I’m moving into a new apartment and will need everything, kitchen towels, pots and pans, dishes and cups, trash cans, bathroom stuff, furniture, tv, rugs, etc.
The only thing I have is a bed and a small dresser and some bath towels so I basically need everything. I also need a small table and chair set for a balcony.
I’m getting overwhelmed with all this and want to know how I can furnish my apartment and buy housewares without breaking the bank.
How to get housewares and stuff needed for new apartment without breaking the bank
byu/Beautiful_Coat_9294 inFrugal
Posted by Beautiful_Coat_9294
25 Comments
Buy nothing groups on Facebook! And thrifting
Goodwill, Habitat ReStore, and Ikea
Thrift stores, Buy Nothing groups, etc. Figure out what you need right away vs what you can live without. Utensils, plates, a good pot = right away. A throw rug, a bookshelf, table and chairs for the balcony, etc can be picked up later.
Post on your local neighborhood Facebook/Buy Nothing groups. I have seen people furnish entire apartments this way. Whatever you don’t find that way, try thrift shops/Facebook Marketplace/Craigslist/garage and estate sales.
Goodwill!
Marketplace. Many people would have extra and you could ask in the no-buy and blessing groups in your local area.
Check out:
* garage sales
* ARC stores
* Habitat for Humanity
Dollar store or thrift shops.
Also post on NextDoor in your area. People will be generous.
Thrift store
Auctions.
Buy Nothing on FB and you local thrift stores. You can get amazing deals on good-quality kitchen knives! Likely they will need sharpening
I got a lot of stuff a bit at a time before I moved out – a couple things off amazon every paycheck or every other paycheck. Asked for some of the bigger things for Christmas gifts.
But yes, as others say – thrift stores, ebay, any second hand store is good. You can buy nicer and new later.
I see a lot of ways to get stuff, I haven’t seen yet – the salvation army! Some districts or areas have a free furniture program and you just have to find your local version. They authorized us furniture for 1 bedroom, dining room, and living room. We didn’t take the free mattress but got a food box voucher too!
Thrift stores, Craigslist, and free websites.
Craigslist, buy nothing new.
Estate sales are pretty good for kitchen things like plates and cups. Often times there are lots of sets of china that were rarely used.
IKEA
Reframe your thinking about this right from the start. No one “needs” a small table and chair set for their balcony, that is 100% a want.
Everyone else has already pointed you in the right direction.
Thrift stores and estate sales.
Make a list items from most urgent needs to items that can wait a bit. You don’t necessarily need to have everything at once, but you want to start with enough to be comfortable. As others have said hit up thrift stores, buy nothing groups, and garage sales. Also it you have relatives close by they may have extra items to donate. Going this route might mean you don’t have the exact items you wanted, but you can slowly replace things as you have the budget.
thrift stores. good will.
lots of things at thrift stores. glassware, cookware, silver ware, likely some availability of linens or towels or home goods.
there may also be second hand stores that aren’t exactly thrift oriented. in my area there’s a organization that has a lot of home renovation/home repair items. like… old windows or toilets from people doing renos. and they also have tons of glasses/cups/plates. and oddball stuff like furniture.
look on facebook for “buy nothing groups” these are community groups where people give away things they’re not using, or people can request “wish” items they need and if anyone has spare things they provide it.
facebook can also search for things you need with “free” in the search terms . or yard sales or other curb sales or moving sales, or college dorm move out season.
I needed a rug for my bedroom…as my bed frame was causing damage to the wood floor (had it on plastic lids as a temp solution) found someone on facebook giving away a large area rug. had some very minor damage to one tiny area (that’s now under my bed, never to see the light of day) and solved that problem for a few cents in gas to go pick it up.
got a couple free book shelves in a similar manner.
ikea. often has decent quality items. from kitchen items, to cookware. to small furniture. they also have things like cheap lightbulbs. or cloth rags etc.
also. don’t try and do everything at once. balcony furniture isn’t “required” just wait. again… spring cleaning/college dorm move out. or just keep an eye on facebook for free furniture. put the word out to any friends. people will clue you in to people getting rid of things.
like… can also buy/try and acquire bare necessities. and eventually build out. ie… how many towels or sheets do you really need? is 1-2 enough to get started? can always add more later. same with plates/silverware. …ikea has decent sorta white plate “starter packs” 5 plates, couple bowls, couple saucers. simple..plane white glass dishware. same with simple glass cups. how many cups do you really need?
get what you need to live/be sane in your home. in time. upgrade or expand what you want. and take time to get things you might want on the cheap. vs feeling you need everything all at once.
I didn’t have a coffee table for 6 months. i had one cheapo dinner tray. then had a friend let me use some of their wood worker tools and built a coffee table out of nice plywood. I got off facebook for free. had a nice solid DIY table for a good 2 yrs. until i was in a better place. bought a proper coffee table.
public libraries often have loads of things you can “rent” or take out. from tools to sewing machines to all manner of things. tool share, or community groups. look around, you’ll be surprised what’s out there.
Facebook marketplace can be hit or miss but if you know what you’re looking for and search a few times a day (morning, mid, and night) consistently you tend to be able to find something free/very cheap. That being said, I live around a highly populated area so YMMV depending where you are
Look for your local community’s buy nothing group in FB. You can #ask for specific things. And if someone has one that they no longer need they will give you what they have. It’s great.
Alternatively good will or or other second hand stores. Or garage sales are great.
Thrift stores. Mention to people you know about your needs. make a wishlist on apps like Amazon and wslly
I haven’t seen Freecycle mentioned yet, it’s not active everywhere but I’ve had a lot of luck there.