Editor’s Note: This article, first published in August 2020, is filled with tips on how to furnish your home on a budget. That’s something any designer, beginner or seasoned, wants to keep in mind. We hope you find the insights below helpful.
Whether you’ve recently moved into a new home or are making a few updates to your existing space, it’s no secret that furnishing a home can be very expensive. From dining furniture to living room furniture to bedroom furniture, it’s no surprise that costs can add up quickly — and that’s not to mention the cost of everything. Decorations will fill the nooks and crannies. Yes… it’s a lot.
But furnishing your space doesn’t have to be something that gives you migraines or worries you at night. It can be a somewhat seamless, generally painless, even sometimes enjoyable process. I swear.
Today, I share my main advice on how to furnish your home on a budget (no need for a migraine).
If you have any tips of your own, feel free to drop them in the comments!
Make the list
This seems like a simple concept (and it sure is) but it’s also one of the most important steps in the entire process. Make a list of what you’re looking for, sort it by purchase priority, and estimate how much each product will cost or Decide how much you are willing to spend on it.
Having this resource available will help you break down your purchase into stages. And while there’s always a little room for improvisation or to change your mind when inspiration strikes, having this base list to use as a guide will help you stay on track on budget. mine and Don’t be swayed by any decor that looks appealing while you’re shopping.
Plan ahead
One reason why many people go over budget in their decorating is because of the last minute approach to purchasing items. If you decide you want to buy a new sofa such as on the weekend, chances are you won’t buy the item at the most opportune time and you may not get the most bang for your buck.
Have your list ready and track each part of your daily browsing (even if it’s an item you won’t be shopping for in months). When you see something you like, jot it down and keep it in your back pocket until the time is right for you. The right moment might be when the item goes on sale, which leads me to the next point.
Use annual sales to your advantage
While the consumer nature (and a lot of the sales that come with it) in our world can be frustrating at times, approaching annual sales is the right time to buy the best. rank ready on our list is a more purposeful way to continue the process. And the ideal time of year to shop for specific items is actually more science than imagined.
this paragraph from NerdWallet includes a helpful breakdown of what to buy when. Need a new mattress? Your best bet is in September (especially on Labor Day weekend…and for home appliances too). Need new furniture? Black Friday, Labor Day, and Memorial Day are particularly good times to shop. Looking for outdoor furniture? You should capture that in October when the weather starts to change seasons. Patience is a virtue, and it can often land you a really (really) good trade in the long run.
Walk slowly
Bringing the space to life is a marathon, not a sprint. To go Slowly. When you want to buy new furniture, sometimes the excitement of the process and the goal fills a space all of The things you want can make you rush through it, quickly arranging purchases that exceed your budget.
Try to remember not to rush to finish your space. You can live (and have, even entertain) in an incomplete space. In the long run, a room that is slowly and thoughtfully decorated will feel more like a mirror image of you than a room put together in a few weeks. As with most things in life, the wait will be worth it.
In the long run, a room that is slowly and thoughtfully decorated will feel more like a mirror image of you than a room put together in a few weeks. As with most things in life, the wait will be worth it.
Never mind doing it yourself
I firmly believe that we all have more do-it-yourself skills within us than we might at first give ourselves. If there’s a piece of furniture you want and you don’t find it in your price range when you shop, consider bringing it to life yourself. Whether you build it from scratch completely, make a budget-friendly change (from IKEA or similar), or renewing the furniture you buy used, there are many options for how to bring personal items to life. This DIY bench (pictured above) is one of my favorite projects I’ve worked on.
Train your eyes
Part of the trick to learning how to decorate is figuring out how to train your eyes. While you may not know how to put the decor of an entire room together on the first try, you can figure it out with practice.
When you’re looking for pieces of furniture, let everything — and I mean everything– conservation as an inspiration. Head to a local antique store or browse online retailers — even those that might cost a little more than you’d like — and jot down the highlights that stand out to you. Exposure to interesting works or unique works of art. In doing so, start narrowing down the content of each piece you like, until you can better hone your personal style.
When you’re looking for pieces of furniture, let everything — and I mean everything– conservation as an inspiration. . . . If you’re exposed to unique and interesting pieces, even if they’re out of your price range, you’ll learn how easy it is to pick out great pieces at cheaper stores.
If you’re exposed to unique and interesting pieces, even if they’re out of your price range, you’ll learn how easy it is to pick out great pieces at cheaper stores. It takes practice to develop this skill, but ultimately, it will help inform you about the things you want to bring into your home.
Buy second hand
It’s no secret that I have a love shopping for second hand. I can spend hour Browse thrift or antique stores. I found the whole process perfect and stimulated my creative mind. And there’s another benefit to this little hobby of mine. Buying secondhand is (usually) an opportunity to earn some great transaction.
Second hand shopping also allows you to find unique pieces that can help give your space a glamorous and individual look. For example, I love buying high-quality frames at Goodwill (whatever the inside). I fill them in with digital copies of prints I buy on Etsy, sized to fit into individual frames. It’s a really simple and intuitively effective process to get started.
For more second hand shopping tips, check out this post on how to save like a pro and this article on how to decorate the house thrifty.
Creative
When you are decorating your home, remember this: There are no rules in home design. Designing a space is a a lot of process is more subjective than people usually admit it, and it Candlestick to be. The design of your home is a reflection of who you are — your ideas and preferences and the things that inspire you.
Use the two side tables as coffee tables. Use two stools as headboards. Take a long piece of wood, prop it on top of concrete blocks and call it a bench. When you decide on furniture pieces, remember that it’s okay (and it should be). outside the box.
Next time you’re having trouble finding a particular piece of furniture, get creative. Use the two side tables as coffee tables. Use two stools or chairs as nightstands. Take a long piece of wood, prop it on top of concrete blocks and call it a bench. When you decide on furniture pieces, remember that it’s okay (and it should be). outside the box.
Change your mindset
This last one may be the most important of them all. Try not to expect what the results should look like, and Please Try not to compare your space with others. Embrace the parts you like as you go. Buying things that reflect who you are and your personal taste will make a big contribution to the room in the long run.
As you become less constrained by the “rules” you think you need to follow, you can open up about what can naturally happen to each other and the happy accidents that can happen. . When you focus less on measuring to other people’s homes, you can create a space that reflects yourself. and Save your budget while doing so.
Plan, execute with your bravery and unleash your creativity. Trust that your space will come together over time and try to have it fun in process. And with that, I wish you well in all your indoor adventures to come. Happy decorating everyone.
Kate is currently learning to play the ukulele, leaving her husband, children and dogs desperate. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
