How to Cheaply Furnish an Apartment

Follow these steps when furnishing your apartment on a budget.

1. Create your budget

   Before furnishing your apartment on a budget, establish what your budget is. This step makes sure you don’t spend more than you can afford. List apartment essentials and items that would be nice to have, along with price estimates. The cost of these items depends on where you shop and whether you buy new or second-hand. Prioritize essentials, then save up for items you can’t yet afford. For example, a mattress is a must-have, while throw pillows on your couch could wait until you get some extra money.
   
   Some furniture essentials include:
   Mattress
   Couch or chair
   Kitchen table
   Desk (if you’re studying or working from home)
   Nice-to-have items might include:
   Bed frame/headboard and footboard
   Living area tables (coffee and end tables)
   Dresser
   Nightstand
   Additional lighting
   Artwork and wall décor
   Throw pillows and blankets
   Dining table with chairs
   Extra seating in the living space

2. Choose up-cycled or recycled furniture

   Purchasing used items is probably the cheapest way to furnish an apartment. What locals sell at great prices may amaze you. You’ll usually have to pick second-hand furniture up and move it into your apartment yourself. If you or a friend have a truck, this step becomes a lot easier. You might find upcycled or recycled furniture at:
   
   Thrift and charity stores
   Garage and yard sales
   Local online classifieds such as Craigslist, Let Go, OfferUp, and newspapers

3. Enhance your furniture

   You can always refresh a second-hand piece of furniture’s appearance with a fresh coat of paint or new fabric upholstery. DIY furniture enhancements don’t have to cost a lot and they can transform your pre-loved pieces. Don’t love the color of your new dresser? Grab a quart of paint and apply a few coats in your preferred shade. Unhappy with the rough edges on your nightstand? Invest in a few sheets of sandpaper and smooth out those corners. You could even throw a cover over a worn-out couch to make it look like new again.

4. Visit affordable furniture stores

   Many furniture stores have outlet locations where they sell returned, overstocked, or slightly damaged furniture at deep discounts. Some of the pieces look brand-new, while others have minor dents or dings. If you have a little more to spend, check out outlet locations to find high-quality yet discounted furniture. Online-only retailers like Overstock and Wayfair may also offer lower prices on furniture as they have lower overhead costs.

5. Shop at the right time of year

   Although you can’t always time your move based on the best furniture sales, you can wait to invest in nicer items. Most retailers unveil new products in the early spring and mid-fall and discount old stock to make room for the new arrivals. July is another great time to shop for furniture, as retailers offer major discounts to balance lower summertime sales. Timing your purchase around holidays such as Labor Day, the 4th of July, or Black Friday can also help you save.

6. Ask around

   Asking friends and family if they have any furniture they’re no longer using can help you score great deals on apartment essentials. The worst they can say is no. If you’re lucky, you might get free or cheap furnishings.

7. Rent some furniture

   If you’re planning to live somewhere short-term, consider renting your furniture. Traveling nurses and people working on location for a set period of time often rent furniture because it’s a cost-effective alternative to investing in costly pieces they’ll eventually have to move to the next location. Some major furniture rental companies let you purchase pieces you love at the end of the rental term.