| If you're furnishing your first home, you may not | | | | by incorporating storage when you can. Here are |
| have a ton of money to spend, especially on large | | | | some furniture storage ideas when you're on a |
| pieces of furniture. Therefore, when you do purchase | | | | budget: |
| or find pieces, they may not be the best quality or | | | | - Look for ottomans or coffee tables that have a |
| match the style you'd like for your home. How can | | | | hinged top with storage underneath. You can get |
| you make the most out of cheap furniture? Follow | | | | creative here - for example, an old trunk from a flea |
| the tips in this article to make sure that your budget | | | | market might make a great piece for your living |
| doesn't limit your design aesthetic - at least, not too | | | | room. |
| much. | | | | - Instead of purchasing a hutch or entertainment |
| What to Purchase | | | | piece, choose floating shelves. They're a lot cheaper, |
| First, you need to determine exactly how to spend | | | | will give you just as much storage, and are a fraction |
| the little money you do have. There are certain items | | | | of the cost. |
| that every home needs, such as a bed and | | | | - Use bookcases. You can find inexpensive wooden |
| somewhere to sit. There are also items that are nice | | | | bookcases just about everywhere - garage sales, |
| to have, but you can do without if absolutely | | | | outlet stores, consignment shops, etc. - and though |
| necessary, such as a dining room set. Here are some | | | | they are very cheap, they an serve beautifully as |
| tips for making the most of your budget: | | | | storage pieces for just about anything. Attach some |
| - You should maximize your money as much as | | | | doors or a curtain and you have a wardrobe for your |
| possible. For example, if two kitchen sets cost the | | | | bedroom. Add some plate racks and you have a |
| same amount, but one comes with four chairs and | | | | china cabinet for your dining room. Of course, you |
| the other comes with six, get the set with six. Even | | | | can use them for books, too - just don't be afraid to |
| if you don't have space for the other two chairs, you | | | | use your imagination. |
| can use them in another room or even sell them for | | | | Styling an Outdated Piece |
| some extra cash. | | | | If all the furniture pieces you have are |
| - Prioritize. You need a place to sit before you need a | | | | hand-me-down items from your great-grandmother, |
| TV to sit and watch and you need a bed to sleep in | | | | they probably don't fit well with current trends. Your |
| before you need patio furniture to enjoy a porch or | | | | new home can be in style, though, with just a little |
| deck. | | | | tweaking to these pieces, believe it or not. |
| - Choose classic pieces that never go out of style. | | | | - Design a room with a funky retro feel. Retro can |
| Even if you plan on purchasing better pieces in a year | | | | be in style when done properly. Purchase some |
| or two, classically styled pieces that aren't strange | | | | inexpensive accent pieces to decorate the room with |
| colors or weird designs will be easier to sell. | | | | a feel that makes the pieces seem like they're |
| Using Color | | | | supposed to be from the past. |
| Want to make the most of the furniture you buy? | | | | - Change the color. A fresh coat of paint can |
| Consider the color. Our mind sees color long before | | | | drastically change the look and feel of a piece. That |
| we actually analyze the shape or design of a piece. | | | | olive green may scream 1970, but if it was a neutral |
| Follow these tips to use color with your pieces: | | | | tan instead, would that same piece seem so bad? |
| - Look for fabrics that are on sale and make | | | | - Build around it. If a piece of furniture is structurally |
| slipcovers. It's much cheaper than getting worn | | | | sound, you may not want to tear it apart to resign |
| pieces reupholstered, and you can inexpensively | | | | it, but you can build around it to change the overall |
| change them with your mood. | | | | design style. For example, take the outdated bed |
| - Go neutral with your furniture and bring in splashes | | | | frame and enclose the headboard in cheap plywood. |
| of bright color with accessories. The result isn't | | | | To create a sleek, basic look. Repurposing pieces is |
| boring, but rather, it is smart. Brightly-color pieces are | | | | easy, even if you are a woodworking beginner. |
| hard to sell and go out of style fairly quickly in most | | | | When it is all said a done, the cheap furniture you |
| cases. | | | | purchase today may actually fit well in you home for |
| - If you hate the color of a piece, but it is | | | | decades to come. Just because something is |
| significantly less expensive than the other options, | | | | inexpensive doesn't mean that you'll hate it or that |
| buy it anyway. If it doesn't grow on you, use some | | | | guests will be able to guess that your budget was so |
| paint, fabric or stain to change the look of the piece. | | | | small. If you use the tips in this article, you should be |
| Storage | | | | able to furnish your home on a budget, getting the |
| The best pieces of furniture will have double | | | | most miles out of the pieces you do purchase. |
| purposes. Always get the most out of your pieces | | | | |