Furnishing a Flat on a Budget

Our guide to furnishing a flat on a budget will give you the know-how to turn a house (or room) into a home.

Before you get yourself into a shopping frenzy, it’s a good idea to work out exactly what you’re dealing with. Grabbing a tape measure and notepad is a great place to start. It’s also worth bearing in mind that any furniture that sits on the floor will be up against the edge of your skirting board, not the wall. Those extra few millimetres can make a surprisingly big difference when space is tight. Don’t forget about door-opening space either, or you’ll risk not being able to move around your flat!

When you go to look at big furniture items like beds and wardrobes, it’s important to measure them before committing. It’s easy to get swept away by the excitement when furnishing a flat. But the last thing you want is a gorgeous new sofa that doesn’t fit where you planned. When measuring items like tables and bookshelves, it’s also wise to check the widest and tallest parts of the piece, not just the point where it touches the floor.

Once you know exactly how much space you have to work with, we recommend sitting down to think about how you want your new home to look and feel. If it’s your own place, do you want to do any painting, decorating or other DIYing before moving in furniture? How much storage space do you need for clothing and other things? If your new place is a rental, do you want to get stuff that’s likely to work well in other properties, too, or are you planning on staying long-term? And of course, the all-important question – how much do you want to spend?

Just like for trips to the supermarket, we’d suggest making a shopping list of everything you’ll need for your new home. Putting these in order of how urgently you need or want to get them can help with budgeting too. Knowing you need to sort out a bed or wardrobe can help you resist splashing out on that cute new lamp and keep you focused on hunting down Good Finds.

Why not ask friends and family whether they have anything they’re looking to get rid of? You might be surprised by just how much stuff some people have that’s sitting around unused. Disposing of big items like sofas and dining tables can often be difficult and expensive, so you may actually be doing them a favour by taking it for free (as well as by helping them to declutter). And if they offer you stuff that doesn’t fit in your new place, you can always encourage them to sell it on Gumtree instead. If you’re able to pick up, we’ve got plenty of great offers that are free to collect, too. For any items from your old house that won’t work in your new pad, selling or swapping can be a simple way to boost your budget or gain a stylish new piece.

Once you’ve worked out what items you need most, it’s time for the fun part – shopping. We’d suggest starting with large items such as beds, tables and wardrobes and essentials like kitchen equipment – you may even find that bagging some bargains first leaves you with more cash left over than you expected to spend on extra little touches.

If your new place is completely unfurnished, you’ll probably want to start with the basics – which usually means the kitchen. Takeaways are great, but getting a cooker or microwave means you can save hundreds and eat healthily when it’s not treat night. A camping stove will do in a pinch while you’re saving up or waiting on a delivery, but be sure to use it in a well-ventilated room and never leave it unsupervised. For many, a kettle is the first port of call, so that all-important cup of tea is always close at hand. Your move-in helpers will appreciate enough mugs for everyone, too. And of course, even ready-meals are easiest to pull off when you’ve got access to a fridge.

Another place where splashing some cash can pay off quickly is with your laundry. Grabbing a bargain on a washing machine saves you lugging bags to and from the laundrette, not to mention the cost of doing your washing there. To make sure you get the right one for your needs, take a look at the 4 key considerations when buying a washing machine. When it comes to tumble dryers, it’s about whether you want to save time on laundry or save the cash and space needed for a dryer. Whichever you go for, a budget-friendly clothes airer is a handy way to dry smaller items and will fold away when you’re not using it.

A good night’s sleep can help you feel fresh and may even give you more energy for searching out those Good Finds, so it’s worth getting something cosy early on. Whether you’re looking for a standard double bed, single bed or a deeper divan, we’ve got plenty of options to choose from. Don’t forget a mattress, too. If you’re short on space, a futon that can double as a sofa could work well, especially for studio flats. Our guide on where to spend and where to save on your bedroom furniture has some handy tips. Nobody likes being woken up by the sunrise (or the street lights) at 4 am, so some curtains or blinds may be worth sorting out, too.

Having somewhere to relax – or sit and plan the next stage of your house decorating – is important in any home. Big pieces like sofas and armchairs are worth figuring out early because their size and shape will affect what else you can get in the room. If you’re working with older pieces, you can always brighten them up or change their look completely with a colourful throw. For something a more unique, take a look at 8 funky upcycling ideas for your living room.

As for somewhere to eat, you can opt for the traditional table and chairs or go for a trendy breakfast bar vibe with some bar stools. For more petite homes, there are folding options available. A table or breakfast bar can also double up as a temporary desk if you’re working from home.

Unpacking isn’t fun, but it’s much easier if you have somewhere to put all your stuff. Clothes rails let you hang things without taking up much space, while wardrobes often come with extra shelving, and sometimes even mirrors. Wall-mounted or freestanding shelves are brilliant for keeping everything from books to canned goods, while a chest of drawers can often double up as both clothes storage and a bedside table.

After you’ve spent some time in your new place and figured out what needs to go where, you’ll likely develop more of an idea about what kinds of smaller pieces you’ve got space (and budget) for. One neat way to avoid spending big money on small items is upcycling. A lick of paint or varnish, some sandpaper or an afternoon spent reupholstering can totally reinvent a chest of drawers, old armchair or some shelves for a fraction of the new price. Jam jars, fairy lights and spray paint can create all kinds of amazing decorations. There’s no need to spend big to have on-trend décor or make a new place feel like home.

Little touches can make a big difference when it comes to furnishing a flat. Whether it’s a dressing table or mirror in the bedroom, a place to put your coffee when you’re sat on the sofa, or a proper TV stand, getting those small pieces can change how a whole flat feels.

Soft items are a great way to make your home comfier and can form a key part of your décor. If you’re happy getting creative, you could even save some cash and sew your own pillows or curtains. We love to brighten up a living room with cushions, and bean bags can work as extra seating without taking too much space. A cheap rug can make a room feel luxurious, too.

Whether you love the bright colours of disco in your bathroom or prefer softer bedroom-style mood lighting, the right lights can totally change how a room looks and feels. Whatever you’re looking for, getting the perfect lampshade or lightbulb is key. Table and floor lamps can also really change up the atmosphere in a room. Why not consider these upcycled light shade ideas to make the most of your budget.

Plants aren’t just for outside – they can also be a cheap and easy way to brighten up your home, whether you’re looking to purify the air with a peace lily or just add a pop of colour. If you’re not so green-thumbed, cacti are a Good Find that’s fairly easy to care for – just take care not to water them too much. We’ve put together a beginners guide to caring for your indoor plants so that you have all the info you need to bring a little bit of the outdoors into your home.

A small budget doesn’t have to mean big stress when it comes to furnishing a flat. With our top tips for getting a great bargain, getting your new home sorted will be a breeze.