Owning a home, whether it’s a first home or one of many, can be a costly endeavor. Trying to resist the temptation to run up credit cards to furnish the home is an uphill battle. It is possible to furnish a home on a budget and in a timely manner; it could even be done debt-free. Below are tips for furnishing a home on a budget.
Prioritize Rooms and Decorate in Stages
Take time when decorating a room. If it takes six months, so be it. Being in a home is usually a long-term commitment. There is no set time frame on when furnishing needs to be completed. This will help give a better idea of how the room will look because there is no rushing involved. Allowing for time to save money for any big purchases needing to be made. First-priority rooms, for instance a living room or master bedroom, are often the ones that will be used most. Knowing which rooms to tackle first will help set the tone for the home.
Hiring A Pro To Help With Furniture
There are Interior Designers that specifically furnish the home for the homeowner. The designer can take care of all the details from style to completion. In West Hartford, CT area, there are designers such as All About Interiors, that will handle custom furnishings. If you live abroad, a furniture hire company in Perth will specialize in making the home special for any taste, and with a very short turnaround. Hiring a company that does this can also help if the homeowner is looking for short term options, or room by room packages, or even just one room. There are unique packages for every need and budget.
- Hand Me Downs
Accepting furniture and decorating items from friends and family that have been gently used will help to keep debt down to a minimum. The key with hand-me-downs is to be selective. Being thoughtful about what items are accepted will limit overflow. Otherwise there could be more furniture than is needed. Three important things to think about when accepting hand-me-downs are: does the item work, is there a place to put the item, and does it work with the style of the home? If there is hesitation on any of these questions, respectfully decline the offer.
4. Ask for Cash Discount on New Items
There is some furnishing probably better bought new instead of used. These could include mattresses and sofas. There are sanitary issues with buying these items used, so it is best to err on the side of safety and buy new in these areas. At furniture stores, be sure to ask a number of questions, such as how durable the piece is, and does the store offer a discount on cash or check purchases? This can sometimes be just a small discount. The idea is that if the furniture is paid off, then it is more likely the budget has been met and no debt incurred.
Budget for Pickup of Furniture
Arrangement for pickup is made by the purchaser. Particularly, if the purchase was made from a second hand store or from a furniture store. Meaning, that a van or truck may need to be rented. Especially if there are large items to haul. Money should be put aside for this rental. Always remember to add in mileage and gas costs. Don’t rent the vehicle for too many days in a row. Try to get all the items picked up in a one-day span. Hence saving money on the rental fee.
Learning to budget for furnishing a home is paramount in staying debt free. Keeping money-saving tips in mind and buying a majority of décor and furnishings second hand can greatly decrease the amount spent, while still being able to incorporate the pieces into the unique style of the home. Don’t be afraid to negotiate price to get the perfect piece of furniture for the home.
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