How to Shop Furniture Sales Like a Designer

Your Guide to Finding Timeless Pieces at Once-in-a-Lifetime Prices

There’s a certain thrill to discovering the perfect piece of furniture—especially when it’s priced far below its original value. But how do interior designers and seasoned shoppers manage to walk into a furniture liquidation sale and walk out with pieces that look like they were custom-made for their space?

At Ennis Fine Furniture, we have worked hand in hand with designers and homeowners across the Northwest for generations. With decades of experience curating fine furnishings in Boise, Spokane, and beyond, we’ve seen how trained eyes approach a sale with vision, confidence, and a touch of creative courage. 

Here are a few expert-backed tips to help you shop a furniture liquidation event like a pro—and create a space that looks anything but clearance.

1. Have a Vision—but Stay Flexible

Designers rarely shop with a rigid checklist. Instead, they have a poetic vision– a mood, a palette, an atmosphere. Perhaps your heart is set on a soft velvet chair to anchor a reading nook or a streamlined walnut buffet that will accent the quiet grandeur of your dining room. But within the magic of a liquidation event, you may stumble upon something unexpected that fits your dream even better than the original plan.

At liquidation sales, inventory is one-of-a-kind and constantly changing. If you arrive knowing your color palette, layout, and how each piece will function in your home, you’ll be able to spot pieces that elevate your vision—even if they’re not what you expected to find.

2. Measure Before You Go

One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is falling in love with a piece that won’t fit. Designers always come armed with measurements—not just of the room but of doorways, hallways, and stairwells. They will often use painter’s tape to mark off your room measurements and sketch out a footprint on the showroom floor. By coming prepared, you will feel empowered to say “Yes!” when the right piece presents itself. And when time is of the essence– clearance treasures don’t last long– you don’t hesitate.

Bonus Tip: Bring photos of your home’s interiors, swatches of paint or fabric, and measurements of existing pieces. It is like having your home feeding you the answers while you shop.

3. Mix Eras, Materials, and Moods

Professional designers know that “matchy-matchy” rooms often feel flat. The secret? Contrast and texture. Imagine this: gleaming metals against rich wood; sleek modern next to aged charm; cool marble contrasting warm textiles.

Use the liquidation event to find standout pieces that add richness and balance to your existing decor. Pair a contemporary leather sectional with a vintage-inspired Stickley credenza. Mixing styles creates a layered, designer-quality look. Let offposites attract, and your room with buzz with personality.

4. Look Beyond the Showroom Finish

Just because a dresser is shown in a coastal blue finish doesn’t mean it can’t live beautifully in a mountain-style home. Designers are masters at reimagining pieces in new settings.

If the modern lines, premium materials, and superb quality are there, you can make almost anything fit in your styled home with the wonderful customization options available at Ennis. With the savings from a liquidation event, you might even treat yourself to a custom upholstery refresh or hardware swap. Many of our clients choose to refresh their treasures with the money they saved to make it their own in every way.

5. Act with Intention, Not Impulse

There is urgency in a clearance sale. After all, when it’s gone, it’s truly gone. But don’t let excitement rush you into a misfit. Designers move swiftly, yes—but always with measured consideration. If something aligns with your aesthetic, fits your space, and sparks delight, trust your gut and say “yes!”

But if you're hesitating because it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Even with an enticing price tag, a mismatch will cost you more in long-term regret than you saved in dollars.

6. Know Where to Shop

An expertly curated clearance event is rare, but designers always know what is coming and available in the furniture world. Ennis Fine Furniture’s upcoming Spokane Inventory Liquidation Event is just such an occasion.

Beginning Saturday, April 12, discover over 10,000 square feet of luxury furnishings at breathtaking discounts—up to 80% off. Expect handcrafted pieces from celebrated names like Stickley, Canadel, Bernhardt, and more, all offered at prices you may never see again.

7. Bring the Right Companion

While solo shopping can be easy, bringing a trusted eye, whether it’s a friend with good taste or one of Ennis’s in-house designers, can offer clarity and confidence. Our Spokane designers offer free consultations, and some may even accompany you to help envision how each piece will live in your space.

We believe furniture is not simply utilitarian—it’s the backdrop for your life. Every gathering, every quiet moment, and every season is enriched by the beauty that surrounds you. So let someone help you choose wisely and well.

Whether you're furnishing a new home or upgrading a single room, liquidation events are full of potential—and with a designer’s mindset, you’ll walk away with more than savings. You’ll walk away with a timeless style that lasts. Be sure to attend Ennis Fine Furniture’s off-site liquidation sale in Spokane, WA, starting on April 12. You won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.