William Lipovsky
Layaway is a method of paying for an item you want to buy but can’t afford to or don’t want to pay for upfront; it allows you to make several smaller payments over time.
When you put an item on layaway, you pay a deposit, and the store reserves the item for you — you don’t get to take it home that day.
Over time, you make scheduled payments until you’ve paid off the item in full. Then, you can take it home (or have it delivered, as might often be the case with furniture).
Other financing programs like lease-to-own and credit cards allow you to take an item home right away without paying in full, but they’ll also charge fees and interest, and they may require credit checks.
Some customers find layaway preferable because the final cost is generally the same as if you bought the item upfront in a single payment.
Additionally, if you want to take advantage of a sale that will end before you can save the money or if you’re worried that an item might go out of stock, layaway can allow you to get the item you want for the price you want.
Furniture stores often offer layaway because the items are expensive, and many people can’t pay the full cost upfront. You can even get layaway furniture online. We detail your options below.
What We Recommend
For furniture layaway that you can take advantage of either in-store or online, consider shopping through American Freight, which has stores nationwide. It allows customers two full years to pay off layaway purchases, and you can put virtually any item on layaway.
For other good furniture layaway options and affordable pricing, Sears offers layaway in stores and online for most items, and the required down payment can be as low as $10.
Comparison Table
You can use the table below for a quick comparison of the layaway terms at each furniture store, then select any store or scroll for more details.
| Store | In-Store or Online? | Down Payment | Payment Schedule | Cancellation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Freight | Both | Variable | Biweekly for 24 months | No refunds after 10 days |
| Sears | In-store | 10% overall purchase price | Weekly or biweekly for up to eight weeks | Varies by location |
| Best Buy Furniture | Both | Variable | 2 to 12 payments; must be fully paid within 12 months | 25% fee; refund will be store credit |
| Discount Furniture Warehouse | Both | Unspecified | 2 to 12 payments | 25% fee |
| King's Furniture Warehouse | Both | Variable | 2 to 12 payments | 25% fee; refund will be store credit |
| The Furniture Shop | Both | Unspecified | 2 to 7 payments | $25 fee; refund will be store credit |
| Big Box Furniture | Both | Variable | 2 to 12 payments; must be fully paid within 12 months | 25% fee; refund will be store credit |
| Choice Furniture | In-store | 50% overall purchase price | Weekly or biweekly until paid off | Down payment is non-refundable |
| Ashley Furniture HomeStore | In-store | Variable | Variable | Variable |
The List
Below, we list the furniture stores with layaway programs, including both in-store and online options.
We’ve ordered the list below starting with the best overall options in terms of selection, availability, and overall shopping experience.
American Freight
- In-store or online: Both[1]
- Down payment: Depends on the amount of purchase[2]
- Number of payments: You must make payments of at least $10 every two weeks, and the final payment is due within 24 months.[2]
- Available items: Everything in-store plus out-of-stock items[2]
- Cancellation policy: No refunds after 10 days from the initial layaway, unless the item is out of stock for four weeks or more after your last payment[2]
- Shipping: Available from the store nearest you; rates depend on how far you are from the store.[3]
- Find out more
- Find a store
Sears
- In-store or online: In-store[4]
- Down payment: 10% of the overall purchase amount[4]
- Number of payments: Payments will either be weekly or biweekly for up to eight weeks.[4]
- Available items: Everything in the store[4]
- Cancellation policy: Varies; check with your local store for details.[4]
- Shipping: Available nationwide[4]
- Find out more
- Find a store
Best Buy Furniture (Pennsylvania and New Jersey)
- In-store or online: Both[5]
- Down payment: Depends on the amount of the purchase[5]
- Number of payments: Between two and 12; it’s up to you, as long as it’s within 12 months.[5]
- Available items: Everything in-store and most out-of-stock items[5]
- Cancellation policy: A 25% cancellation fee applies (waived if your item is out of stock), and the value of your layaway can be transferred to store credit to use in-store or online.[5]
- Shipping: Charges are calculated at checkout; shipping costs will be added to your layaway amount.[5]
- Find out more
- Find a store
Discount Furniture Warehouse (California)
- In-store or online: Both[6]
- Down payment: Unspecified
- Number of payments: A minimum of two and a maximum of 12 spread out over up to 12 months[6]
- Available items: All online items without exception[6]
- Cancellation policy: You can cancel for a fee of 25% of the total value of the item(s) at the time of ordering.[6]
- Shipping: Charges are calculated at checkout; shipping costs will be added to your layaway amount.[6]
- Find out more
- Find a store
King’s Furniture Warehouse (New York)
- In-store or online: Both
- Down payment: Depends on the item you buy
- Number of payments: A minimum of two and a maximum of 12
- Available items: All online items without exception
- Cancellation policy: Cancellation is available for a fee of 25% of the total item value at the time of ordering. Any payments made will be put towards store credit.
