| When you move into your first apartment, filling it is | | | | great deal. Sometimes used furniture needs a little |
| challenging, because you have to furnish everything | | | | rehab work. However, when a piece of furniture is |
| at once. Typically you need kitchen supplies, furniture, | | | | well constructed, you can refurbish it and bring it |
| linens and curtains. Then to top off the challenge, you | | | | back to new. |
| usually do not have much of a budget to work with. | | | | Where to Look |
| So when you are trying to find furniture and you are | | | | Look in your local 'Pennysaver' and newspaper for |
| on a tight budget, you can go a couple of different | | | | garage sales and furniture sales. Check bulletin boards |
| directions. | | | | in your travels around town. Look at Craigslist and |
| You can always go to a discount furniture store and | | | | see what people are getting rid of, and look in local |
| buy cheaply made furniture. It will not last long, but it | | | | thrift stores, which have an ever-changing inventory |
| is not expensive either. Your other choice is to find | | | | of used merchandise. |
| good, used pieces of furniture at auctions, thrift | | | | Buyer Beware |
| stores and garage sales. | | | | Always be ready to snap up a good deal. Know the |
| Shiny and New | | | | dimensions of the space that you are furnishing. |
| Finding a discount furniture store is pretty easy. It | | | | Carry a measuring tape with you, and get a good |
| seems like there is at least one in every city. You | | | | look at any piece of furniture before you commit to |
| can find stylish furniture that is very inexpensive, and | | | | buying it. Test out chairs and sofas and inspect for |
| it will look great in your space. However, if you fast | | | | broken frames and springs. Look at desks and |
| forward a couple of years, it will probably not hold up | | | | dressers to make sure that they are constructed |
| very well. So if you are not planning to keep the | | | | solidly. Take out a drawer and look at how it is |
| furniture for long, this is a plausible way to furnish a | | | | constructed, and this will give you a good indication |
| space cheaply. You may want to consider this option | | | | of the quality of the piece. Ask the owner if any |
| for pieces of furniture that do not get much use like | | | | repairs are necessary and find out if it has been in a |
| a side table or display shelves. | | | | pet free, smoke free environment. |
| Well Worn | | | | Rehab the Good Stuff |
| When you buy used furniture, frequently you can | | | | If you find a piece that you love, but it is in disrepair, |
| spend just a little money and get a really nice piece | | | | you may decide that it is worth your while to refinish |
| of furniture. Sometimes you find great deals at | | | | it. You can sand, strip, stain, varnish and paint and |
| garage sales where someone is just clearing out | | | | bring an old, worn piece of furniture back to its |
| extra stuff that is crowding their space. They are | | | | former glory. |
| happy to get a little extra money, and you get a | | | | |