You are about to move into a new apartment, but you are going to have to start from scratch with the furnishings. What can you do to make furnishing your new home as cost-effective as possible? Of course, you can always start by asking around to see if anyone has got furniture, or other household items, that they want to get rid of. But, unless you are really lucky, you will not be able to furnish a whole apartment in this way.
The good news is that there are things you can do to make furnishing your apartment more affordable. Here are our top seven tips, to help you along the way, whether you are furnishing from scratch or looking for something new.
Upscale items that you already have
You should never throw things out without thinking about whether they could serve another purpose in your home. For instance, you can easily turn a pair of worn curtains into some useful pillow covers, if you have enough useable material. This is just one of many potential uses for old curtains. You can also turn old suitcases into cool storage units if you place them on top of each other.
Make the most of house clearances and yard sales
Make sure that you look out for house clearances and yard sales in the area. You can pick up some excellent bargains, but be careful not to buy items that have hidden faults. Do not be afraid to ask for a lower price for items at a yard sale; the sticker price is often just a starting point for bargaining. But, be reasonable with the price you ask for.
Add to, instead of buying new
Just because an item is not as you want it now, does not mean that you have to replace it. As an example, if you have a mattress that is keeping you awake at night because it’s too warm, consider a cooling mattress pad, instead of a new mattress – learn more at the Sleep Judge. Replacing items that can simply be adjusted is a waste of money.
Change up cupboard doors with curtains
If you want to give a new lease of life to the kitchen in your current home or add your own creative touch to the kitchen in your new apartment, you can create a whole new effect by using curtains instead of cupboard doors. This also helps to create extra space, which is a blessing in smaller apartments.
Use discount vouchers and codes online
There are several voucher code sites online; do not be afraid to use them. You should also sign up for discounts and deals from the stores that you want to shop at. This way, you get all of the information you are looking for, delivered directly to your inbox.
Choose new handles instead of new cupboards
We mentioned cupboards earlier in this article. Instead of replacing doors, you can simply change the look of them by adding new handles. You can
use this tip to update doors around your home and not just those that are on your kitchen cupboards.
Do it yourself when you can
One of the easiest ways to save money on furnishing a new home, or re-furnishing a current one, is to try your hand at DIY. A great example of this is putting up new bookshelves. If you have the time and patience to have a go, it can save you a significant amount of money.
All of these tips can be used to help furnish an apartment. Some of them are more useful if you are starting from scratch; others will help if you are looking to re-furnish. There should be something you will find useful in helping you save money, no matter which situation you are in.
