Have you got a dining table that's too small for family gatherings? Or perhaps your sofa has developed a dip in the middle that everyone tries to avoid. Black Friday could give you the chance to replace these things for less than you'd normally pay. At eFurn, we recommend concentrating on furniture you really need rather than getting carried away by the discounts. There's no saving in buying something that ends up gathering dust in the spare room.

Dining tables are worth looking out for

A good dining table can last for decades, so it's one of the first things we'd consider buying during Black Friday. If you're hosting Christmas this year, you might already be wondering where everyone will sit. Four chairs around a small table won't get you very far if you've got eight relatives coming for dinner. Our dining room furniture at eFurn includes tables for different room sizes.

If you regularly have people round for dinner, an extending table could be particularly useful. You won't need the extra space every day, but you'll appreciate it when Christmas dinner comes around.

Could you finally replace that uncomfortable sofa?

You know when a sofa has had its day. The cushions never quite spring back, one seat feels lower than the others, and everyone argues over the only comfortable spot. A new sofa is a fairly big purchase, which makes it worth checking the Black Friday offers. You could put the money you save towards an armchair or a matching footstool.

Before you order, get the tape measure out to make sure it will fit. A three seater might fit along the wall, but you still need somewhere to put the coffee table. If you've got a dog that likes sleeping on the sofa, think about the fabric as well. Some upholstery handles everyday dirt and pet hair better than others.

Sideboards can make a surprising difference

Does your dining room cupboard contain a mixture of Christmas decorations, old paperwork and crockery you haven't used for years? You might benefit from a sideboard with proper storage. You could keep the dinner service and serving dishes together, rather than having to hunt through three different cupboards whenever you've got guests.

We particularly like sideboards because they give you useful storage without making the room look like an office. Have a look at the internal shelves and cupboards before you buy. There's no point choosing a beautiful sideboard if your larger serving dishes won't fit inside.

Don't overlook occasional furniture

Not every worthwhile Black Friday purchase needs to cost hundreds of pounds. Think about the little things that irritate you at home. Perhaps there's nowhere convenient to put your drink when you're watching television, or your hallway always seems to collect everyone's belongings. A console table, nest of tables or coffee table could solve those little everyday annoyances. At eFurn, our furniture ranges give you plenty of opportunities to find pieces that complement what you already own.

What about bedroom furniture?

The cost of a new wardrobe, chest of drawers and bedside tables adds up quickly at their normal prices. You don't necessarily need to replace everything though. If your existing wardrobe is perfectly good, perhaps you'd get more benefit from a larger chest of drawers or an extra bedside cabinet. You could also use the Black Friday sales to buy a piece you've been putting off purchasing. Maybe your bedside table has a broken drawer, or you've never had enough hanging space for your clothes. We'd suggest looking at our bedroom furniture at eFurn and choosing what will make the biggest difference to you.

Make working from home more comfortable

If you're still working at the kitchen table, you probably know how annoying it gets when someone needs the space for dinner. A desk gives you somewhere permanent for your computer, paperwork and other work essentials. You won't have to pack everything away at five o'clock. Consider how much room you need for your monitor and keyboard. And if you spend most of the day sitting down, we'd make a supportive office chair a priority.

Make the most of Black Friday at eFurn

The furniture worth buying in the Black Friday sales is the furniture you've already got a reason to want. A bigger dining table, a comfortable sofa or some much needed storage could improve how you use your home every day. Before you order, check the usual prices and delivery costs. At eFurn, we'd encourage you to browse the furniture collections and see whether the sales offer a good opportunity to buy something you've had your eye on.