Moving into an unfurnished rental can be a huge pain point. On top of rent, there are already so many other expenses like moving costs, deposits, and utilities that one often has to give up the idea of a well-furnished living space.
However, just because you are living in a rented property doesn’t mean you can furnish it, add some decorations and make it your own.
There are so many creative ways to furnish your rental on a budget without having to burn a hole in your wallet.
How to Furnish Your Rental on a Budget
If you tend to move often, you can always save on furniture and décor without having to compromise living in a well-decorated and comfortable home. The cost of decorating a new place is definitely a lot, but if you know where to look, what you want, and how much you can spend, you can easily furnish your rental on a budget.
We’ve rounded up a few tips and ways through which you can get your hands on nice, decent furniture, decorative accessories, and fittings to spruce up your rental.
Rent the Furniture
If you are living in a rented space, it only makes sense to rent the furniture as well, doesn’t it?
Some renters might like the idea of rented furniture, some might not, but it comes down to personal preferences. However, it is definitely an option you should consider to furnish your rental on a budget.
Buying furniture items can be quite expensive for you, especially if you are someone who moves and relocates a lot. But, note here that renting is more of a money-saving option in the short run, whereas buying is a more cost-effective option in the long run.
Depending on where you live, you might find some services that rent out furniture and heavy-duty items like coffee tables, sofas, beds, and nightstands to both short-term and long-term renters.
Buy Second-Hand Furniture
If you would rather buy furniture than rent it, how about investing in second-hand furniture? This is another great cost-effective option to help your furnish your rental on a budget.
Alongside furniture, you can also get your hands on different decorative items like wall art, paintings, and centerpieces to add some color and beauty to your rental.
Get Thrifty
Thrift stores are your best friend if you are looking for high-end or high-quality furniture at affordable prices.
From online shopping to brick-and-mortar stores, you will easily find a range of options in both cases. If you get lucky, you might even come across some fantastic deals on furniture and other related items.
Lookout for Garage Sales
The good old garage sale! A lot of people often tend to underestimate these yard and garage sales, but truth be told, they can be a blessing in disguise, especially for renters.
Many people hold garage sales every now and then where they even put up quality furniture items at low prices.
If you don’t wish to go through the hassle of driving around your neighborhood in search of garage sales, you can resort to online applications such as the Nextdoor app. Your neighbors are likely going to post about their garage and yard sales here online. So, you can stay updated by registering and signing up to receive notifications about all these sales and other such events happening in your area.
Explore Furniture Outlet Stores
Outlet stores, also known as factory outlets, often have furniture and other items available at discounted rates. From dining room sets to bed frames to living room furniture, they usually have it all.
You might notice insignificant damage on some items, such as minor nicks or dents and scratches. But they are usually hardly noticeable, and that’s primarily why these items are discounted a great deal. So, if you are okay with that, it’s a great option to furnish your rental on a budget.
Know When to Buy
You know how winter clothing goes on sale across all clothing stores in January after the winter holidays? Similarly, furniture items are also often available at discounted rates during a certain time of the year when furniture manufacturers and retailers are making room for new arrivals.
July is an excellent time to purchase furniture and other items for your rental because you are likely to come across impressive discounts during this time.
It obviously differs from one store to other, but it’s best to simply ask the manager of your go-to or local stores to find out when exactly they are expecting their new stock.
If you get lucky, you might be able to get your hands on furniture articles at reasonable prices that would otherwise be very expensive during peak seasons.
Keep the Furnishing Simple
As a renter, it’s probably best to stick to the simple furniture and decorative elements, especially when you are looking to furnish your rental on a budget.
If you are on the hunt for unique furniture items like a fancy ottoman or suede couch, you are probably going to end up spending more than your allotted budget. Things like these are already expensive, and since their supply is generally low, retailers end up raising the prices.
So instead, look for simple and low-key furniture articles that aren’t likely to cost a lot. This way, you can make your rental look nice and colorful without having to break the bank.
Figure Out the Essentials
Most of us often end up buying household items that we don’t even need.
When sprucing up your rental, a good strategy is to first determine what your essentials are – this would typically include a bed, television, a couch, a couple of chairs, a small table, and many others.
The idea here is to narrow down your list of things you need to furnish your rental so that you don’t end up overspending on things you might not even need.
Key Takeaway
Furnishing a living space doesn’t mean that you have to opt for brands, big names, and delicate items. You can still go for simple, basic furniture items and decorative accessories and still make the place look nice and comfortable.
If you are looking to furnish your rental on a budget, it is essential that you pick and choose and figure out what you need the most. Once that’s done, you have so many options such as rented furniture, thrift stores, garage sales, and factory outlets from where you can easily get what you need.
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