How to Furnish an Apartment on a Budget
With hefty rent seeming to be the norm these days, the last thing a new renter wants to spend money on is furniture. Don’t worry--you don’t need a lot of money to make your new pad chic and homey. Follow these tips to achieve fashion and function on a budget. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Visit IKEA or shop their online store. This European home store has a huge variety of fun, trendy, and inexpensive furniture and décor items. Quality is generally good, too--there are a surprising number of solid wood pieces.
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Explore discount stores like Wal-Mart. You’ll find loads of inexpensive items here that can be turned into something special. For example, a simple plastic storage box becomes a casual end table when you drape it in a funky fabric.
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Be prepared to assemble the furniture yourself. A little handiness goes a long way when you’re decorating on the cheap. Don’t panic--just purchase a few basic tools (screwdriver, hammer, and maybe a drill) and read the product directions.
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Cruise thrift stores and garage sales. These are great places to find couches and dining sets--two of the most expensive furniture pieces. Even better than finding a complete dining set is scrounging up four or six random chairs and painting or staining them the same color. The result is eclectic and individual.
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Go dumpster diving. If there is a college or university in your town, chances are the dumpsters near campus will runneth over at graduation time. Some items may be damaged, but many can easily be fixed and turned into your new favorite chair.
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Clean up and dress up your cheap finds. Refresh an old dresser with a bright coat of paint. Cover a worn seat cushion with luxurious fabric.
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