It is one thing to get a lease on your first apartment. Furnishing it is another thing altogether. You want it to look nice, like some of those Pinterest images you looked at, but you might have limited funds. We understand that paying rent can be quite expensive, but you can still furnish your apartment even when operating with a tight budget.
First things first. Before you start ordering furniture, you need to be sure of the size of your apartment. If you operate on guesswork, you might end up with furniture that is too small, too big, or just isn’t right for your apartment. Plus, furniture doesn’t come cheap; in the US alone, furniture stores sold $113.78 billion worth of furniture. Therefore, you cannot afford to make the wrong choice when it comes to furnishing your apartment, especially if you have a limited budget to start with.
7 ways to furnish your apartment on a budget
1. Check out online marketplaces and popular affordable stores
IKEA
This is a Swedish retail store that houses everything you will need to furnish your apartment. Many of their products are inexpensive and range from coffee tables and sofas to shower curtains and bedroom sets. Just name it, and you are likely to find it at IKEA.
Target
Students and singles who are looking for very affordable furniture should check out Target. Imagine getting TV stands and simple futons for less than $50. They are known for offering budget-friendly furniture, but they also partner with designers to provide in-house brands that are quite popular. One caution though, when stepping into Target, make sure you have a list of the basic things you want to buy. People are known to step into Target and buy more than they wanted to because of how affordable items are. In some locations, when you spend more than $35, you qualify for free shipping.
Walmart
There is no way we can forget to mention Walmart when looking for good looking furtniture but won’t tear up your budget. Wayfair is another place to check out affordable furniture, but Walmart may offer the same thing you found at Wayfair but at a cheaper rate.
2. Check out Flea Markets and Local Garage Sales
People who visit these places are known to find not only affordable furniture items, but sometimes vintage ones as well. Flea markets and garage sales are great places to find very cheap items that won’t leave a hole in your pocket. This could also be a good way to make a little money to put back into your budget if you have old chairs, tables, or furniture that won’t work in your new apartment. Check it out, you might be surprised what you find.
3. Refurbish Old Items
Many times, when you check out local garage sales and stores that are known to sell very cheap furniture items, you may see good items that have some wear and tear. Such items many times are offered at very low prices, as an added incentive or may be completely free of charge. If you already have a chair and find a table being offered at a giveaway rate, consider giving it a few strokes of paint to bring back to life. Go for it!
4. Check Out Thrift Stores
Another place to find used furniture to save big on your budget is thrift stores. You can find good furniture items for your apartment at thrift stores. Although there are online thrift stores, physical stores like Habitat for Humanity ReStores offer you the opportunity to see what you are getting before parting with your money. Apart from the brick and mortar stores, you can enjoy the convenience of shopping for thrift items online where you find more options to choose from. Thrift stores are known to receive some items as donations and they offer them to the public at really low prices.
5. Mobile Apps
Mobile apps like LetGo and OfferUp are great options where you can find and buy furniture locally at affordable rates. You won’t have to worry about being scammed as they verify sellers and buyers before they can conduct a business transaction. While at it, Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace are great places you should check out as well.
6. Craigslist
Craigslist is a huge marketplace for local people looking to sell or buy items. You will be surprised to find used handmade pieces, coffee tables, cushions, and other collectibles in very good condition at good rates. You can also search specifically for what you are interested in buying when you visit the website. Make sure you are careful to not fall victim to scammers.
7. Swap with People
You can swap what you no longer need with someone who has what you are looking for. You can also ask your family members and friends if they have furniture items they no longer use or willing to sell at a cheap rate. Some of them may have items they are getting rid of and will be glad to have them out of the garage.
Final Thoughts
There you have our seven ways to furnish your apartment on a tight budget. If you are looking for more options, there are many ways to spend less when furnishing your apartment. Following this guide will help you get items that people will hardly believe when you tell them how much you spent on them.
