When it comes to kitting out our homes, furniture is an unavoidable expense. However, you shouldn’t have to take out a loan just to provide your new home with a bed and sofa. Here are some ways to not get fleeced on furniture.
Go second-hand
You can often get second-hand furniture for the same quality as brand new appliances, but at a fraction of the cost. Flea markets and rummage sales are some of the prime places to get cheap furniture. Second-hand sites such as Preloved and Gumtree can also be worth a look, but make sure to get as much information on the quality from the buyer before committing through photos and descriptions. If you can see and touch the furniture before buying, you’re less likely to be fleeced – something that local social media buy and sell pages are good for. You should generally avoid mattresses and upholstery – these can accumulate dirt and bacteria – but bed frames, tables, cupboards, desks and any other wooden/metal furniture are generally fine.
Avoid brands
Whilst the likes IKEA can sometimes provide a great deal, you’re almost always more likely to pay more. Sales can often be deceiving, with many big retailers deliberately charging high to begin with. Retailers may also often try to throw in extras that may seem like a deal, but could actually cost you more. These including charging extra for warranty, throwing in another piece of furniture at half price or only offering a discount if you buy something else on top.
Test your DIY skills
If you’re good with your hands, why not build and design your own furniture? It’s often cheaper, plus you have the option to customise the furniture to fit your space. Most furniture from tables to shelving units is pretty basic when you think about it, and complex parts such as drawer slides and hinges are easy to find on the web. Such a project could be very rewarding, and you can get family members easily involved to speed up the process, as well as having some bonding time.
Look out for coupons and discounts
If you’ve just moved house or bought your first property, there’ll be lots of opportunities to get coupons and discounts. Your local post office may send you a moving kit once you’ve filled out your change of address form and some estate agents may email coupons over as gesture of good will. There are also many sites online that offer coupons and discount gift cards. Combine these with a sale and you can save some money.
Get creative
There are all manner of ways to get creative with furniture and save costs. Instead of buying a spare bed for guests you could opt for an inflatable mattress, whilst beanbags can make easy seating solutions – especially for kids. You may be able to find a small bookcase or bedside cabinet that can serve as a cheap TV stand, or a dual purpose item such as a sofa-bed or bed with storage beneath it.