Best place to buy new furniture?

[stockmanl]

Moving to TV in the spring and have decided to sell our old furniture and purchase new items once we arrive. Does anyone have recommendations on where to purchase where we can get quality items for reasonable prices? Thanks.

[cybermuda]

We furnished our home in February using several sources, and we ended up wishing we'd used just Southern Lifestyles

They were friendly and helpful, the deliveries were speedy and efficient, and they gave us "loaners" while we were waiting for our items to arrive

We thought they would be more expensive than outside stores, but that wasn't the case

We had awful experience with Kanes Furniture in Ocala - time-wasting, lack of knowledge of their stock (which fabrics were available with which products) and they ended up taking six months to deliver - August!

[LittleDog]

We've bought quite a bit of furniture at Babettes in Leesburg on Hwy 441.
We've found the quality of their furniture is very good and the prices seem reasonable. I recommend them highly.

John

[2newyorkers]

We bought from Whites on 441, Kanes in Belleview and Southern Lifestyles. We were satisfied with all. No delivery charges from any stores and received the furniture the next day from Whites and Kanes.
We also bought furniture from wood u in Ocala. This is unfinished oak furniture that they stain to order. We love our wall unit and wish we had bought our kitchen table from them. This did take about 8 weeks for delivery.

[Cateca]

Go with Southern Lifestyles for new furniture and also look at what's available in consignment stores (some of the "used stuff looks new" such as Bargains and Treasures near the Villages off 466 and Carriage Trade in Ocala.

[champion6]

Also go to Showcase Direct in La Plaza Grande for new furniture.

[JenAjd]

Showcase Direct as already stated. Bargains and Treasures (re-sale)...in some cases you might find new there as people will purchase new but furnished homes from TV and maybe won't like some of it---or bring their own--so will re-sale it at B&T. Only thing is you need to go often as their inventory turns over quickly and/or you may not find exactly what you want the first time you go.

[jblum8156]

You can't go wrong with Southern Lifestyles. Their salespeople are very knowledgeable, great selection, prices are reasonable, their delivery people are terrific and they back up everything they sell.

[taylor111947]

I've heard good things about Southern Lifestyles. Do they also offer design service with an understanding of what works best in different models? The idea of furnishing a whole house from scratch could be a little overwhelming.

[CSilvestrucci]

Yes, they offer design service. They have the floor plans of all the Villages models and know exactly what will work where. You can't go wrong with Southern Lifestyles. Their service and selection are excellent.

[festusrules]

We liked the selection, prices and services at Southern Lifestyles in LSL. Ask for Jenifer, she is really helpful and patient.

[BBQMan]

Kanes has had more consumer complaints than any other furniture company in Florida. For further information see the following link

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/furniture/kanes.html

I prefer IKEA in Orlando next to the Mall of Millenia. Good quality at a reasonable price.

[Talk Host]

There is another thing about Southern Lifestyles that hasn't been mentioned here.

Since they are owned by the Villages, they have computer generated floor plans of all models of home. They can place scaled miniatures of the furniture you wish to purchase in your exact home. That way, you can see if it fits and how you like the layout. Pretty neat.

JK

[jerseyvillager]

Do the footwork, find what you want, get all the info (manufacturer, style, color, fabric, etc.) then buy it on the Internet. Dozens of sources, lower prices, free delivery and often no taxes.

We have just furnished our new home in TV and with an electric fireplace, complete dining room set, living room furniture and TV - all over the Internet - saved hundreds, actually thousands. I feel bad for the furniture stores but it keeps dollars in our pocket.

[ladylake1]

Southern Lifestyles and Furniture Direct get my vote. However, shopping around is the best bet. SL and FD may meet another local vendor's price. Get complete info and take back to them if you find somewhere else.

[jimmer]

I would recogmend Neerlee New Furnishings on 441/27. There stuff is very clean.

[TJ CHICAGO]

My wife bought all our funiture from Southern Lifestyles in 3 hours!
We had to catch a plane back to Chicago last year and had it all installed before my first rental customer. Jeff Tutin from SL had the floor plan for our model and helped identify whether furniture picked out would fit where we wanted it and he set everything up in our home.

[Debfrommaine]

We were lucky and got "as new" furniture from our fellow Villagers! I put an ad in the paper with our request and in just about two days 99% of our home was furnished and people who stop by can't believe it's "gently used" and not brand new. Saved tons of money. Welcome to The Villages..........

[ChiefSCR]

We have purchased a lot of our furniture from Kent's furniture in Belleview on 441 just north of town. Ask for Kevin or Kent. Their prices are very reasonable, selection is wide and varied and they deliver for free.

I had a horrible time with Southern Lifestyles and will never go there again.

[MSNPA]

Don't forget Veranda in Wildwood. They carry lovely, different items that you do not see any place else.

[stockmanl]

Thank you so much for all the awesome responses. Look so forward to moving in and getting to know the friendly and helpful people in TV! These will give us some great places to start our search!

[nkrifats]

I have had nothing but good experiences with Southern Lifestyles.

[2 Oldcrabs]

My sister purchased and paid for a living room set. The set was "on the floor". Told sales person she would need it in about 10 days. When she stopped by in 7 days to scheduled delivery she was told they SOLD the set to someone else. They can get another set in early March. Manager did not see a problem with this. After much arguing, agreed to a refund and told good luck ! If she would have signed up for TOTV she would have known.

