Being a first-time homeowner is both exciting and stressful. On one hand, you have proof of your hard work but on the other, there’s plenty of things you still need to accomplish before you can fully settle in. But one aspect of being a first-time homeowner that’s both exciting and stressful is the act of furnishing your home.
As a first-time homeowner, you’ve probably just spent hundreds of thousands on the deposit, stamp duty, and all the other fees associated with buying a house. So, while it’s exciting to think about the endless possibilities of personalizing the real estate property you bought and decorating it to your heart’s content, you also have to think about how costly this could be.
Fortunately, the lack of funds doesn’t have to crimp your style. Below, we’ll show you ways to furnish your first home without breaking the bank.
Assess what you currently have
As amazing as it would be to furnish your home with new pieces of furniture and décor that you’ve been lusting after on Pinterest for months, this is usually an expensive option. Not to mention that the things you wanted to buy may not fit into the house you bought. Instead, start furnishing your empty home, look at what pieces you currently have from your old place, and see which ones you can repurpose for your new home.
Focus on the necessities
When you have the empty shell of your new home, it’s tempting to add item after item to your cart so you can furnish every room right away. But what you may not realize is it’s completely fine to furnish your home piece by piece. And the best place to start is by taking care of the most necessary pieces of furniture. This includes beds, dressers, a dining table, and a living room sofa. Then, you can slowly build your furniture and décor around them, giving you time to save for costlier purchases.
Prioritize high-traffic rooms
Another way to approach affordable furniture shopping is by prioritizing rooms that you’ll be using more frequently. Does your family love binge-watching Netflix while snuggled on the couch? Maybe you love hosting dinner parties. Whatever rooms get the most use, focus on furnishing them and once they’re done, you have the time to buy décor for other rooms.
Thrift shop
When furniture shopping, keep in mind that there’s more than one place to get the things you need. Pricey, high-end stores may be good for investment pieces, but you can find plenty of other things just as good of quality from thrift shops. As long as you thoroughly inspect every item, you might be surprised at the gems you’ll find while thrifting.
Use the 3 Rs
Refurbish, repurpose, and recycle — these are the three Rs that can help you furnish your first home in a cost-effective way. If you’re tight on budget, ask family members if they’re looking to get rid of any extra pieces of furniture. Chances are, they will be willing to offer you some anyway the moment they hear you’re moving into your first home.
Once you receive them, make them better by repainting or reupholstering, depending on the material. This way, the only thing you’ll be spending on are the tools you’ll use for doing the three Rs.
Plenty of hidden costs are involved in homeownership. With these tips, you don’t have to let furnishing your home become one of the heavier burdens.
