You just found the perfect new place to call home, or you’re finally moving out on your own and want to furnish your apartment with furniture. But wait, everything is so expensive!
Fret not; buying furniture doesn’t need to be an overwhelming process as there are always creative ways to get a beautiful, stylish home without spending too much cash. Here’s what you need to know when on the hunt for budget-friendly furnishings.
If you’re lucky enough to live near a big city, you likely have many furniture options. One idea is to head over to a local consignment or thrift shop. These shops sell used furniture and can be a great source for pieces that are stylish and affordable.
You can save even more money by buying from stores that are going out of business or are liquidating their inventory because they’re moving locations. Check Craigslist or other online classified ads to see what kinds of furniture they have going out of business. Many people sell their furniture at a fraction of the original cost.
If you’re looking to buy your furniture from a more generic store, look for stores that offer promotional sales often. Stores like Big Lots, Kmart and other thrift shops usually have sales throughout the year where merchandise is marked down 30% or more. You can find great deals on mattresses, appliances and other household items this way too.
Looking for a truly unique and original piece of furniture? Consider checking out yard sales, thrift shops, antique malls or online classified sites. You can score a great deal on some high-quality pieces from this route as well.
You might think that buying used furniture would be dirty business and it seems like it’s not worth the risk. But when you do an internet search for “used furniture,” you will find many positive results. There are lots of posts and articles on how to sanitize used furniture. You can find one that can work for your situation and use that method to ensure you’re not bringing bacteria into your home.
If you want some more interesting furniture, think about getting something used from a college student. College students usually have to move at the end of their term, so they’re selling off their furniture. You can get some quality pieces at a discounted price this way, so consider looking for students near you who are moving out or graduating.
If you want to buy your furniture on a budget, you should buy items that go together. For example, if you need a couch and a table, try finding them as a set. Chances are these are cheaper than if you bought each piece separately. Look for furniture that has multiple uses, like one that can be used for storage if it has drawers in it. That way, if you buy one piece that’s not quite right, you can just throw it out and purchase another.
If you’re buying furniture on a budget, look at dressers and chests. These two appliance types are great to have in bedroom closets because they provide storage space and look fancy and stylish. Some even come with mirrored top portions or side mirrors so that your entire bedroom is reflected in style by the chest or dresser you choose.
Make sure your furniture purchase is reflective of who you are and what your style is. You don’t want your house to appear cluttered and confused with mismatched furniture. Whether you’re looking for something sleek or something more country-style, be sure to do your research ahead of time so you know what you’re looking for and you won’t fall in love with anything that doesn’t fit your style.
If you are buying pieces from an individual instead of a store, have the person who is selling the furniture give you the measurements before doing anything else. This will make sure that you get the furniture that fits you perfectly. You’ll have more choices, as well, and you can find out what kind of color, design and materials are popular in your home.
There are many types of furniture out there, but it’s important to know what works for your style and budget. Every person has different needs for their home, so it’s a good idea to shop around and find furniture that is functional and beautiful. Adding a little bit of creativity to the process can help you save money and still get the pieces you want.
NOTE: When your budget is limited, don’t rush out and buy everything all at once. Instead, purchase things as you need them.
