Creating your dream house isn't cheap. If you've ever browsed décor magazines and browsed online sites for furniture, you know that good-looking items often have the biggest price tags. But does luxurious furniture have to cost a fortune? It doesn't and you could decorate your home with stunning looking items even when you are shopping with a tight budget. Here's how to do it.
Learn to shop at the right time
Furniture prices can vary a lot. Therefore, the easiest and often the best way to shop on a budget is to simply learn when is the right time to find new furniture. This works the best if you aren't in a rush of course, as you might have to hold off your decorating plans until the best and most lucrative times are ahead of you.
Although you are probably aware of the most popular sales times, such as Black Friday and Boxing Day sales, there are other lucrative times for making findings. Out-of-the-box holidays include the Memorial Day and Independence Day, so check out your options on these days.
Furthermore, retailers tend to get new items in the spring. So, if you want to save a lot of money, then the best time to buy is right before the new collections hit the showrooms. For example, retailers will try to get rid of their stock in February and March, which can mean that they slash the prices on existing stock.
Look for special voucher codes and online campaigns as well. Buying online can often be cheaper than finding items in store. Popular designer brands like Wicker Paradise also offer online exclusives that could help you make great findings that fit your budget. Just remember to check the colors and carefully measure the size to ensure you don't end up with a dining table that doesn't fit your room.
Buy timeless items
If you have a limited budget, you want to focus on finding furniture that can last a long time. This means opting for timeless colors and designs. Don't pick the trend patterns for sofas, for example, as they can easily start looking out of place. Instead, find timeless and classic furniture from places like La Furniture. The furniture that should be classic and basic in colors and designs include tables, sofas, armchairs, bookshelves and TV-stands. You can always accessorize with lamps and fabrics, adding more contemporary feel to your rooms. Affordable accessories can be found online from retailers such as Home Decorators Collection.
Overall, a minimalist décor can be great for your budget, but also help you shop with luxury furniture stores like ARTeFAC. You don't want to cram up your rooms with items anyway - if you just focus on the essentials and opt for timeless pieces, you don't need to be decorating constantly or have a shopping list with 20 items on it. If the minimalistic style appeals to you, then find more ideas from décor blogs like The Cozy Minimalist.
Upscale your cheaper furniture
You could also shop for cheaper furniture from stores like Pier 1 Imports and Leekes, and simply update the look into something a bit more luxurious. There are plenty of ways you can turn a simple, affordable cabinet into something worthy of the kings.
You can update the pulls and the handles with a more luxurious design. Spare handles can be bought online at the Home Depot. You can also repaint the item, even if it's new to update the look! For example, color blocking can add luxury to your basic wardrobe from IKEA. If you have a cheap sofa, then just shop for luxury fabrics at Online Fabric Store and you instantly transform the cheaper item into something more fashionable and expensive, without actually having to spend a fortune. Instructions for these and other ideas for updating cheap furniture can be found from this Apartment Therapy blog post.
Consider used furniture
Finally, you don't have to buy new furniture in order to decorate your home in style. Sometimes you can find great designer items without the designer price tags. If you are looking for luxurious furniture on a budget, then it can be a good idea to check out sites like Ebay and Craigslist. Furthermore, you can also find furniture from sites such as AptDeco, which can even pick up your old pieces and sell them forward. We also like FlexShopper, which is perfect for big brands with flexible payment terms.
You can also find furniture swap apps that can be a fun way to change your décor without breaking the budget. If you want to get rid of a wardrobe, then list it on these apps and have someone offer you something they need to get rid of. This is a fun and cheap way of adding new stuff to your room and also clearing it up from unused clutter.
With the above tips in mind, you can find luxurious furniture on a budget. Remember to plan your décor beforehand and have an idea of what you want and what you are willing to pay. Keep on open mind and look around to find the best deals.
