Moving in to your first house, whether it is owned or rented, will always be exciting and fulfilling. The joy mainly emanates from the fact that you have achieved a major goal and you will be starting life anew.
However, a realization of the need to bring in a lot of things into your new home may suddenly dampen your mood, for it could spell big expenditures on your part. Trent Hamm, whose article appeared in U.S. News, suggests that instead of purchasing new ones, you may consider going to your local secondhand store or thrift shop. These shops will have many items that will help you set up your new abode. He listed these nine items to consider when buying secondhand stuff for your new place.
1. Silverware - Most secondhand stores offer a selection of silverware. It may not be a perfect matching silverware, but for sure you will have more than enough for your needs at an affordable price.
2. Dishes - Same with your silverwares, you may not be able to find the ideal match, but still, it will be better if you will be able to buy two or three partial sets for pennies, than buying a single matching set from a regular store.
3. Glasses and Cups - These are still parts of your household essentials which you can easily pick from a secondhand store. Again, it's likely that you will not find a matching set. Instead, you will have many inexpensive cups and glasses to fill up your cupboards.
4. Toaster or Toaster Oven - Both are commonly found at secondhand stores, in working condition. They make a valuable addition to your kitchen to help you with your food preparation.
5. Lamps - They abound at secondhand stores. All its varieties - clip, desk, floor or table lamps, are reasonably priced and easily found.
6. Dining Table - Simple dining tables are available at secondhand stores with matching simple and solid chairs. You can have an inexpensive starter set, then upgrade later when you have ample budget.
7. Side Tables - These tables can be unbelievably inexpensive and easy to find. They are available for below $10.
8. Bed Frame - While bed frames are rather expensive when bought at a furniture store, many varieties of metal and wooden bed frames are often offered at secondhand stores. Just remember that bed frames are purely functional and are meant to be covered with a mattress or other decorative materials, so you don't have to worry about its beauty.
9. Décor - They appear to be unusual items to buy secondhand, but many of its type, such as picture frames and wall hangings, can be found in secondhand stores. It only takes a little creativity to pick up a variety of décor items at discounted prices.
Lastly, Hamm recommends that certain types of used furniture should be bought only from a trusted source, as used ones, particularly for upholstered furniture and mattresses, can bring in bedbugs or other unwanted travellers to your freshly set up new home.
