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How To Furnish Your Home on a Budget
Going out of budget is easy when adding decor and furnishings to your living spaces. It’s important to be realistic about the expenses of each room and what you can afford, whether you're outfitting a new home or refreshing your space. Let us help you create a budget and determine what you should expect to spend on furnishing each room of your house.
Set Realistic Expectations
As the costs of your home project pile up, it’s easy to overwhelm your budget. Setting realistic expectations before you begin alleviates stress as you transform your home.
1.
Determine how much money you feel comfortable spending
Before you start purchasing items, the first step is to set a firm budget. The last thing you want is to break the bank. Look at your expenses and how much money you have saved, and set expectations for how much you can spend. It’s recommended to save five to 15 percent of the value of your home for furnishing.
Be firm with yourself, or put your furniture money into a separate account so you are not tempted to use more. This helps you decide what is essential and what is not when furnishing your home.
Be firm with yourself, or put your furniture money into a separate account so you are not tempted to use more. This helps you decide what is essential and what is not when furnishing your home.
2.
Set realistic expectations about what furniture pieces you can include
Start with your largest rooms and consider the foundational pieces you must have. These pieces usually include sectionals or sofas, dining tables, and bedroom furniture. Large furniture pieces have the highest price tags, so choose only the pieces you need.
3.
Plan a decorating budget
Once you decide which foundational pieces you need, start allocating a portion of the budget toward accessories, accents, and decor. Decorative accents are crucial when it comes to infusing a home with style and aesthetics.
4
Create a Wishlist
Now that you have a firm budget, it’s time to start shopping and collecting the pieces. List everything you need per room without drifting too far into the ‘want’ territory. Prioritize your needs first to stay on track with your budget. Once you have everything in one place, you know how much extra budget you can spend on your wants.
Tips for Staying on Budget
There are a few simple steps you can take to help stay on budget. Having a plan for your shopping journey and investigating prices ensures you get the best prices. Check out our tips below for more information.
1.
Check for budget options
While that walnut hardwood table is stunning, the price tag may be out of budget. Look at budget-friendly options when it comes to choosing big-ticket items. High-quality looks and styles are available in pretty much every price range. When it comes to large spends, filter your furniture search by price.
2.
Shop for furniture online
You can find some of the best deals and make easy price comparisons online. If you’ve been eyeing a particular piece, shop around and see if you can find a version that is a little more affordable. On furniture.com, you can use our price comparison tool to compare your favorite items.
3.
Keep an eye out for sales
Some of the best home furnishing deals come around the holidays. Once you’ve created your wish list, let them stay in your cart to see if the price decreases or if you get a discount code. If you can wait for the holiday season, wait for sales for the best savings.
4
Choose quality over quantity
While it can be tempting to choose the lowest-priced options available, it’s always better to select a few quality pieces that stand the test of time in the long run. Make quality purchases over quantity when it comes to important pieces, such as your bed or mattress.
Furniture Shopping on a Budget: Average Cost Per Room
The typical buyer spends about $8,000 on furniture for their new home, but this statistic varies depending on your needs and taste. Follow along as we break down the average cost per room of the house.
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Living rooms: $2,200 or 25% of your budget
In the living room, the major furnishings you need are a sofa or sectional, which are sold at an average of $1000. From there, add in your other essentials, such as a coffee table, entertainment system, end tables, a rug, and decor.
Shop living rooms
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Dining rooms: $1,400 or 15% of your budget
Your dining set is one of the most expensive purchases for your new space, averaging a little over $1100 for a table and chair set. However, many different styles, materials, and types of tables can meet your budget. Don’t forget any other extra storage needs you have as well.
Shop dining rooms
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Bedrooms: $3,500 or 40% of your budget
Your bedroom furniture might be the most extensive purchase for your home, as there is a lot to furnish. The bed itself needs a mattress, bed frame, and sheets. While prices range drastically, you can expect to spend $500-$2500 for your bedroom sets. From there, you will also need your other accessories, such as a dresser or nightstand.
Shop bedrooms
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Outdoor/Patio: $900 or 10% of your budget
The extent to which you decorate your outdoor spaces has an impact on your budget. If you have a small balcony and need a couple of chairs and decor, expect to spend only a couple hundred dollars. If you have a large space in need of big furniture pieces, your budget needs to be larger. For a budget space, settle on a few small pieces for now.
Shop outdoor & patio
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General Decor Budget: $500 or 5% of your budget
When adding the finishing touches, allocate a fair amount of money to make your space feel like a home. From curtains over the window to wall art and decorative plants, keep a few hundred available.
Shop decor
Stay on Budget With Furniture.com
No matter your budget, furniture.com helps you find quality, affordable pieces. Please browse our selection of budget furniture from the comfort of your home. Furniture.com is home to dozens of your favorite retailers, making furniture shopping easier than it’s ever been.
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