- Shipping: Available near its stores in Brooklyn, NY
- Find out more
- Find a store
The Furniture Shop (New York)
- In-store or online: Both[7]
- Down payment: Unspecified online
- Number of payments: A minimum of two and a maximum of seven to be paid over up to six months[7]
- Available items: All online items without exception[7]
- Cancellation policy: Available for a fee of $25; previous payments will be put toward store credit.[7]
- Shipping: Shipping fees are charged once payments are completed; shipping will not be included in payments.[7]
- Find out more
- Find a store
Big Box Furniture (Florida)
- In-store or online: Both
- Down payment: Depends on the amount of purchase
- Number of payments: Between two and 12; it’s up to you, as long as it’s within 12 months.
- Available items: Everything in-store
- Cancellation policy: A fee of 25% of the full value of the product at the time the order was placed will apply when you cancel. Previous payments will become store credit.
- Shipping: International shipping available in the Caribbean; domestic delivery available only in South Florida
- Find out more
- Find a store
Choice Furniture (New Hampshire)
- In-store or online: In-store[8]
- Down payment: 50% of the overall purchase amount[8]
- Number of payments: Unspecified; weekly or monthly payments will be made until the amount is paid off.[8]
- Available items: Everything in-store[8]
- Cancellation policy: The 50% down payment is non-refundable.[8]
- Shipping: Available in select locations[8]
- Find out more
- Find a store
Ashley Furniture HomeStore
- In-store or online: In-store, at select locations[9]
- Down payment: Varies by store[10]
- Number of payments: Varies by store; inquire at your local store for details[10]
- Available items: In-stock items[10]
- Cancellation policy: Varies by store[10]
- Shipping: Policies and availability varies by location[10]
- Find out more
- Find a store
Furniture Stores That Don’t Offer Layaway
The following stores don’t offer layaway. However, they do offer other financing options that allow you to pay for purchases over time, and they’re available both in-store and online.
American Signature Furniture
- Alternative financing options: American Signature Plus Card; first 36 months interest-free for new cardholders
- Find out more
Big Lots
- Alternative financing options: Big Lots Credit Card and Progressive Leasing
- Find out more
Costco
- Alternative financing options: Costco Anywhere Visa Card
- Find out more
Crate and Barrel
- Alternative financing options: Crate and Barrel Credit Card; with the card, six-month financing is available on purchases over $999.
- Find out more
Cymax
- Alternative financing options: Financing available through Affirm; an APR of 10% to 30% applies.
- Find out more
Furniture Mart
- Alternative financing options: Furniture Mart USA credit card; call (800) 431-5921 for more information.
- Find out more
The Home Depot
- Alternative financing options: The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card or Project Loan Credit Card
- Find out more
IKEA
- Alternative financing options: With the IKEA Credit Card you can spread the cost of purchases with 0% interest.
- Find out more
La-Z-Boy
- Alternative financing options: La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries Credit Card, with no interest introductory terms for new cardholders
- Find out more
Lowe’s
- Alternative financing options: Lowe’s Advantage Card
- Find out more
Overstock.com
- Alternative financing options: Overstock Store Credit Card and Progressive Leasing
- Find out more
Platte Furniture (Colorado)
- Alternative financing options: Acima financing
- Find out more
Pottery Barn
- Alternative financing options: Pottery Barn Credit Card, 12 months special financing available
- Find out more
Rooms to Go
- Alternative financing options: In-house financing, Rooms to Go credit card, Affirm, and AcceptanceNOW
- Find out more
Sam’s Club
- Alternative financing options: Sam’s Club has Consumer Credit
- Find out more
Sauder Furniture
- Alternative financing options: Monthly installment plan
- Find out more
Value City Furniture
- Alternative financing options: Value City Furniture Plus card
- Find out more
Wayfair
- Alternative financing options: Wayfair Credit Card or financing through Affirm
- Find out more
West Elm
- Alternative financing options: West Elm Credit Card
- Find out more
World Market
- Alternative financing options: World Market Credit Card
- Find out more
I have put furniture on layaway at Big Lots in the past. They may have changed their policies but I hope not because they have a perfect mattress for us at a great price!
American Signature does do layaway. I’ve used it twice now. small downpayment and 12 months to pay.
Hi Amanda,
I contacted the customer support at American Signature, and according to the representative, the store doesn’t quite offer a layaway program in the same way that we defined it for the other furniture stores, so I didn’t move it to the “offers layaway” list. But I did correct the American Signature listing to include several more financing options (which are very similar to layaway). Thank you for writing in — we’re always glad to hear readers share their experience!
I got information about purchasing high quality furniture after paying a reasonable cost. So thanks for sharing this useful information.
What retailer did you use to purchase @Kristen Watkins???