I’m an interior designer and my simple trick will furnish your entire home on a budget
LOOKING to furnish your home for cheap?
A home expert her tips on how to save money throughout the home design process.
Rather than running into Pottery Barn and buying whatever you see, you should do as much research as possible to understand what you truly need - and how to get the best deal for it, she first suggested.
Here's how the experts would furnish their homes for super cheap:
CHECK GARAGE SALES/FLEA MARKETS
The expert revealed that a great place to find furniture for cheap is at local garage sales or flea markets.
Flea markets might attract more vintage and antique lovers, but there is almost always someone looking to get rid of a small coffee table or nightstand for cheap.
Don't focus on how the piece looks in that moment, but rather picture it in your own space decorated how you'd like.
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Be sure to look for the cheapest options at these sales, and in many cases, you can bargain with the seller for a lower price.
CHECK ONLINE FOR FREEBIES
Websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace are great to check for free furniture.
People who are trying to clear space and get rid of their old couch or desk will post it online at either a super cheap price or for free as long as you go pick it up.
Some people would rather see their favorite old love chair go to a new home rather than be tossed out on the street.
TRY EBAY AUCTION
Check eBay for furniture auctions to land a cheap price on a piece for your home.
The expert recommended finding auctions that are about to end to find your new furnishings and to keep calm if you happen to find yourself in a bidding war over that six-drawer wooden dresser.
It's also important to note that it is easy to get scammed on eBay, so to check the seller's feedback for reviews before placing your bids.
TAKE A TRIP TO IKEA
IKEA is one of the most affordable stores to visit when shopping for your home.
Though it might not have the most unique-looking furniture, it does have many affordable and good quality options for shelves, tables, desks, dressers, and more.
She also recommended following sales at Target, Walmart, or H&M Home for conventional home pieces.
REFURBISH FURNITURE
Give your old childhood dresser a new chance at life by spending some time refurbishing it.
Test your DIY skills and paint it, switch out the handles, and make it creative in your own way.
It's also great to refurbish furniture from garage sales or buy and sell groups that might look chipped or worn down.
The expert suggested checking YouTube for any needed tutorials on flipping your old furniture.
CHECK COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Both move-in and move-out days are busy days on college campuses, and many students will throw old furniture on the sidewalk to make space for their new stuff.
Take a ride through campus to check for any hidden gems a careless college student might have dumped on the curb, and give it a new home.
Many colleges will also hold cheap furniture sales for people to come browse through move-in/move-out days, or be sure to check any local college Facebook groups for postings.
SCAN SIDEWALKS/DUMPSTERS
Finally, if you've had no luck yet, the expert said to check sidewalks and dumpsters for tossed furniture.
Instead of trying to find another home for their old chairs or coffee table, many people choose to take the easy way out and toss it in a nearby dumpster.
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If you find any trash-hidden treasures, be sure to sanitize the furniture and if needed, refurbish it with some paint.
One DIY guru gave a cheap IKEA table the ultimate transformation for just around $20 using marble contact paper.
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