You just moved into your new apartment, or maybe you’ve just signed the lease, and you’re already thinking about what kind of furniture you want to fill the space with, but before you make any purchases, you should really consider the cost of furnishing your new place. Depending on how far away the place you previously called home was the move itself can be expensive. You may not have much left to furnish your apartment the way you envisioned after factoring in rent, utilities, security deposits, and other initial expenses. Not to worry though, because furniture is always something you can save money on. Check out the tips below to stay budget-conscious when furnishing your new place!
1. Get Thrifty
You’d be surprised at the kind of quality furniture you can find at thrift and consignment stores! Whether you like shopping in person or like the convenience of online shopping, there are several different options for finding great inexpensive furniture. Thrift stores receive furniture donations all the time, so there’s a good chance you can find something that fits into your design aesthetic. Or you may find an older, vintage piece that inspires you to go in a different direction!
If you have a specific type of item in mind but don’t see it, talk to a manager, and give them your phone number so they can contact you if and when they receive it. There’s also a variety of ways to get thrifty online by searching through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or downloading apps like LetGo and Mercari. Goodwill stores also have an online marketplace that you can find great deals on. You can also check out local garage sales and flea markets for inexpensive furniture options.
2. Check out Furniture Outlets
Most major furniture retailers like Pottery Barn have outlet stores where they sell their slightly damaged or overstocked pieces at discount prices. The “damages” aren’t typically all that substantial and will often be small scrapes, dents, and scratches. It won’t be the cheapest option, but if you have your heart set on getting something new that no one else has used then this is likely your best bet. You can also go to the regular furniture stores and ask if they have any damaged pieces, they can sell you at a discount price. Some stores, like Ikea, may have a section for damaged items at a discount price already.
3. Get Creative!
There’s plenty of ways to reuse and repurpose furniture, and you can find a wealth of inspiration online on sites like Pinterest. Whether it’s something as simple as painting a dresser a different color, reupholstering a chair, or a more complex project like turning a dresser into a day bed, you can create unique pieces of furniture to fill your home with that reflect your taste. If you’re really good with your hands, you can even build some furniture from scratch.
4. Choose furniture that serves multiple purposes
Maybe you don’t have the money to get both an ottoman and a dresser for your things, or you just want to stay budget-conscious and not spend a ton when you first move into your apartment. Get an ottoman with storage space! Choosing multipurpose furniture will make your space more functional, and you’ll be spending less. The amount of multipurpose furniture out there will likely surprise you – there are bookcases that store dining sets, stackable tables that turn into a shelf, chairs that house shelving systems, tables that can go from a desk to a dining table to an end table in seconds, and more! And, of course, there are the classics like futons and sleeper sofas.
5. Wait for sales
Obviously the least exciting of these five tips, but still a reliable way to furnish your apartment on a budget. If you don’t mind waiting to purchase non-essential items, then purchase them when there’s a big holiday or Summer sale at your favorite furniture retailer to get some great deals. You don’t need to rush into buying everything you might need and exhaust your budget all at once. After all, once you’ve spent a few weeks in your apartment, you may realize that you don’t have the need for the kinds of furniture you thought you would.
You’ll likely be taking some furniture with you when you move into your new apartment, and there’s no one better than Laborjack to safely take care of the heavy lifting for you. We provide the muscle and will pack, load, and unpack your belongings so you can focus on the more exciting parts of your move. Book a job with us today!