You’ve just bought your first home: congratulations! Now that the stress of buying is out of the way, it’s time to express yourself and truly make it your own. And while decorating a new home can cost a pretty penny, that needn’t be cause for alarm. Luckily, there are lots of budget-friendly ways to decorate and furnish your new home without breaking the bank. We’ve listed a few below to save you having to do the research.
Stick To Your Budget
When furnishing a new home on a budget, it’s vitally important to stick to it. So, before you’ve even spent your first penny, sit down with a pen and paper and write out everything you think you’ll need, along with how much you’d like to spend. Then, divvy up that amount across different categories such as paint/wallpaper, furniture, appliances, windows, etc. That way, if you go over budget in one section, you can reduce the budget on another. It’s also good to research the cost of everything before you start shopping. You might be surprised at how much this will help to reduce overall costs.
Second-Hand Furniture
One of the best ways of furnishing a new home on a budget is by looking at second-hand furniture. We understand that you might want to have everything brand-new, but if you’re sticking to a budget, this might not be the most realistic policy. But that’s ok, because you can find some amazing deals at thrift stores, car boot sales, flea markets, and online marketplaces like Facebook or Gumtree. Charity shops are another great shout, with the added benefit of the proceeds going to a worthy cause. And if you’re really strapped for cash, you can find all sorts of pieces on Freecycle for free. That’s right, free!
Upcycling
If you already have your own furniture but it’s looking a bit worse for wear, you might be tempted to get rid. But let’s not be so hasty, because with a little creativity and know-how, you can give an old piece of furniture a new lease on life. Whether it’s by painting, upholstering, or otherwise, upcycling existing pieces can be a great way to keep your spending in check.
Do Your Own Painting
Hiring a professional painter has a lot of pros. They’ll do a good job quickly, you don’t have to worry about the cleanup and prep, and they will have all the necessary equipment. However, if you want to rein in the pennies, doing the job yourself will help keep you in budget. So, ask your friends or the new neighbours if they have a roller and some old rags sitting around and get to work. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.
DIY Shutters
If you’re looking for a DIY project to help with the cost to furnish a new home, fitting your own shutters can save you a bunch. By going down the DIY route, you’ll save upwards of 40% against other measure and install services on the price of window shutters. Plus, with our easy to follow guides, installing shutter blinds is a lot easier than you might think. And what’s more, they’re a much more energy efficient window dressing than curtains or blinds, helping to keep the heat in during the winter and the cold out during the summer. Win win!
If you would like to learn more about how shutters could be the perfect fit for your first home, please get in touch today. Send an email to [email protected] and one of our friendly team will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for reading.