[jblum8156]

My two sources for new furniture were Southern Lifestyles and Veranda in Wildwood. I worked with a designer at Veranda who was excellent. I went to Babette's but found their selection somewhat spotty, and more expensive than Southern Lifestyles. I have shopped some of the resale thrift places but haven't found anything I wanted.

[nitakk]

Contrary to the post above, I found Babette's in Leesburg to have a great selection of quality furniture - solid wood, not the cheap stuff. Their delivery was on time and they even helped me move my old furniture to another room. We need a new dining room set and are definitely going there again to buy.

[graciegirl]

I vote for Southern Lifestyles and Furniture Direct(?) (the lesser expensive one in Spanish Springs.) I also like Babbettes and Rooms2go(??) and Ikea in Orlando has some inexpensive white furniture if you are looking to furnish your home inexpensively as we did. It is our second house and plan to move the furniture from the Ohio house down when we move permanently.

I love Bargains and Treasures and the pieces we got there were in EXCELLENT condition. Also for accessories, Kirklands, Kohls, Pier One, Dockside and Bed Bath and Beyond and of course you can find a lot of accessories at Bealls too. And Walmart...and Penneys in Leesburg and that great place in Wildwood that has gorgeous light fixtures and pictures.

I loved the whole process of furnishing a whole house.:pepper2: Sweetie gets nervous every time I look at the paper for a house for our second move in TV.

[Whatever]

Moving to TV in the spring and have decided to sell our old furniture and purchase new items once we arrive. Does anyone have recommendations on where to purchase where we can get quality items for reasonable prices? Thanks.

Knew we were moving and would not take most of the furniture. We went to High Point NC and bought our furniture and had it delivered timely. Give it 8-12 weeks. We filled in with the smaller stuff from southern lifestyle. Happy with both.

[graciegirl]

Knew we were moving and would not take most of the furniture. We went to High Point NC and bought our furniture and had it delivered timely. Give it 8-12 weeks. We filled in with the smaller stuff from southern lifestyle. Happy with both.

Tell us about High Point. How do you go about finding furniture? I know it is a huge furniture manufacturing (and importing) area, but I'd love to know just where you go and how you buy it as a bargain.

[Bryant]

Can't always believe "delivery time" when ordering furniture. I ordered a Flex steel sofa and loveseat from Showcase Direct on Nov. 3rd and was told 6 weeks. I am still waiting. Most recent estimate "end of 2nd week in February". We'll see. Was told that the pillow material was out of stock and factory would not even start my order until that came in (even though the sofa material was in stock). Hmmmmm !!

[Matt and Gail]

We have used Kents Furniture in Bellvue (no Kanes) and found that they were great. Ask for Kent or Kevin!

[graciegirl]

My two sources for new furniture were Southern Lifestyles and Veranda in Wildwood. I worked with a designer at Veranda who was excellent. I went to Babette's but found their selection somewhat spotty, and more expensive than Southern Lifestyles. I have shopped some of the resale thrift places but haven't found anything I wanted.

I have told my friend who is building a home in St. James that Jennifer at Southern Lifestyles is really great to order furniture that you may have found "back home" at the same or better price. They also deliver and set it up for you.

Is Jennifer still there, does anyone know?

[Shirleevee]

I have told my friend who is building a home in St. James that Jennifer at Southern Lifestyles is really great to order furniture that you may have found "back home" at the same or better price. They also deliver and set it up for you.

Is Jennifer still there, does anyone know?

I don't know, however, Cissie is and is great!

[wendyquat]

I just cannot imagine why anyone would buy anywhere else. Southern Lifestyles and Showcase Direct have about anything you can dream up, their salespeople are super and prices are RIGHT!:BigApplause:

[hedoman]

My better half is a great shopper and takes pride in her "hobby". She furnished the areas we are not moving down from Kents and Southern Lifestyle. She told the folks at Kents she was in the market for a ,ot of stuff. When they toyalled it up she asked if they would offer a "deal" before ordering. They did just that as someone mentioned, on TOTV a while back, they would do so. Southern has many nice things but were a little pricey. We still found things we liked there. Kents delivered our things when we needed them according to when rooms were done with new carpet or tile. They made 3 trips in 10 days all free. Highly recommend them

[Tiger Lady]

We did the same thing when we moved. Sold all of the old stuff and bought all new. I bought everything from Southern Lifestyles. They were wonderful. We even special ordered a few things and they gave loaners to use until the special orders came in. Their delivery team was superb. They unloaded everything and set it up exactly where I wanted it. Our sales rep was Shane McCall -- he was great!!!!!

[FMF Doc]

We did the same thing when we moved. Sold all of the old stuff and bought all new. I bought everything from Southern Lifestyles. They were wonderful. We even special ordered a few things and they gave loaners to use until the special orders came in. Their delivery team was superb. They unloaded everything and set it up exactly where I wanted it. Our sales rep was Shane McCall -- he was great!!!!!

Ditto on Southern Lifestyles and especially Shane. We also found some stuff at Family Furniture in Leesburg. They were great to deal with too.

George

[mountaineergirl]

Jennifer is still there and she's wonderful. You won't be sorry:thumbup:

[Redrok]

Where is Veranda in Wildwood? Looked on Google maps, nothing came up.