When it comes to redoing your living space, it can seem like an intimidating task. With the idea of new furniture often comes the idea of needing to break the bank. Fortunately, there are many ways to make your home look amazing on a budget. Affordable furniture shopping can help you to take your home from drab to gorgeous in no time.
Start with the essentials. It isn’t necessary to buy big items right away. Instead, focus on the basics that you can easily build off of, like couches or dining tables and chairs. Buying one big piece will set the tone of the room. Once you have the essentials, you can build around them.
Head to the thrift store. You can find great deals on the items you want at your local thrift store. Save yourself some money by not buying brand new furniture from the store. With a little bit of elbow grease and a little bit of creativity, you can often spruce up furniture found at a thrift store to create a whole new look. Reupholster furniture or give it a fresh coat of paint.
Look for quality. This doesn’t mean spending a fortune. You just need to look out for quality materials and construction. Doing research online can help you to get a better sense of what you are needing in terms of quality for a lower price.
Make it personal. Making furniture your own can give your home a unique feel. Add your own personal touches to furniture or make something yourself with a DIY project. Try refurbishing a piece that you find at a thrift store to make it your own.
Think multi-use. Investing in furniture that can be used in more than one way is a great way to save money. For example, opt for an ottoman that looks like a storage trunk—two pieces of furniture in one! By investing in pieces that have more than one purpose, both your wallet and your home will thank you.
Exploring the secondhand market. Thrift stores, consignment shops and flea markets are great places to explore in search of affordable furniture. Instead of settling for a piece of furniture that isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, take your time to peruse these options and you may find something uniquely you.
Trust yourself. You know what style appeals to you and what will work in your space. Don’t be swayed by a salesperson trying to push their agenda. Stick to what you like and it will be sure to make your house look amazing.
Mixing old pieces of furniture with new. Combining pieces of furniture together is a great way to create a look that is uniquely yours. Thrift stores and garage sales are a great place to find interesting pieces that you can pair with newer furniture purchased at a store or online.
Swapping furniture with friends. If you like the idea of mixing and matching furniture, why not involve your friends? Rent or trade items off of each other for a unique look.
Using paint and wallpaper to add a pop. Paint and wallpaper are great, inexpensive ways to create a designer-looking space. Save yourself a ton of money and create a beautiful look with paint.
Creating something from scratch. If you have a handy side to you, you can put it to good use by creating your own furniture. Check out Pinterest to get some ideas of what could be. You may just have to do some salvaging, thrifting, and a little bit of elbow grease to bring a creative vision to life.
Getting creative with furniture placement. Moving your furniture around can create a whole new look without spending a dime. Move sofas to different walls and even try rearranging furniture within the same room. This can be a fun way to change the feel of a space.