How to Furnish Your Home on a Budget

Getting to choose the ideal furniture and décor for your home is part of what makes being a homeowner rewarding, but it can also be a strain if your finances are tight. Read on to learn some helpful tips on how to furnish your home on a budget.

Budget
First and foremost, review your household budget to determine how much you can safely spend on home goods throughout the year. After you know your spending limit, consider what furniture you want to add or replace and prioritize by need. By starting with what you use most often, you can be sure you’ll get your money’s worth out of whatever you purchase. You may feel a desire to add or replace for every room in your home at once, but you shouldn’t feel like you’re in a race. Instead, gradually update each room according to need once you have the extra funds. Another way to save is to mix and match your home collection with a combination of lower-end and mid-priced items. It’s a smart move to invest in one or two sturdy pieces that you’ll use daily, while buying cheaper furniture for things that will get less wear, like a bookcase. Though price isn’t always synonymous with quality, avoid paying for poorly made furniture for daily essentials, unless you’re okay with replacing them within a shorter timeframe.

Shop Smart
Who doesn’t love a great deal? Keeping tabs on upcoming furniture sales online and in-store will give you more opportunities for furnishing your home on the cheap. Stores tend to have the best sales in January, July, and on holiday weekends. For outdoor furniture, try checking in late summer and early fall. Thrift shops, consignment stores, and yard sales can be a gold mine for unique, gently used pieces at an affordable price! Online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are also a handy resource for finding bargains, just take precautions to protect your money and yourself. In addition to being a savvy shopper, consider the versatility of what you purchase. Furniture with built-in storage can be an excellent value, as they save space and serve multiple functions.

Get Creative
You can breathe new life into your furniture, both existing and thrifted, by channeling your inner artist! Giving your items the DIY treatment is a stellar solution to salvage pieces that are still structurally sound but could use some aesthetic changes. For furniture with solid wood components, consider painting or refinishing them. A refinishing or repainting project is perfect for beginners; simply strip any existing coating, sand, prime, paint/stain, and seal. You can even paint over composite wood, plastic, and metal pieces, just be sure to prep them accordingly and use a paint that’s suitable for the material and intended purpose. Another way to add a pop of personality to your décor is to use removable wallpaper on the solid portions of your furniture. For example, try jazzing up a drawer face or shelf backing with a fun pattern, and finish with some new hardware. This method is even easier than repainting and is non-permanent. You don’t need upholstery skills to make your fabric furniture pop; simply give them a cleaning and add some inexpensive throw pillows and an area rug to tie the room together.

Even if you find you have little room to go on a furniture shopping spree, you can still spruce your home while saving money! By prioritizing, being wise with your money, and resourceful with what you have, you can assemble a one-of-a-kind collection that fits your style and your budget.

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