subject: 5 Easy Ways To Furnish Your Apartment Without Going Broke [print this page] Once you move into a new place, your next big job is to furnish your apartment. If you don't have anything yet, it may seem like a big task to furnish a whole apartment, even a small one. However, there are lots of ways you can avoid major expenses when you take advantage of a few simple tips to find awesome deals on apartment furnishings.
1. Raid Your Parents' Home-
Before heading out to buy furniture, consider asking your parents if they have any in their home that you could take. This is especially important if this is the first time you've moved on your own and they may be willing to let you have your bedroom furniture for your new place. They also may have old furniture they're planning to replace that they'll let you have for free. All they can say is "no" so it never hurts to try.
2. Use Craigslist-
When you're looking for great deals on used furniture, Craigslist is the best place to look. One section of Craigslist is for free listings that actually can have some decent furniture that people need to get rid of quickly. Otherwise, take your time and look carefully at photos and descriptions before driving to see items. This increases the chance that the apartment furnishings will be what you expect and you'll be able to purchase them and bring them home right away.
3. Visit Consignment Stores-
Owners of consignment stores carry some of the best used furniture. They get to be selective about what they take, so the items you find at the stores are generally of high quality and in good condition. The prices generally aren't as low as Craigslist, but the convenience factor may make it worth it to you.
4. Purchase Off-Brand Furniture-
Although name-brand furniture has the designer name, you can often find nearly identical pieces from off brands for a fraction of the cost. You'll end up with some great pieces, and nobody will ever know the difference.
5. Wait for Sales-
If you have to have the name brand items, you'll save a lot of money if you wait buy during sales. Stores rotate their deals frequently, and if you have a little patience, you could get at least 10% or 20% off.
One essential thing to keep in mind when shopping for things to furnish your apartment with is making sure everything will fit. In addition to ensuring the pieces are the right size for the room, consider the size of your door and any tight corners so you can get all of your furniture into place.
