interiors
You’ve finally done it - met a huge life milestone and bought your first home. Then, it hits you.
Few things in life are as daunting as decorating your first home. With so many options available and so many decisions to make, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. This is because there is likely to be a lot of space you’ll need to fill. But moving into a new home can actually be a beautiful, exciting new chapter. By conceptualizing the atmosphere you want in your new space, furnishing a new home can become a happy experience. We have compiled a few tips for furnishing your new home without breaking the bank.
Size matters: The first step when you have to furnish a house from scratch is to take the measurements and carefully examine the space that you have available. To get a better idea of how your furniture will fit before you move into your space, interior design apps are a great help. Apps such as Planner 5D can be easily downloaded to your iPhone. You can then size and scale furniture pieces along with the size of the room. This will help you get a feel for how things will look.
Be careful with cash: One way to make sure you stick to the essentials is to make a note of your budget and stick to it! Figure out how much you can spend. It’s a good idea to know how much money you have to actually spend on furniture before you set your heart on a sofa and dining set that is way out of your budget. If you have any leftover cash, you can then buy those extra pieces on your wish list without any guilt as all the important pieces have been covered.
Start with the basics: As a rule of thumb for interior decoration, it is best to start with the basics. Taking up carpeting or painting the walls are much easier to do before any furniture is brought into the house.
Prioritise your home shopping: Once the basic interior changes have been made, it’s time to start choosing furniture. If you can’t afford to decorate the whole place at once, pick the room where you spend most of your time and make that your priority. Tackle the most important rooms first. The living room and the bedroom are two places you likely spend the most time in, so these are good rooms to prioritise.
Invest in key pieces of furniture: A good quality bed, sofa and dining table will provide comfort and seating for your family for years to come. So if you can afford it, it’s a very smart move to spend more on these staple pieces for your new home. A sofa is going to stay with you for a long time, so get a good one. Even if you think you’ll have it just temporarily, it’ll end up moving from the living room to the family room to the basement. So don’t skimp. The same holds true for a dining table. Choose neutral upholstery, like white, taupe or gray, for your investment pieces.
Bedroom: For the bedroom it is important to have the essentials such as the bed and the wardrobe, so these are probably your investment pieces. Some other key elements may be a rug, dresser, and nightstands. Choose a bedroom vibe before buying new pieces, so that you have a cohesive theme throughout the room. Focus on creating comfort and later you can focus on styling it and making it into your very own retreat zone.
Living room: In the living room, a couch or sofa is the centerpiece, so that’s the investment piece (and a good decor starting point). Consider size, comfort, and colour. Depending on your lifestyle, a big TV or entertainment centre may also be part of the equation. Some other key elements may be an area rug, coffee table, and art for the walls. You may also want to consider pillows, throws, and bookshelves.
Pick the accessories later: It can be tempting to go ahead and buy everything at once. However, this is one furniture buying mistake to avoid when furnishing your new home. It will also take away your styling focus from each room. Focus on your staple and investment pieces first, then all of the sleek accessories can be added later to give your room an even more homely touch.
Mix and match: Starting out with a blank canvas such as a new home doesn’t mean that you have to buy everything matching to coordinate your space. One great way to tie your room together is through your use of colour. One of the cheapest ways to furnish a house and make it look charming without a big budget is to add colour with cushions and small pillows. Pick an array of bright and bold cushions that add a lot of flair to your rooms. This trick can work in the living room and in bedrooms.
Go green: Greenery adds a lovely natural touch to any space, and it doesn’t cost much. When you are looking for ideas how to furnish a new home with little money, plants can be your allies. Place them in the corners of your living room or use them to create a welcoming setting at the entrance of your home.