Cheaply and Sustainably Furnishing Your Apartment

Authored by: HBradstreet28

If you move a lot, or you are just moving into your first apartment, you know how expensive it can be to furnish your new home. Along with the expense, purchasing new furniture every time you move isn’t great for the environment. I am what you might call a nomad-I move frequently, and I move long distances. I don’t take a lot of things with me from place to place, so i’ve become a bit of an expert on furnishing my place without spending a lot of money, while upcycling and reusing pre-owned goods. Here are a few things that I’ve learned, and some of the resources you can take advantage of.

Friends and Family

One of the easiest ways to pick up some second-hand furniture is through friends and family members. Ask your loved ones if there’s anything they need to get rid of, and you’ll likely procure a piece or two. This is especially effective if they themselves are moving. I currently have a living room chair and several pieces of cookware that a good friend gave me when she moved out of state. Besides the exchange of furniture being mutually beneficial, you might find yourself with a really unique or sentimental piece of family history that your loved one has no use or room for.

Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace

One of my favorite places to get cheap or free furniture is Craigslist. I once furnished a whole apartment in Michigan with just Craigslist finds, and you never would have known. You can find high-quality, durable pieces on this website. Some people may be wary of meeting strangers through this site. If this is a concern of yours, people usually don’t have a problem meeting you in a public place, or delivering to you. I can say that in my extensive experience, I’ve dealt with normal, lovely people almost exclusively.

Facebook Marketplace is another good online resource for cheap furniture. One benefit of using these sites to find your next couch or kitchen table is that you have the opportunity to meet people in your new town. Also, don’t be afraid to bargain with the owner of the item. Most people expect this as part of the exchange, and you can usually get things for less than the asking price. Another benefit of buying items on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace is that, not being too attached to the furniture, you can either give it away, or sell it. Usually you can sell it for the same price, or even more, than what you paid for it!

Reclaiming Discarded Furniture

Do you ever see a chair or table on the side of the road or near a dumpster that looks perfectly usable? It probably is! You might be apprehensive about this option, but it never hurts to check something out. Obviously, if it’s badly damaged, stained, or smells bad, leave it alone! But, if it seems functional and clean, disinfect it, take it home, and utilize it. You can restore the item to fit your decor by sanding, painting, or decoupaging it. Recently, I was taking the garbage out to my apartment’s dumpster, and I noticed a decent-looking swivel chair and small desk sitting about ten feet from the dumpster. I disinfected them and hauled them back to my apartment, and I’m using them as I write this article! When I move out of this apartment, I’ll post the desk and chair for free on Craigslist.

Renting a Furnished Apartment

In 2014, I had the good fortune to be able to move to Maui with my friend Matthew. Whenever I tell people this, they usually respond with, “Isn’t it really expensive to live there?” Well, yes, it’s more expensive than a lot of places, but we were able to rent a 2-bedroom, fully-furnished ohana (house that’s divided into two or more living quarters) for a very reasonable $1400 a month. The ohana came with all necessary furniture, linens, and kitchen utensils. We even had an outdoor shower and our own small backyard where we grew vegetables. This may sound unrealistic, but since Maui is highly transient, as well as being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, people move here with few belongings. Thus, furnished apartments are cheaper and more readily available. If you happen to move to a more transient or remote location, a furnished apartment may be the right fit for you.

Bonus Tip: Thrift Stores

Thrift Stores are such a widely-known topic that it’s unnecessary to devote a section to them, but there is one thing that you might not know about them. Most thrift stores have a color-coded sticker system that they use to denote a sale or certain percentage off of items. So when you go to a thrift store, check to see if the piece you want has one of these stickers, then come back on the day it’s on sale. Larger ticket items are the best ones to apply this tip to-something you might be unable to afford may be within your price range on a different day.

So those are some of the best ways I’ve learned to sustainably and cheaply decorate your new living space. Remember to always disinfect any new item you bring into your home, and when you’re done with it make sure to utilize one of the methods above to pass it on to the next person rather than throwing it away. Happy furniture hunting!