By China Martens

WITH RENTS STILL costing an arm and a leg in San Francisco, you may be staring at the bare walls and floors wondering how you can possibly afford to furnish your new abode. Fortunately, the city has plenty of places selling used furniture for $100 or less an item.

A and D Furniture Liquidators has plenty of stock under the $100 mark. Daily, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 4889 Mission, S.F. (415) 585-3190.

American Cancer Society sells small tables, nightstands, and side tables for less than $100; chairs are available for as low as $20. Larger items tend to be more expensive. Bedroom sets start at $125; sofas cost $150 or more. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 300 West Portal, S.F. (415) 682-8053.

Bargain Depot caters to all price ranges. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 2696 Geary, S.F. (415) 351-1778.

Community Thrift is a 20-year-old nonprofit store with furniture accounting for 25 percent of its total stock. A regular couch may sell for $60, and a nice leather one will retail for a couple hundred dollars. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 623 Valencia, S.F. (415) 861-4910.

Den suits all pocketbooks, so expect to find a number of sub-$100 bargains, including side tables, lamps, and floor lights as well as one-of-a-kind pieces of art such as African carvings and ceramics. Wed.-Sat., noon-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m., 849 Valencia, S.F. (415) 282-6646.

Don's Antiques and Used Furniture occupies two adjoining stores, with between 25 and 30 percent of its stock priced at $100 or less. Don's is popular with furniture dealers and enjoys a healthy customer base despite its limited hours and lack of shop signs. Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m., 560 and 572 Valencia, S.F. (415) 586-3022 (for appraisals only).

Harrington Brothers spreads its stock across three floors, where you can find a variety of furniture for $100 or less, including dressers, nightstands, coffee tables, and chairs. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 599 Valencia, S.F. (415) 861-7300.

Hospice by the Bay Thrift Shop sells couches for $75 to $100 and reclining chairs for $50 and up; lamps are also below the $100 mark. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 1173 Sutter, S.F. (415) 673-3030.

Mickey's Monkey sells all its used furniture for less than $100 and carries anything from traditional items, such as dressers and desks, to more weird, funky items, such as a bamboo chair with a leopard-print seat and kneeler. Also on offer are '50s Formica kitchen tables priced at $30 to $75 and rugs costing between $50 and $60. Wed., 1-7 p.m.; Fri., 1-7 p.m.; Sat., around 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m., 214 Pierce, S.F. (415) 864-0693.

Moving Sale marks 75 percent or more of its used furniture at less than or around $100. Prices are negotiable, and the store will put items on layaway. Tues.-Sat., noon-7 p.m., 990 Howard, S.F. (415) 543-6833.

Neighborhood Discount Store staff say used furniture less than $100 is "definitely us." Sofas aren't always on display in this thrift store, owing to space constraints, but when they are available, expect to pay in the region of $60 to $70. Mon.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 4348 Third St., S.F. (415) 643-7291.

One-Eyed Jacks is an antiques store where you can pick up some good, solid pieces of used furniture with a little piece of history attached to them for $100 or less. Oak desk chairs from the '20s sell for $35 to $40 a pop, occasional tables are priced at $40 to $50 each, and an upholstered art deco vanity bench costs $65. Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m., 1645 Market, S.F. (415) 621-4390.

Quality Junk prices all of its stock at less than $100. Small furniture is the store's mainstay, especially tables and chairs, ornaments, and picture frames. Mon.-Fri., 1-6:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 12:30-6 p.m., 3611 18th St., S.F. (415) 626-1019.