So you've bought a new home, and now you are faced with the next big challenge, which is furnishing the home. As we all know, this can cost a lot of money, especially if you are looking for a style that is unique to you and not just generic furniture. Furthermore, a home needs more than just basic furniture to feel like a home. So, how can you save money on furniture for a new home? Keep reading to find out!
Separate everything into needs and wants
Making a list of what you need to get for your new home and what you want to get for it is essential when making a budget for furniture shopping. Figure out what is the most important for you, and that will go in the needs list; after that, see how much is left in the budget and fill up the wants list.
Furthermore, the only thing that you will have to rush to get will be the furniture on your need list; you can get the rest as you live there and can put more money in the budget for the want list.
Buy used, or thrift
Buying used furniture from Gumtree, Facebook marketplace, or eBay is a good way to go if you are trying to save money. There are also plenty of thrift stores you can find local to you that offer vintage furniture at low prices. And even if they are not in the best condition you can always restore them at a later point.
This works really well if you are going for a certain aesthetic as well, modern furniture may not align with your vision of what your perfect home looks like. So, buying used or thrifting furniture may help you accomplish your vision more effectively.
Don't use shipping
If you can help it, and you have a vehicle to transport the furniture, don't pay for shipping; pick it up from the place you are buying it from. This way, you will save money on the shipping cost since, depending on the size of the items you are buying, it can cost upwards of $100.
Furthermore, if you don't have a vehicle that can transport the furniture you are purchasing, there are car rental services like
Uber Rent that you can use for however much time you need to make your new place a home. This way, you will be spending money on a rental for only as long as you need and
save money in the process.
Track down free offers
What's better than really discounted prices? Well, free things, of course! There are plenty of opportunities to find free furniture, where people are just giving away stuff they no longer need. There are plenty of Facebook groups that will have listings for things they are giving away. And as a bonus, these are usually going to be local to you, so you won't have to pay shipping or drive too far to get the furniture they are giving away.
Upcycle or DIY
Like with thrifting (and you can absolutely do this with thrifted items) you can upcycle furniture you already own. Make it so it fits your new home better. This way, you only spend money on the materials needed to upcycle whatever furniture you choose. So you save money and make sure that what you put in your home fits perfectly in it.
On the other hand, if you are crafty and able, you can always DIY your own furniture. So, if you have the time and tools, building your own furniture will definitely save you a lot of money. The best part is that you will only be limited by your creativity, so you can make your furniture the way you want and make it fit perfectly in your home.
Shop smartly
Every store, at some point, will have sales
Black Friday sales, end-of-year sales, and seasonal sales. So, keep an eye out on things you really need to buy new and snag them up when they go on sale. This is especially good for kitchen appliances and white goods. But this is also the case with other technology like TVs.
Hunting for good sales is a great way to save money, but remember, when online shopping, using tools like
Keepa and
Price History will
help you determine when the prices of the things you want to get are the lowest and if the sales are actually discounting the price.
Use discount codes
Buy Floor Models or Open-Box Items
If you're open to furniture that's not brand new or completely unused, you can find amazing deals. For example, on the Pottery Barn website, check out their "Open Box Deals," where returned items are sold at discounted prices sometimes just because the original buyer didn't like the color.
In furniture showrooms, ask about slightly damaged pieces; most of the damaged pieces will have barely noticeable imperfections, and don't forget to seek information about discounts on floor models because those are the likeliest to have suffered some kind of minor damage as they are the pieces that people interact with the most.
Create a gift registry
Registries are not just for weddings and baby showers. You can always make one for your new home. This way, your friends and family can help you shoulder the cost of furnishing a new home. This list doesn't have to be filled with super expensive items; in fact, you can take items from your want list and not need list and put them on the registry. That way, you can still get the things you want but don't necessarily need, and you won't have to spend money on them.
Find a local auction
Another tip for saving on furniture: Explore local auctions. They can be goldmines for vintage finds, from stylish sideboards to charming headboards, all at budget-friendly prices. Estate sales are also excellent places to score these kinds of unique pieces. Do your research and be prepared; find out everything you need to know about the auction and the pieces you want to get. And be prepared to be outbid; it will happen, especially if the prices are low and there are a lot of interested people.
Buy directly from the manufacturer
If you go entirely over the stores and go directly to manufacturers, you can save some money on furniture for your home. There is a little bit of research you will have to do to figure out what manufacturers will offer to sell their products directly to you, so you need to contact them via email or phone call. Furthermore, you will have to inquire about the transfer purchase method, the manufacturer's customer policy, and detailed information regarding pickup and delivery.
Although the process might seem complex, especially when opting for indirect purchases online rather than selecting directly at the showroom, buying furniture straight from the factory can be less stressful. This way, customers have the flexibility to choose colors and materials that best match their personal preferences.
Purchase in bulk
When purchasing a new home, you will have to buy certain things for all your rooms, like rugs and curtains. You may also want a variety of throw pillows and blankets. So,
purchasing those things in bulk will help you save money. Places like
America's Wholesale Furniture will make it easy for you to buy as many things as you need.
Outlets and discount stores
Lastly, you can always check out outlets and discount stores. Outlet furniture stores typically sell overstock, discontinued, or slightly damaged items at reduced prices. These stores often offer high-quality furniture at a fraction of the original cost.
Discount furniture stores offer a variety of furniture at lower prices, often by sourcing directly from manufacturers or offering budget-friendly designs. These stores are ideal for those looking to furnish their homes without breaking the bank.
Both types of stores can help you find great deals on furniture, whether you're looking for a specific piece or just browsing for inspiration.
