How to Furnish a Home on a Tight Budget

Often times, when you are on your own for the first time or after a move, you need to furnish your new house or apartment, but cannot afford much. There are ways to obtain good furniture for less.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pen & Paper
• Computer
• Telephone

1. Start by writing down the amount of money you have budgeted for furniture and the items you need. Start with the basics such as a bed, a couch and a dining set; other items can be purchased later after you are able to spend more money.
2. Contact family members and friends to see if they have any old furniture they want to get rid of. Some people may jump at the opportunity to get an old table out that they have been storing or they may be thinking of replacing their couch and will see it as a good time to do that.
3. Get on the internet and check out postings. Great places to look include your local newspaper's website and craigslist.com. You may find some of the most inexpensive furniture there because people are often trying to get rid of their items as quickly as possible. But, always make sure you see the item before you agree to purchase it.
4. Look up thrift stores and garage sales and make a list. Spend a day or two visiting these places, looking for inexpensive pieces that are in good condition. Look for potential in pieces that may not look great at first.
5. Visit discount stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, Ikea, etc. for additional pieces...especially ones that are on sale. These are great places to get things such as computer desks and entertainment centers.
6. Check out furniture stores. Most stores will have a clearance section where they will deep discount an item because it has a small scratch, is missing a handle or is part of a set that was split up. Often times, it is something that can be easily and inexpensively fixed or would not be noticed by anyone unless it is pointed out.
7. Put the finishing touches on your new (or used) furniture. This could be a fresh coat of pain, an inexpensive or hand-made slipcover or anything else you can think of to make the item your own. Look through magazines and check out home improvement television shows to get ideas.

Tips & Warnings

• Never give money for an item before you see it and thoroughly check it out.
• It may sound funny, but if you are buying used, always smell the item. You don't want to bring any funky smells into your home.
• Small imperfections (a small tear in fabric, a scratch on wood), can easily be fixed or hidden, so don't hesitate to buy slightly damaged item.
• You can always think of this furniture as the temporary stepping stone to the furniture you dream of. When you can afford what you really want, there will always be someone else looking for inexpensive furniture who will be willing to take your's off your hands.