Moving into your first apartment is an exciting experience. If you are like most college students or new graduates, money is going to be tight, and yet you want your place to look nice and you need it to be functional. You don't have to spend a lot on things like Bauhaus furniture or Modloft furniture to have a young, modern looking home if you use some common sense and ingenuity.
The first strategy for saving money when setting up your first grown-up apartment is to get a roommate or two. You need to start by taking inventory of everyone's belongings to see what each person can contribute to the apartment. If each of you has their own bed, and one can bring a kitchen table, another roommate has the T.V. and the last roommate will share their sofa, then you're off to a great start. For the remainder of the seating and tables, it will save many headaches down the road if everyone buys separate pieces instead of sharing the cost of one because eventually someone will move out and then it's difficult to decide who gets to keep what. If you plan of entertaining often and you care how attractive the place looks to visitors, then {you might want to plan your purchases around certain colors that coordinate and pieces that are acceptable to everyone that will be located in the common areas such as the kitchen and living room.
Convertible Futon Sofa
Although it's more of a challenge financially, there is nothing quite like living all alone in your very own place. While you want your apartment to reflect your new, sophisticated image, there is nothing wrong with incorporating some of the pieces that served you so well during your college years. Convertible items as futons that serve as beds and dining tables that are used for desks can be attractive as well as functional while taking up less space. Most everyone has bookshelves that can be painted fresh and modern colors and storage containers that fit underneath the bed are fabulous for keeping tons of clutter out of sight.
Once you figure out what you would like to reuse, then you can begin shopping for the rest of the essentials. Luckily, there are many affordable options out there and even some of them are free. One of the best and most convenient places to shop for your domestic desires is right in your parent's home. You never know what treasures can be discovered in the basement or garage and your mom will be more than happy to get rid of the excess clutter.
Don't forget to check out the classified section of your local newspaper or online for sites that might have free items listed that you could possibly use. In addition, take a walk in your neighborhood because sometimes people leave perfectly usable furniture sitting on the curbside when they move. Don't bring in anything that is too damaged unless you know how to fix or reupholster it and check carefully for any critters that may have taken up residency inside couches. Finally, shop at garage sales, thrift stores and resale shops where you'll be able to negotiate what you're willing to pay.