It is easy to get carried away when trying to set up your first home. With inspiration all around on television, Pinterest, home design blogs, and everywhere you go, it is easy to think that if your home isn’t perfect, then you are doing a bad job. But setting up a TV-ready home is expensive, and out of budget for most new home-buyers and renters. If you have a small budget, you can save yourself a lot of time, effort and money by following these four tips:
Don’t waste a lot of money on expensive furniture
New furniture is expensive. You can spend over $3,000 just on one sofa. When the budget is small, spending money on new furniture is not a good idea. Instead, focus on buying serviceable, second-hand pieces that you can replace one at a time later. The chances are, you will want something that looks different 10 years down the line anyway, but if you have spend thousands of dollars on your furniture, you are stuck with it until it breaks. Save your money for more important things and buy classic, inexpensive furniture pieces to start.
Accept free stuff
If someone offers you something free when you are building your first home, don’t turn it down. Even if the item is worn or an ugly color, you can probably refresh it for much less than the cost of new furniture. It is amazing what some paint and polish will do for any furniture, or what you can do simply be recovering the upholstery on a chair. Your budget will thank you, and as you get more money down the road, you can slowly work on replacing the pieces that you really hate. Who knows, you may even end up falling in love with your free furniture.
Invest in a good mattress
Knowing when to save and when to splurge is a must when building a new home. Your mattress is the best place to invest your money in a new home. A mattress can be the key to a good night’s sleep or a terrible one. A luxury mattress, such as a foam mattress, can help you get the rest you need and enjoy the time spent in your new home. Look for sales to save on the cost of your mattress, but remember that investing in a mattress can benefit your health and overall happiness.
Take advantage of the low cost of paint
Paint is cheap, and it is one of the easiest ways to make a home look nice. Today’s trends feature neutral walls with pops of color in accessories and furniture. This makes it even easier to make your eclectic furniture work for you. Don’t be afraid to try painting new items. You can add painted legs to furniture; try painting the surface of another piece of furniture, or adding a painted accent wall, if desired.
If you follow these tips, your home will look nice and your budget will thank you. You will not ruin your home or budget by implementing these simple tips. Always remember to have fun and don’t be afraid to try something new.