A GUIDE TO FURNISHING YOUR NEW HOME
Moving into your new home is one of life’s significant milestones. You’ve signed the contract, and the move-in date is all set, so what next? Unless your new property comes with furniture, you’ll need to think about turning an empty house into a home.
Be it a new build, property refresh or a renovation project; furniture is one of the most important things when creating a space that you’re going to love. But furnishing a whole house can be a daunting and expensive task.
We’re here to help with our stress-free tips on how to furnish your home (without breaking the bank).
Make a checklist
Start by working out exactly what furniture (sofas, beds, tables and chairs for example) you are going to need to buy. Are you starting from scratch or do you have a few items from your current home? You may also have gifts from family and friends, or things you’ve already picked up and put away.
Start by writing a list of what you need for each room. List everything in order of priority, starting with the items that you can’t live without first such as electrical appliances, sofas and beds and ending with the ‘nice to have’ items such as coffee tables, armchairs and accessories.
TOP TIP: Before you buy any furniture, measure each room and create a floor plan so you know exactly what will fit where. We use room sketcher to plan some of our shop displays.
Set your budget
Budgeting is crucial when buying furniture. You don’t want to blow your budget on an extravagant dining table to find you can’t afford any chairs to go with it, or that you don’t have enough for a bed. Whether you’re on a shoestring budget or not, you need to make sure your money covers all of the essentials.
So how much does it cost to furnish a new home? The cost will be different for everyone depending on what you need, how many rooms you have and whether you want to buy affordable or designer furniture.
Start by working out what you can afford and then break down your budget for each item you want, or each room you need to furnish.
We stock couches, furniture and beds to suit all tastes, budgets and room sizes, with many items available for immediate free delivery and assembly.
Shop smart
When furnishing a new home, you’re often starting from scratch, needing to buy every single item from the big to the small. While this can be daunting, it can also be an excellent opportunity to save a little cash. Often by buying multiple items together, you can get a better price.
For example, our SmartBuy furniture sets include matching tables and chairs with added savings for purchasing them together.
Spread the cost
After paying your deposit and solicitors fees, your ‘new home’ fund may be running a little low.
One option is to furnish your new home as cheaply as possible, using a combination of second-hand finds, cheap flat-pack furniture and upcycled pieces. You could also furnish your home in stages, living with the bare minimum until you can afford more. This is an excellent option for some, but many first time buyers want a home they’re proud of from the start.
If you want new furniture as soon as you move in but can’t afford to buy everything upfront, look for other ways of paying such as spreading the cost.
We offer interest-free credit, subject to status, on all non-Sale items. It’s a great way to create your dream home without spending lots of money all at once. Simply work out what you can afford each month and stick to it.
Invest in comfort
While you might want to save money on some of your furniture, it’s worth splashing out on individual high-use purchases. For example, we spend around a third of our lives in bed so a mattress should be seen as an investment in quality; it’s worth spending a little more on a bed to get the best level of comfort and support you can afford.
The same goes for sofas, couches and chairs, especially if you love a night in front of the TV. By not going for the cheapest option, you’ll get furniture that’s built to last longer.
Refine your style
Of course, the cost isn’t the only consideration when furnishing your home. What do you want your new furniture to look like? It’s easy to buy the first thing that catches your eye and fits your budget or to be overwhelmed by choice and not buy anything when you need to fill multiple rooms. For this reason, it’s important to decide what style you want from the start. Having a clear idea of your likes and dislikes will make the process so much easier.
Do you like modern and minimalist or rustic and retro? Do some research into styles, colours and trends and save photos of other homes that you love.
TOP TIP: Before buying anything, create a mood board (or a Pinterest board) for each room to get a feel for what you like.
Don’t forget the finishing touches
Whether you’re starting with the blank slate of a new build, or are making over a period property, putting your stamp on your new place will make it feel like home. Soft furnishings are the perfect way to complete your newly furnished home and inject some of your personality into your interior.
Add a splash of colour with an eye-catching picture or rug, or add interest to your sofa with cushions and throws.
Still not sure?
Our knowledgeable sales team is on hand to offer advice. Call to arrange an appointment, or call into our Michael Street Peel showroom 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday.
