Furnishing a First Home on a Budget

Moving into your first home is exciting, but it's not uncommon to realize that after paying down payment, closing, and repairs, you have nothing left over for decorating. If you are in the position of needing to furnish your new home on a shoestring budget, here are a few tips from our real estate agents for making it happen.

• Figure out what you already have.
  Even if you eventually want to replace all your old furniture, you may need to be patient and use what you have at first. Make a list of what you have and what you still need. If you're moving from a small apartment, this might not be as much as it would be if you're moving from a larger rental.
  
  
• Establish your style.
  Before you start making new purchases to furnish your new house, it's important to decide whether you're planning on changing your style and buying all new things as you have the funds or adding to what you already have while maintaining the same style. If you're changing your style, you may choose to buy things in the new style and incorporate your old furniture into the decor until you're able to replace it.
  
  
• Prioritize.
  If you don't have much of a budget, decide what you need the most and buy those items first. If you're thrifty, you may be able to stretch your budget to include other items as well, but always start with the most needed items, as you can fill in the rest later.
  
  
• Be thrifty.
  When you're furnishing your first home, you may be strapped for cash and trying to shop for a whole house at the same time. Fortunately, you can stretch your budget further if you find inexpensive ways to get what you need. Combing thrift and consignment stores, searching Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, and checking garage sales during the warmer months can help you get what you need for less. Plus, you get to enjoy hunting for just the right items to match your style!
  
  
• Get creative.
  Do your current furnishings not quite match the style you want, or did you find something you love but that's not exactly right? A little creativity and DIY attitude can be put to good use. Painting, distressing, recovering, and adding new drawer pulls can completely change the look of your furniture to suit your desired style.
  
  
• Embrace minimalism.
  It may take you some time to completely fill your new home with furniture, decor, and personal items, and that's okay. Sometimes a "less is more" approach will actually benefit your style and make it look more pulled-together, so don't worry if you don't find everything you want right away. Besides, it makes it more fun if there's room to add to your decor if you find something that's perfect for your home!

If you're ready for that first-home feeling, contact us today to get your housing search started!