If you’ve just graduated and are moving into your first post-college apartment, you’ll need at least some furniture to get started. For most people starting out, you probably don’t have unlimited funds to do so. Finding apartment necessities while staying on a budget can be totally manageable, if you know where to look.
We’ll get to stocking your kitchen in a future post, because that one has its own quirks. For now, let’s tackle how to find sofas, beds, tables, lamps, etc. for free, used, or otherwise affordable.
Get it for free
A growing number of websites and platforms encourage people to share items they no longer need, rather than tossing them in the trash. These sites provide a great start for filling your apartment. Depending on your neighborhood, some of these options will be more active than others. (Note: with all free sites, scammers are a possibility. If you are arranging pickups or drop-offs, use common sense precautions to ensure safety).
– Buy Nothing groups – local Buy Nothing groups exist to allow people to give away used or unused items for free. Buy Nothing groups are area-specific, by town or by neighborhood, and will require your street address when you apply to join. In the last month, members of my local Buy Nothing group have offered, bookshelves, lamps, board games, golf clubs, house plants, and an unopened bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume, among other things. These groups operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Once an item is claimed, the giver and receiver arrange a pickup–often contactless–via Facebook Messenger.
– NextDoor – NextDoor is a website, app, and online community built to connect people in a particular town or neighborhood. While NextDoor definitely has some issues to work through, especially when it comes to racism in many communities, it can also be a regular source of free offers.
– Freecycle – Freecycle has been around for a long time, and you can browse or search for items near you.
– Craigslist – depending on your location, Craigslist may also be a great source of free items, and all local Craigslist boards have a Free section. However, be careful to avoid common Craigslist scams.
- Other local sites – many communities have their own sharing groups that are separate from the national platforms. Ask around to see if there’s a local group near you.
– Ask friends or family. Sometimes all you need to do is tap into your existing network. Ask around to find out whether friends or family have an extra sofa, bed, microwave, etc. Many people are holding onto unused furniture until they find something good to do with it.
Get it used, cheap:
You probably won’t be able to find everything you need for free. But you can find plenty of inexpensive items and deals on pre-owned items. Here are some options:
- Thrift stores – Goodwill, Salvation Army, or a local thrift shop run by a church or nonprofit can provide opportunities for deals on used items. Many have furniture and household items for sale, not just clothes.
- Yard sales and estate sales – if you’re willing to get up early, yard sales can be great for finding things you need. It’s good to start with a list, though, or you can easily buy many fascinating things you don’t need.
- Facebook Marketplace – sellers often sell items at a discount, as they are trying to declutter their homes.
- Flea Markets – flea markets are often a mix of collectible dealers, artisans, and other sellers offering a variety of items, including furniture. Most flea markets occur regularly (weekly, or monthly) and may be easier to find than yard sales.
Get it new, but relatively inexpensive:
If you can’t find what you need for free or used, there are still plenty of ways to bargain shop. I’m listing just a few here. Most of the affordable furniture you’ll find in many of these stores will require some assembly on your part.
- Discount/Overstock stores – Depending on where you live, you may have a Big Lots, Bob’s Discount Furniture, or HomeGoods nearby. While their selection is not likely to match that of the nearest Pottery Barn, they can offer some great, inexpensive starter items, as well as furnishings. Marshalls, TJ Maxx, H&M, and other stores that sell mostly clothing, may also provide some good deals on home furnishings.
- Target or Walmart – While the home and furniture sections in these stores are limited, they can provide some steep discounts, especially if you’re willing to put a screwdriver or hex wrench to work.
- IKEA – a right of passage for many 20-somethings, IKEA is filled with furniture possibilities. With pretty much all of IKEA’s items, you’ll need to assemble them on your own, or find a friend or TaskRabbit to do it for you.
