Transforming an unfurnished living space into a comfortable, functional, and stylish abode doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Nor does it need to take much time.
If you’re relocating and wondering how to furnish your apartment with little experience and a limited budget, here are some tips for some inspiration!
Find Freebies First
You won’t always hit the jackpot with a quick perusal of your social media feeds, but the only way to know is to test the waters. People give away full sets of attractive, fully functional furniture all the time. For example, when I logged into my Facebook the other day, one of my friends was looking for someone to take her living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture off her hands…for free. She is giving away the essentials needed to furnish a one-bedroom apartment…for free! All she wants in return is for this person (or people) to arrange the transport from her apartment to theirs.
If used furniture doesn’t rub you the wrong way, don’t hesitate to post exactly what you’re looking for on feeds and forums. In many cases, people who move on short notice are as eager to give their stuff away as you are to pick up some free furniture.
There are mountains of free furniture hiding where you might never think to look. But it’s smart to be cautious about what you choose to introduce to your apartment…especially if you bring back something you found on the curb. Mattresses and upholstered furniture with origins that are unknown to you may be host to bed bugs or strong, impenetrable odors. Much of the stuff you can find via the Freecycle network, Craigslist’s “free stuff” pages, and similar websites is perfectly fine.
Yard Sales and Consignment Stores
Again, not everything you find will be desirable. But if you want to furnish your apartment without spending much money, take a morning or afternoon browsing nearby yard sales and thrift shops. You might find mint-condition tables, bookshelves, chests, and artwork for unbelievably low prices. If you’ve already decided on a primary color scheme for your apartment furniture, keep in mind that you can easily paint almost anything you see.
Online Deals
Big box stores, especially those with inventories that change each season, offer serious bargains every few months. Exclusive online retailers, such as Overstock.com and Fab.com, also have extensive inventories and cater to a range of budgets. When you focus on furniture and decor that work with your budget, it can be easy to attractively furnish your apartment exclusively through online retailers without spending a fortune.
DIY Decorations
Depending on how the furniture buying process goes, you may not have much money left to spend on decor. This is where your DIY energy comes into play. Identify what is missing from your apartment’s decor or atmosphere, and get to work on bringing those missing elements.
If you’re blessed with the kind of creative streak that makes others jealous, why not paint your own artwork? Even if you can’t turn everything into aesthetic gold, creative and generous DIYers offer quick and easy tips for lampshades, candle holders, table centerpieces, window treatments, and a host of other decor and design projects.
Furnishing a new apartment provides you with an opportunity to create the atmosphere you want. Don’t let your tight budget prevent you from reaching your design goals. Instead, think outside the box and benefit from the generosity of others. Believe that you can furnish your apartment beautifully and without spending more than you have budgeted for the project, and you can make it happen.
Do you have any tips for furnishing or decorating an apartment on a budget? Share them with the community by leaving a comment below!
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst