Tired of looking at white walls? It’s halfway through the year, and you still haven’t decorated. Things get expensive when living on your own. You realize that everything costs 10 times more than you thought it would, and mom and dad did a good job of being thrifty. But now it’s your turn. Decorating your dorm or apartment on a budget can be easy if you just follow some of these simple tips:
1. Take what you already have
Don’t be afraid to ask your parents for those pieces of furniture around the house that no one uses. Look through the attic, and see if you can find some cool artwork or old posters to pop on the walls. The kitchen will surely be filled with pots, pans, cups, bowls, and you’ll realize that no one has used it in a very long time.
Is your aunt moving? Ask for that armchair she was going to throw out. You get the picture. Just because you don’t have money for new things doesn’t mean you can’t outfit your new living space. Saving a few bucks by reusing what you have around the house will really pay off when it comes to the essentials.
2. Go to yard sales
Don’t shy away from second-hand. One man’s trash could be your new coffee table. People try to sell the weirdest things, and if you get creative, you can turn them into useful things or conversation pieces. For example, books in a house make the people that live in it look well read. Grab some penny novels from the down-the-street yard sale, and stock your shelves. You might just find your new favorite book or something to make people think you actually are reading classy poetry.
3. The Dollar Store
The Dollar Store is a treasure trove of stuff when it comes to seasonal decorations. You can easily deck out your entire house in Halloween goodies by stepping into Dollar Store as opposed to a supermarket. Wrapping paper is always a must-buy and can be used to wrap up pictures on the walls to look like presents. Instant holiday décor! You can also find everyday household items like sponge holders, buckets, dustpans, and kitchen rags. These are things you definitely need, but they can get pricey. Remember: this is a temporary living space; you don’t need the absolute best of everything all the time.
4. Goodwill and Plato’s Closet
If you find yourself short on cash and need the simple things like toothpaste, always go to your closet first. Take out all your old clothes, and bring them into Plato’s Closet. They give cash for gently used brand name clothing. That cash can then be taken directly to Goodwill to find artwork, furniture, and simple odds and ends. Goodwill is always a good place to find retired couches and arm chairs that, with a little TLC and some reupholstering, can look like something off a show floor.
Decorating a new living space can seem expensive and intimidating, but looking in the right places can save hundreds. No one will look down on you for buying second hand, and it’ll ensure you have money to spend on real food as opposed to that super hip and trendy lamp you saw in the Overstock catalog. It’s not worth eating Ramen every night just to have all the latest things! Be wise with your money and your investments; you’ll have time for fancy once you graduate!