Where can I find good quality furniture like the ones found in model homes without breaking the bank?
Answers:
Well, first of all the developers will sell you model home furniture if you are willing to wait long enough (i.e. until the final phase sells out, inclusive of the models). The furniture is usually heavily discounted over what the designer paid because it is essentially used, sometimes damaged and may require some glue removal. (All of those accessories are generally glued to the surface to prevent theft or removal)
Short of that, floor sample sales are another way to purchase high end furniture inexpensively. Again, that is because they have been on the floor, used by consumers, and may have scratches or dents.
Remember, furniture sells at 60% above cost which means that the retailers have a lot of negotiation room. That is also why when you see a furniture retailer go out of business, run to the sale because they will seek to merely recover the cost or what they actually paid for the furniture.
One other way to buy well made furniture that is heavily discounted is through design centers for the trade, if there is one in your area. For example, as a designer I can take clients to shop at the LA Mart, San Diego Design Center or the Blue Whale. These mega-furniture marts are generally not open to the public, serve only the design community and give the trade (designers) consideration. That means, we know what they paid for the furniture, we add on our percentage when we sell to the client. They have trunk sales which are open to the public when the manufacturer's discontinue their lines or add new ones. This is one of the best ways to purchase high end, quality, designer furniture at prices lower that retail will ever carry it at because it will be below cost.
Other answers:
steal it from model homes.
steal it from model homes.
Call the main office of the developer and see what they do with the model home furniture. Some like to offer it to the buyer of the model house. Lets face it, good furniture with solid wood does cost an arm & a leg.