Purchasing your first home, can be a stressful process for all parties involved, and chances are that even after your offer is accepted, the worries won’t stop there. After completion, you’ll then have to worry about other aspects that come with buying your first house, such as buying furniture, removal costs and decorating.
All of which you may have over-looked during the buying process, as you spent all your free time saving enough money for deposits, bills, and agency fees. If you’re unprepared, decorating and furnishing your new property can be an expensive process. Not to mention, you don’t want to risk losing more money or paying over the odds, especially if you already have a dream aesthetic in mind for your new home. With this in mind, we’ve created this handy guide aimed at first-time buyers looking to furnish their first home, full of tips and advice to save you time and money. Read on ahead for more information.
Make a List Before You Move In
First things first, when it comes to furnishing your new home, budgeting and planning are key. If at all possible, you should start thinking about budgeting and planning long before you complete on the sale of your property. Start by making a list of everything you’ll need and tick off items that you already have and ones that family members have given you, to avoid duplicates. We also recommend making a note of any measurements you might need, such as doorframes etc. as there’s nothing worse than buying an article of furniture only to realise it doesn’t fit in your new home!
After you’ve made your list, set your budget. Outline the maximum amount you can spend altogether and decide if you can allocate more of that budget. We’d always recommend spending more on quality furnishings, such as a bed, fitted wardrobes, chest of drawers, etc. – after all, these are items that will be used every day and could be taken with you, should you relocate in the future. You’ll want to allocate a little more money for these items, as quality is essential, and you’ll find that items of a higher calibre will last you longer. Currently, searching for a good quality wardrobe? Take a look at this range of fitted wardrobes from Bravo London. Their service is entirely bespoke, and they supply a range of unique products ideally suited for your new home.
Don’t Buy All of Your Furniture Brand New
When decorating and furnishing your first home, one of the most common misconceptions is that you need to buy every piece of furniture brand new, which is not the case. Help to save yourself money by resolving never to buy something at total market price, and always shop around and compare stores to guarantee that you can’t find the same item but cheaper elsewhere. We recommend starting by contacting friends/family or looking at online marketplaces and local charity shops. Ask peers and relations if they have any items for sale or anything that they’re looking to throw out which you could make use of; providing that it’s not in too bad of a condition, you can always upcycle it.
Online marketplaces such as eBay, Facebook, and Gumtree, are also beneficial for first-time buyers searching for good quality pieces of furniture for a reasonable price. Failing this, head to your local charity shop to see if they have any furnishings that could help with your interior decorating goals. Plus, most charity shop finds can be up-cycled with a coat of paint or reupholstered (the internet supplies lots of guides and tips for this!), which is sustainable and saves your budget.
Don’t Buy Everything at Once
We understand how exciting it is once you’ve purchased your dream home, and when everything is getting finalised, it can be tempting to rush out and make your additional purchases all at once. However, don’t let this excitement cloud your judgement because buying everything at once can be costly, and a mistake like this could leave you strapped for money further down the line.
We’re not telling you to sit crossed-legged in front of your T.V with some instant ramen for the next few months, far from it! We suggest starting with staple pieces first, such as your sofa, bed, and dining table. Focus on furnishing your new home with these pieces first, as they are the most important, and you will need them during your first few days of moving in. Once you’re settled, you can add any additional components later when you have a better idea of the space you have left to work with and start stylising your rooms to reflect your home decor vision. You can then see if you have any leftover budget and use it for accessories and other items to give your new space a more homely touch.
