Buying an apartment is an exciting milestone. Whether you are a recent college graduate or have been working full time to afford your own space, an apartment is a true step towards adulting and will test how you live on your own and handle budgeting. If you recently started renting an apartment or like to change up decor often, then you may be wondering, how to furnish an apartment on a budget while also paying for rent, groceries, utilities, and other necessary items. To help you during this transition, Bel is here to offer some tips to amp up your apartment and make it feel like home without overspending.
1. Measure Your Apartment Layout
The first thing you should do before looking for furniture is to take measurements of your apartment. Knowing the measurements of the rooms in your apartment, or the studio’s floor plan will help you better understand how the furniture will look in your apartment. This will ensure that you are getting properly sized furniture. If this step is missed, you risk getting a piece of furniture that is either too large or small for its intended area or can potentially mess with the overall layout and ambiance of the room.
2. Get Multipurpose Furniture
Multipurpose furniture is a great option for someone on a tight budget. For example, if you do not want to spend a good portion of your money on a bed you won’t use, then look for a well-made futon, daybed, or sofa sleeper. Since these are multipurpose pieces, they can easily be used as a couch during the day, when guests come over or turned into a bed when you are ready to go to sleep. This is especially helpful for people who live in studio apartments since it will make the most out of the existing floor plan. For the living space, ottomans or coffee tables that have storage will keep you from purchasing extra shelving. Extendable tables that can be used for a breakfast or dining table will also be useful for space purposes and will reduce having to buy two tables.
3. Shop During the Sale Season
If there is a particular piece of furniture you like that is more expensive than what you budgeted for, you can either prioritize some of the other items on your list or you can wait until there’s a sale. Wishlist items such as quality dining room sets, sturdy bed frames or entertainment worthy TV stands are typically priced better during sales, especially during an overstock sale. This is where you will find the most savings since there is an abundance of inventory that a furniture store needs to sell off to create space for new items. Although you can buy cheap kitchen sets online, you can switch them out for a higher quality set during the sale season or keep the nicer set for when guests come over or to be used during special occasions.
4. Choose Low Price Accessories
It’s the little things that turn a space into a home. Since you are most likely to buy neutral-colored furniture because it is less expensive, use colorful and patterned throw pillows to brighten up a room. Not only are throw pillows great for decorating, but they can also be used for additional head, neck, or back support. To liven up the walls in your apartment, put up some framed art and use wall shelving to organize your books or to display treasured items. Another way to make your apartment feel like home is to add a rug. This will cover up some of the hardwood floorings and make your space cozier. Shower curtains, while necessary for bathrooms without shower doors, can also be used to tie in the color of bath towels or add a pattern that complements the space. Also, don’t forget to buy some lamps for the living room and bedrooms if you don’t already have light fixtures.
Budget like a Pro
Now that you know how to furnish an apartment on a budget, no need to hire a professional interior designer. Let your creativity flow, and if you are a visual person, check online sites or visit a Bel Showroom location for some decor inspiration. We offer finely crafted furniture for a variety of layouts and styles at affordable prices that will fit anyone’s budget. Check out our website today or for more furniture tips, check out our other blogs for more.
