With security deposits, signing fees, and first month’s rent, moving expenses can add up quickly. One way to cut down on moving costs is to furnish your apartment secondhand. You can fill your apartment with many beautiful pieces that are not necessarily new, but are new to you! Here are some tips to furnish your apartment secondhand.
Focus on the essentials first
When you first move, you will need to have certain essential pieces of furniture. For example, a bed, a dining set (even a small one), and a couch (or other seating). You don’t want to be sleeping, eating, and relaxing on the floor! That’s why you should focus on finding these pieces of furniture first. Then, you can take your time to browse for other pieces of furniture that are not necessarily “essential”, but that match your taste. In other words, you should prioritize your search for secondhand furniture. Starting with the essentials, and then taking your time for other pieces, is a good strategy for furnishing your apartment secondhand.
Ask people you know
A great place to start looking for secondhand furniture is to ask people you know. You never know if your grandma, friend, or neighbor (or someone they know) wants to get rid of a piece of furniture that you could use. Use your social circle to try to score some pieces of furniture. If it comes from a close family member or a close friend, you might even be able to get it free of charge. Clearly, asking your friends if they have any furniture they no longer need is the perfect way to start furnishing your apartment secondhand.
Upcycle something you already own
Just as people say to “shop in your own closet”, you can “shop in your own home” as you furnish your apartment secondhand. What I mean by this is you can use a piece of furniture you already own, but you can upcycle it to create something new. For example, you can sand and paint an old nightstand to make it look brand new. If you have a nice set of dining chairs, you can reupholster them to give them a completely new look to match the color scheme of your apartment. Not only is this way cheaper than buying a new piece of furniture (even a secondhand one), but it is also a good excuse to take on a fun DIY project! Refurbishing a piece of furniture you already own is another way to furnish your apartment secondhand.
Check out local yard or garage sales
If you are looking to furnish your apartment at a time of year when many people are moving (for example, when the school year ends), you can check out local yard or garage sales. There are likely many yard sales going on during that time of year, so you will probably be able to visit multiple places. Often, yard sales have items priced cheaply, since the sellers simply want to get rid of the items. This makes a yard sale the perfect place to find secondhand furniture at a low price. If you want to furnish your apartment secondhand, consider visiting local yard or garage sales.
Search online
Another great option for furnishing your apartment secondhand is to search online for pieces. There are many websites where sellers can directly list items (like Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace). Just like a yard sale, you might be able to find some items at good prices because the sellers want to get rid of the items. You might need to sift through listings for a while to find a piece that fits your style, because there will be many listings. Of course, be aware that unless the seller is willing to ship the item to you, you will need to meet up with them in person. You should meet in a public place, and you should bring someone with you to this meeting (not only for safety, but they can also help you move the item into your car). As long as you are careful when you meet up with the seller, searching online is another way to find secondhand furniture for your apartment.
Visit consignment shops
Finally, you can visit consignment shops to find secondhand pieces for your apartment. Consignment shops have many one of a kind pieces that you can get for excellent prices. You can choose to go to a chain store like Goodwill, or a smaller local store. You can even choose to go to a flea market. Either way, you are likely to find many good options there. Definitely, you should visit consignment shops and flea markets to furnish your apartment secondhand.
If you want to save money as you move, you should consider furnishing your apartment secondhand. There are many places you can visit to find unique pieces at excellent prices. You won’t spend a ton of money and your apartment will be one of a kind!
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