How To Deck Out Your New Place For Cheap

When you’re thinking about moving out, you’re probably thinking about getting your money together for stuff like your bond or your first couple weeks’ rent. But beware! A hidden expense is lurking in the shadows - and its name is furniture! But don’t panic, ‘cause we have a few tried-and-tested tips to get your new empty space feeling like a home in not time, while not blowing your budget out:

Op shops

If you’re looking for something in sellable condition, this should really be your first point of call. You can virtually find all the stuff you’d need to stock a home at a larger op-shop - think couches, glassware, tables, desk and more! It won’t necessarily look super modern, but I’ll let you in on a secret - what it lacks in Scandinavian design expertise, it’ll make up for in durability, personality and good value. If you really want to go crazy with it, you could even take an old couch and buy some new coverings, or buy a table and paint it whatever colour you like. You’re already doing a great thing by giving to charity while also giving a piece of perfectly good furniture a new life.

Online marketplaces

No thrifty furniture acquisition guide would be complete without a mention to the wondrous world of online marketplaces. First of all, remember not to just limit yourself to Facebook marketplace! While it is convenient, it’s also popular, which means that if you’re looking for a good deal or some hidden gems, it might be worth rustling through sites like Gumtree, and eBay. I’ve even seen some Instagram pages or Depop accounts selling some furnishings on the side, so don’t write those off either.
Whether you’re buying or selling online, some principles always hold true. If it seems too good to be true - it probably is. Also, while cash is often king on Marketplace, using a platform with a quality guarantee is a great insurance against getting ripped off.

Street bounty & council cleanups

If you happen to live in the ‘burbs or the city, then you’d be familiar with the council cleanup piles. As we’re sure you know, there’s usually a lot of crud out there which shouldn’t be brought back home, but I’ve snagged some pretty good stuff by being in the right place at the right time. Council pickups are either booked by individual households or there’s a designated day for the neighbourhood to put their stuff out. If it’s the former you’ll just have to wait for a lucky day, but if it’s the latter, you’re in for an absolute treat.
Some suburbs even have local ‘street bounty’ Facebook groups where they post items they’re giving away or when they see stuff that could go to a great home that isn’t theirs. For bonus points, take a trip out to the fancier areas of town! It really brings meaning to the phrase ‘one person’s trash is another person’s treasure’.

Buying not-quite-brand new

Some stores offer discounts on items that have been returned or arrived at the store with some superficial damage like dings or scratches. If you’re looking for furniture, stores such as IKEA have introduced an ‘as-is’ scheme which sells discontinued items, gently used and ex-showroom displays, as well as pre-loved products returned through the Buy Back service. If you’re after big appliances, keep an eye out for businesses with words such as ‘2nds’ or ‘bargain’ in the title and you might strike gold.

The tip

Okay hear me out - you’d be surprised at the kinds of stuff people are just willing to chuck out rather than list online or arrange for a council pickup. I have mates who have picked up table and chair sets, fully working bikes and loads more at their local tip. You could be the one to save a perfectly good couch from landfill for only a few dollars and a van.

Plus, consider this - if you’re moving into your first sharehouse, how nice do you really want your furniture to be? When you’re young, spills and stains are just going to happen, and having something that’s a little preloved already means that you don’t have to freak out if some butter chicken falls off your fork. An old couch is basically a rite of passage for anyone moving somewhere with a balcony or a backyard!

You’re probably reading this article because you’re trying to figure out if you can afford moving places, or even moving out for the first time - am I right? If you’re trying to get your head around how to manage your cash while you’re living independently, make sure you check out our free short course FinLit! We have a whole unit where we break down the costs of living out of home, and tips on how to keep those costs low.

This content is created by Year13 and sponsored by Westpac.