Pulaski

It depends what you like and expect from a mattress. Personally I wouldn't, but then I don't have, and wouldn't buy, any sort of foam mattress either as I like to sleep on a firm mattress and not sink into it. Aside from the firmness I would consider anything that makes me warmer (pillow-top, or foam layer/construction) in bed to be a definite negative.

Rete

I would not recommend Bob's furniture as they are noted for the sale of furniture with bed bugs. Bed Bugs are in the headboards, unfortunately. Check out the BBB in your area to confirm this. Bedbugs are an epidemic here in the NY/NJ area, be sure to use full sealed casings for your top and bottom mattresses and your pillows.

Ashley is okay for furniture if you don't want to go the IKEA route. Also good is R&F which was suggested. Also noted for good furniture but can be pricey is Pier One Import. Since you are in New Jersey you have a large choice of furniture stores. I prefer Sleepy's for mattresses and bedsprings. Good quality and far cheaper than Macy's.

Much depends on what you want to spend. I find Bed, Bath and Beyond to be over priced for the merchandise they sell and most items can be purchased for outfitting a kitchen and bath in stores such as Kohl's. Great deals on pots and pans in places like Costco and/or Sam's Club (but you have to be a member). Also try Home Goods which is a great regional store which sells overstock merchandise. Great for bedding, decorative pillows, throw rugs, pictures, cookware, tableware, lamps and occasionally very nice furniture. Got my Queen Anne recliner for $199 and it is perfect.

I'm with Pulaski on pillow top mattresses. I like a firm mattress and if I wanted a more cushioned top on the mattress I would buy an appropriate mattress cover.

FinnDiego

I guess they need to build in the margin for their endless 10-20% off coupons. Which reminds me I haven't seen any in the mail recently... Turns out they take expired ones too - I got finally clued into this!

More usefully the local BBBY has a World Market inside, which means I can get my licorice fix.

nick.simpson19

CORT clearance furniture Really good place that sells second hand rental furniture and its good quality... I bought our whole 3 bed apartment for $4500... Including decorative items!

They even set it all up for me, so I literally walked in to a furnished house!

jaffy23

I like West Elm and Crate & Barrel (though they've become a bit of a "posh" IKEA lately). West Elm you can normally find a 15% coupon by signing up to their mailing list. Costco is good for furniture but its usually just massive sizes.

What we found in NY when moving is that movers really don't want to be responsible for IKEA furniture and will have you sign a waiver.

There's also a Crate & Barrel outlet in Cranbury, NJ which is good if you can transport.

markcst

Nebraska Furniture Mart. The US version of Ikea without the square edges. You won't have a shop locally but they deliver.

orchid_in_bloom

We got our mattress from Jordans Furniture. We had fun trying on the different mattresses and ended up with a hybrid mattress (spring and memory foam).

Come to think of it, most of our furniture were also from them. Quality wise, they're acceptable and looks durable. What I also liked was their warranty. I accidentally spilled acetone on the dining table and the acid ate through the top lacquer. They sent a guy to respray the entire top layer.

Not sure if they deliver to NJ, though I think they deliver to Rhode Island and New Hampshire.

Crate and Barrel is overpriced, in my opinion.

I don't think IKEA is that bad. We bought two computer tables in IKEA in Australia and they lasted us for years without any problems.

tuxedocat

I recommend Ashley Furniture too.

No matter where on the date of delivery make sure you have nothing else planned that day. I've never had an on time furniture delivery.

Microfiber seems to be the thing with cheap comforters right now so if you have pets make sure what you are buying is not microfiber.

Buy rectangular sleeping bags or wool blend army blankets to keep in the trunk as it gets cold in NJ in the winter.

tuxedocat

Sam's Club has a good reputation for prices on mattresses too.

Pulaski

Would you care to explain?

tuxedocat

If your dog or cat comes in contact with it they will be full of hair.

petitefrancaise

Can I have your pets please? My dog and rabbit leave hairs on everything! Are your kids tidier than everyone else's too?

Pulaski

I think Tuxedocat is saying that "they" (the microfiber comforters, aka duvets or quilts), will attract pet hair.

tuxedocat

LOL! Pulaski corrected! I meant the comforter will be! We use the lint roller all the time here for our clothing but I don't want to be lint rolling a comforter every morning! Sorry, I woke up and saw the email notification and started posting.

I found the secret for tidy teens though! I sent my teen to a camp with military style discipline for a week and he came back making his bed, checking his clothing for threads, and putting his shoes in one spot.

petitefrancaise

OMG!! That made me laugh...My lot think they are already at a military camp sometimes.