Finding the proper house is vital, but how you furnish and decorate a room is what truly makes it home. However, when you’re on a restricted budget, it might be tough to get the desired effect.
The good news is that with some imagination, you may significantly reduce the expense of outfitting and decorating. Here are a few of our favorite tips.
Shop in consignment stores.
Many high-end consignment businesses sell furniture and décor for half of their original price. You may get a West Elm dining room table for hundreds of dollars less than its retail price.
Do a Google search for the finest secondhand stores in your region, then check their websites to see whether they sell furniture and décor. If they do, schedule a visit or follow them on social media to see what they share.
Local liquidation businesses frequently sell furniture and décor from well-known brands and designers. One liquidation business near me solely sells Target things, so you may buy nice throw pillows, candles, mirrors, and home accessories at discounted costs.
Some furniture retailers may also have outlets near you where they sell end-of-season products at a significant discount.
Visit flea markets.
While antique stores sell pricey furniture, flea markets may provide hidden gems at much lesser costs. Flea markets may be a great location to find décor and furniture, such as chairs, coffee tables, and dressers.
Flea markets normally do not assist with delivery, so you’ll need to drive a large car, rent a van, or ask a friend for aid. Consider the cost of hiring a car or truck when determining if the pricing is reasonable.
Flea markets and thrift stores may also be great places to locate knickknacks and tchotchkes. Look through old boxes of childhood mementos and family treasures for items to display about the home.
Find inexpensive photo frames.
Custom framing might cost several hundred dollars. Instead of having your paintings or images custom framed, go through local thrift stores for a suitable frame. Make care to measure the artwork beforehand. If you can’t locate a perfect-sized frame, pick one that’s slightly larger and get a mat to match the photo online.
You might also go to a framing establishment and pay them to install a mat. You will still save hundreds of dollars over the expense of bespoke frame.
Find used furniture and décor.
Every day, homeowners put furniture and décor for sale on websites such as OfferUp, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. You may also locate Facebook groups dedicated to selling furniture and other stuff in your community. Another option is to search your local NextDoor community for inexpensive or free stuff.
Freecycle is a website where you can locate free stuff that people have donated. You may register to receive daily notifications about what individuals are giving free.
Sometimes you might discover folks that will bring the furniture to you for free or for a little price. The charge may be less than you would spend for new furnishings.
Look for plants and containers that individuals have donated. These are another simple approach to improve a space without spending a lot of money.
Bring out your crafty side.
You may save a lot of money on house furnishings by being a bit creative. Try spray painting furniture or frames with a new color. If you have more time, sand the wooden furniture and stain it a different color.
Find methods to renovate old furniture that you already have. For example, your grandmother’s dresser may appear shabby now, but with some new knobs or handles, it might look like a whole different piece of furniture.
Print images.
Consider printing and framing any high-resolution images you have of stunning locations. Printing huge photographs may be cheaper than $10, and if you print in a normal frame size, you can use an ordinary picture frame instead of a bespoke frame.
Use sites such as Shutterfly or Costco Photo Center, which provide low-cost printing options. Choose a matte finish, which will appear more sophisticated and expensive than a shiny finish.
Never underestimate the power of paint.
Decorating a white wall with artwork and photographs may be costly and time-consuming. Instead, consider painting the wall a vibrant color, which may have a significant visual impact.
Painting a wall reduces the amount of art that has to be hung. If you already have paintings or images in mind that you want to hang, choose a paint color that complements those frames.
Use social media.
Before you go to a furniture store, publish on social media what you are searching for. You never know who may be getting rid of the exact item you want. People may also have recommendations on where to obtain a good bargain on what you desire.
If social media doesn’t work, you may post on your local Freecycle.org group, as well as your neighborhood’s Facebook or NextDoor pages.
Don’t feel pressured to decorate quickly.
When you buy a new home, you’ll probably spend a lot of money on moving costs, modest improvements, and basic requirements. You may be under pressure to complete the house fast, but this might lead to purchasing inexpensive furniture rather than excellent items that you will enjoy for years.
Instead, save money and invest in long-term products. Don’t panic if a room or wall remains blank for several months.
