and upholstery.

• Tariffs could impact imported materials like performance fabric, wood frames, and foam cushions.

• Small-space sofas, modular sectionals, and eco-friendly couches are smart to buy now before prices rise.

• Delaying your purchase may lead to higher prices, fewer options, and longer delivery times.

• The best Memorial Day sofa deals include 15–20% off, free shipping, and fast delivery.

• Not all discounts are created equal — use our vetted Memorial Day furniture deals list to shop smart.

Memorial Day is already known for legendary furniture deals. But this year? There’s a bigger reason to upgrade your couch now.

There’s growing talk of new tariffs and rising costs across imported furniture, fabrics, and raw materials. Translation: If your dream sofa is still sitting in a cart somewhere, it might cost you more in a month—or even a week. Memorial Day 2025 could be the last chance to shop before the next round of price hikes hits the furniture world.

Whether you’re replacing a sagging sectional, upgrading to a small-space modular, or finally committing to a leather couch that won’t quit, now’s the moment to act.

And lucky for all of us, a lot of Memorial Day furniture deals are live.

Why Memorial Day 2025 Hits Different

Memorial Day has always been one of the best weekends to buy a new couch — and results from 2024 suggest shoppers showed up. Retailers across the country, from Boston to Houston, reported strong performance in upholstery, leather sectionals, and motion sofas, with many extending sales into June to keep momentum going.¹

Why the rush? Because behind the scenes, raw materials and imported furniture are facing cost pressure. The threat of new tariffs, shipping volatility, and material sourcing issues means that brands could raise prices not just later this year, but as early as next month.

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to buy, this is it.

What’s Happening with Furniture Tariffs?

Don’t worry—we’re not dragging you into a trade policy rabbit hole. Here’s the short version.

The U.S. has been expanding tariffs on imported goods, and furniture is one of the categories on the radar. Upholstered sofas, wood frames, and performance fabrics are all at risk of becoming more expensive to produce, especially for brands that rely on international sourcing or global materials.

Some brands might absorb the cost. Most won’t.

What’s Likely to Get Hit:

• Imported performance fabrics like velvet, bouclé, and leather alternatives

• Foam padding and structural wood frames

• Recycled materials and sustainable textiles

• Modular sofa components manufactured overseas

And once those price increases hit manufacturers, they’ll be passed on to you.

Memorial Day sales are happening before most of this takes effect, which means you’re looking at what could be the lowest prices for months — maybe more.

What This Means for You (and Your Living Room)

Let’s say you’ve had your eye on a new couch. You’ve even bookmarked a few from 7th Avenue, Albany Park, or Medley. You’re just waiting for “the right time.”

This is it.

Here’s why:

• Tariffs could affect popular features like modular designs, FSC-certified wood, and non-toxic performance fabrics
• Brands may reduce custom options to cut costs (fewer colors, fewer sizes, fewer surprises)
• Many Memorial Day deals offer the lowest prices of the year—and shipping is faster now than it will be during peak fall season

In short: if you’ve been waiting, stop waiting.

What Happens If You Wait Until Summer

Prices may not jump overnight — but they will shift. And those small increases add up fast.

If you skip Memorial Day deals hoping for something better around July or Labor Day, here’s what you might run into:

• Higher MSRP from brands hit by tariffs or material shortages

• Longer delivery windows (think 8–12 weeks, not 2–3)

• Fewer fabric and color options as brands tighten SKUs

• Less room to negotiate or find stackable deals

• Lower stock of bestsellers (especially small-space and modular picks)

It’s not panic-buying. It’s smart buying before peak demand and supply issues collide.

Sofas Worth Snagging Before the Price Spike

You don’t need to go full sectional pit to get a good deal. Here are a few couch categories that make the most sense to buy now — especially if tariffs or material hikes are coming soon.

Small-Space MVPs

Compact sectionals, reversible chaise sofas, and sleeper couches with real back support aren’t always easy to find — especially with good fabric and fast delivery. Right now, Memorial Day deals are popping up on apartment-friendly couches under 80" wide, many with removable covers or easy-clean upholstery.

They don’t go on sale often. When they do, smart shoppers click fast.

Pet- and Spill-Resistant Sofas

Performance fabric isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the reason you don’t panic when someone drops sangria on the armrest. These materials — bouclé, basketweave, velvet, even leather alternatives — are usually imported and could be subject to material tariffs.

Better to buy now while prices are stable and swatches are still shipping free.

Eco-Friendly or Custom Upholstered Options

Natural latex, cocolok padding, recycled velvet, FSC-certified wood — these aren’t just sustainability buzzwords. They’re features that cost more to source and ship. Brands like Medley and Sabai have built their reputations on these elements, but if sourcing shifts due to tariffs, you could see steeper prices or reduced options later in the year.

If you’ve been eyeing an eco-friendly sofa, Memorial Day is a safer window than waiting for a Labor Day maybe.

Design-Forward Sofas That Rarely Go on Sale

Looking at you, Blu Dot and West Elm. These brands don’t always participate in sweeping discounts — but Memorial Day is usually when they do. If you’ve been waiting for a sleek, low-profile couch with serious style credentials, this is likely your best shot before prices or demand spike again.

How to Spot a Memorial Day Deal Worth Grabbing

Not all discounts are created equal. Here’s what a solid sofa deal looks like in 2025:

• At least 15–20% off MSRP (especially for sofas over $1,500)
• Free shipping or white glove delivery
• Fast ship dates (1–3 weeks beats the 12–14 week delays coming later)
• Durable materials like CertiPUR-US® foam, performance fabric, FSC-certified frames
• Modular or reversible layouts for flexibility—especially for small spaces

Avoid “limited-time” gimmicks unless the brand has a good rep and published reviews. Stick to verified deals with clear return policies and warranty info.

Or better yet—just use our vetted list.

Final Word: Don’t Wait and Wish You Had

A few months from now, furniture prices may look different. It might happen slowly. Or fast. Either way, if you’re already thinking about a new sofa, there’s no reason to pay more for the same product later.

Memorial Day isn’t just another sale weekend—it’s a pressure valve. Your chance to save, beat the shipping rush, and upgrade your space before tariffs or supply changes ripple through the market.

And if you’re still not sure where to start? We’ve done the work for you. Start with our complete list of the best Memorial Day Furniture Deals 2025.

Because the best couch is the one you buy before the price goes up.


SOURCES
¹ Thomas Lester, Furniture Today. “How did Memorial Day sales live up to retailers’ expectations?” Published May 31, 2024.
https://www.furnituretoday.com/furniture-retailer/how-did-memorial-day-sales-live-up-to-retailers-expectations