Like many other aspects of your life, Furnishing your apartment can often be an expensive undertaking. However, there are dozens of ways to furnish your space without breaking the bank, and you don’t need to live with sparsely-decorated walls for months on end. Thankfully, various creative approaches can help you get to a good start without breaking the bank.
1. Don’t Overlook Thrift Stores
Thrift stores can offer an excellent source of furniture. Not only are these items often cheap, but they’re also usually in perfect condition and very stylish. In particular, look for large dining tables, bedroom sets, and bookcases. Check out the store’s selection of knickknacks, glassware, and other collectibles; these sorts of items can add some flair to your apartment.
2. Make Your Decorations
Don’t overlook the potential for DIY projects to help you save money on your apartment’s decorations. This is a great way to bring your personal touch to decorating your new home. For example, consider painting pictures or creating sculptures from whatever materials you have on hand; then, hang them on the walls for added flair. You can also create exciting candles and beautiful scents using items you may already have around the house.
3. Buy Big Items First
While it might be tempting to go ahead and buy the smaller items for your apartment, it’s often best to wait until you’ve already purchased a few larger items first. For example, if you’re in the market for a new couch or an entertainment center, hold off on buying smaller items (like lamps and bookcases) until you’ve got those in place. In this way, your apartment will have a sense of unity because each room will flow into the next one.
4. Avoid Buying Specialty Items
The specialty items that you may find in stores are often quite expensive. For example, a simple set of pots and pans can cost well over $100, while the same amount of money might only buy you a few high-end decorations. In this case, it’s best to stick with standard brands sold at big department stores. Sure, these items may not be as flashy or fancy as the specialty items, but they’ll save you a lot of money in the long run.
5. Set A Budget
If you don’t already have a budget in place, setting one is essential to help make sure that your apartment isn’t excessively decorated or cluttered with unnecessary items. In this case, set aside a certain amount of money for your apartment’s decoration. Then, you can budget out how much you’ll spend each month on items like furniture and decorations and stick to that budget. By doing this, you won’t feel obligated to pay large amounts of money on unnecessary things sitting in your apartment, but you’ll also be able to find the items as you go along.
6. Think Outside The Box
Decorating your apartment doesn’t have to cost a lot. For example, think outside the box and consider alternative methods to create a distinct look. For example, you can create a faux brick wall by simply stacking up old books with patterned covers (like vintage books). Plus, these kinds of decorations can be quite charming as well.
7. Don’t Buy What You Can Make
There are things you can make for your home that will help you stay within your budget and still have an exceptionally-decorated apartment. For example, consider making candles or scented potpourri; these items are easy to craft, and you’ll have them for months on end. Plus, you can customize them in a myriad of ways to keep your apartment from looking repetitive.
8. Stock Up On Simple Items
Just because your apartment may have thousands of dollars worth of furniture, that doesn’t mean that you should go out and buy all new stuff to make your home feel like a great place to be. You can use the same items in different ways for years and still provide a beautiful atmosphere for visitors. For example, consider putting various wooden chairs and couches around the apartment’s living room area; then, scatter pillows over their surfaces for a highly comfortable look.
9. Alter Your Furniture For Added Fun
You can add flair to your apartment by simply adjusting how you use your existing furniture. For example, if you have a couch that’s too large for your living room, make use of it as a place for guests to sit. Add a lamp nearby to provide illumination, and place a box of tissue in the center of the couch so that people can catch their breath.
In conclusion, your apartment’s decorations shouldn’t be a source of stress, especially if you’re on a budget. All sorts of creative solutions can help you make your Harrisonburg VA student apartments feel like an incredibly stylish place to be without breaking the bank. With these tips in mind, you’ll have no trouble decorating your apartment for less.
Warren James is the lead editor for Diving Daily. Warren has written for many publications including the New York Daily News, Vanity Fair and Yahoo. Warren is based in New York city and covers issues affecting local communities. In addition to following the day-to-day life of the Big Apple, Warren also has a passion for martial arts.