Moving into your first home is such an exciting time- a chance to stand on your own two feet, experience real independence, and spend time decorating and making it look beautiful. Chances are you’ve spent years dreaming about this place, and whether you’ve found the perfect home for sale or rent, you might already have an idea of how you’d like it to look. The trouble is that when it comes round to actually doing it, everything is much more expensive than you realize. If you’re on a tight budget it can be frustrating as you’re keen to make it look the way you want now, and not have to wait for months! Thankfully there are ways around this, and it is possible to create a gorgeous home without breaking the bank. Here are some ideas!
Photo by Monica Silvestre
Buy things in the sale before you move
If you know you’re going to be moving in the future but not right away, start buying things early. There are lots of items you need for a house, so if you have somewhere to store them where you currently live you could spread the cost. If you buy things when they’re in the sale or on offer you’ll save money too, and by the time you move, you will have many of the things that you need. Consider cutlery, crockery, glasses and utensils for the kitchen. Bath towels, tea towels, and bedding. Bath mats, decorations, and other items are all relatively small and can be kept until you’re ready to move out. Write an extensive list of everything you need, then tick things off as you go. This saves you from forgetting what you’ve purchased over the weeks and months so you’re not accidentally buying things twice.
Ask friends and family
When you say you’re moving into your first place, chances are your friends and family will offer to help. It could be in the form of gifts or items they don’t need anymore, definitely utilize this help! Even things that might not be your exact style may be able to be upcycled or changed, and if you start a wishlist on a site like Amazon for items you need, generous loved ones might help you out.
Painting and decorating
Painting the home is one of the best ways to transform it. It can be hard work but it’s relatively inexpensive and makes such a difference. Consider using neutrals like white, light grey, or cream on the walls since these will give you a blank canvas and work well with anything else you put in the rooms. Before painting, put in the effort with the prep work. Sand down doors and skirting boards and paint them brilliant white. Fill in and sand any cracks and holes in walls, and completely remove old wallpaper. Take your time and you’ll get a fantastic finish.
Getting crafty and creative
From upcycling old furniture to making your own cushion covers and curtains using a sewing machine, there are plenty of innovative ways to get the look you want without spending a bomb. You could make changes to existing items or make your own from scratch, there are tons of fantastic ideas online to get you started. Not only is this satisfying to do but it saves you money and is good for the environment too as fewer things are getting wasted. If you can save an item from landfills and give it a new lease of life then that’s always going to be a good thing!
Search preloved bargains
The second hand is often the way to go when you first move into your own home. You can get some incredible bargains, and many things will be like new where people are just replacing them to change a color scheme or upgrade because they got bored. Buying larger items like sofas and kitchen appliances can save you a fortune compared with buying new, and in most cases, you’d never be able to tell. Search through sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. It might take time for something you like to show up, but keep checking every day and move fast if what you want appears.
How did you make your first home look beautiful on a budget?
