What to Buy Before Tariffs Begin on April 5

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Well-decorated modern living room in a cozy residential apartment — Credit: Procreators/Shutterstock

With a 10% tariff set to take effect on all countries on April 5, many Americans are worried about how much of an impact it will have on their budgets. Simply put, tariffs will make imported goods even more pricey — and most likely, a lot of items you buy are manufactured overseas. You might be feeling the pressure to stock up as much as possible before these tariffs take full effect and imported goods get even more pricey, given that most economists say the price of tariffs are ultimately paid for by the consumer.

The tariffs will be higher depending on which country the products are from, but the main takeaway is that many household items are likely to become more expensive, and if you have the means to buy certain necessities now — particularly if they’ve been on your list — then it’s probably in your best interest to do so before the current inventory is gone.

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Here are five home categories that will likely be affected by the new tariffs, and what experts recommend buying right now, if you need it. By keeping this list handy, you’ll have a better idea of which household items to buy now and which to save for later.

Furniture

Furniture from flat-pack favorites like Wayfair and IKEA will likely be impacted by tariffs, since both retailers source the vast majority of their materials in Asia and Europe. IKEA’s CEO Jesper Brodin announced last year that this was to be expected, and Wayfair is also revisiting its plans for the shift (the company already experienced this challenge when President Trump unveiled tariffs during his first term in 2019). If you have your heart set on a large piece of furniture from one of these stores — such as a sectional or a dining table — place that order sooner rather than later. But it could also be the perfect excuse to hunt for an alternative at a secondhand outpost or estate sale.

Tools

Tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Mexico, Canada, and China went into effect last month, which are likely to make everything from building materials to kitchen appliances more costly. But one home improvement mainstay that hasn’t quite felt the heat just yet is hardware tools — the bulk of which are made overseas. Dent Johnson, president of True Value Hardware, told the Associated Press that they will eventually, though, which means that it may be the right time to fill out your toolbox. Other alternatives? Rent what you need from your preferred big-box store or library, or see what’s up for grabs at a nearby garage sale.

Ceramic Tile

Bathrooms and kitchens outfitted with ceramic tile backsplashes and flooring have been a perennial sign of good style, but much of this material is imported from Europe and Asia — and the vinyl options are no different. While you could still splurge on those shiny, Italian-made stacks you’ve been dreaming about even after the tariffs raise the cost, you could also shop around before taking the plunge. Find out if a local ceramicist could do the same work for you, making your finished space feel even more unique.

Tabletop Accessories

Sourcing tabletop accessories from Amazon is a budget-friendly way to achieve a trendy vignette for years, but given that the retail giant’s inventory is likely to be affected by tariffs, shipping these items to your door will probably not be as cost-effective as it once was. However, this could be a blessing in disguise: Now you have the opportunity to either find or make what you display, whether that means shopping locally, supporting your favorite Etsy seller, or signing up for an art class.

Electronics

Given that China, Taiwan, and South Korea are the top electronics exporters to America — and all three are targets of tariffs — you can plan for everything from televisions to smart home devices to be pricier than they were in the past. While it might be tempting to upgrade your model or add to your collection, do so only if you have the funds to spare. Better yet? Think about all the things you can do offline instead. With so many stressors in the world, most of us would really benefit from touching grass.

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