OS Decorating Ideas

sophistica

Are there any interior decorating geniuses out there. I am shortly going to be moving house and I haven't sold my exisiting one - so I won't have any money or any furniture (as the old furniture needs to stay in my existing house until it is sold or rented). The new house is brand new and contemporary in style. Has anyone got any ideas of how I can furnish a 3 bed house with next to no money?

elona

A combination of freecycle and charity shops.

Anne_Marie_2

Keep an eye in your local paper for folk wanting to get rid of stuff like sofas, beds etc. Friend of mine got 2 spanking leather settees for practically next to nothing, as they no longer matched the decor!
I got bunk beds from a work colleague, never used, all still wrapped up in packaging. Had been bought for when his children came to stay, but his ex wouldn't let them, so were taking up space. Anyway, worthwhile mentioning at work that you are looking for whatever, you never know what might turn up - was just a chance conversation that got me the beds.

If you are any good with a sewing machine, rattle up your own curtains out of cheap material, will do just fine until you can afford exactly what you want. Or have a rake through the remnants in a sewing shop, amazing what you can find. You don't even need a sewing machine, you could hand stitch, or perhaps use some of that no stitch stuff that you get.
Check round markets, car boot sales if you have any in your area - just don't buy anything that is not essential!

All that I can think of at the moment, but am sure someone will come along with loads of good ideas.

SnowyOwl_2

Look into auctions - they often have house clearance stuff which can go for a song. Some auction houses also sell on furniture from show homes, so you might be lucky and get some second hand but unused things which would be v.suitable for a new house. I think there was a thread on here a while ago about furnishing a house for next to nothing (or similar) which picked up on auctions.

Also a look around Ikea's bargain corner on a frequent basis, if you've got a branch nearby. Ask who's in charge of the bargain corner and find out from him/her the best day of the week to call in. Sometimes the bargains are excellent and sometimes they try and flog damaged items which are only fit for firewood (yet people buy them!).

If you are brave enough you could drive around residential areas and do a spot of skip diving. Not everybody goes to the trouble of advertising or car booting perfectly good items they no longer need.

Debt_Free_Chick

sophistica wrote:

the old furniture needs to stay in my existing house until it is sold or rented

I sold my house with nothing in it at all :eek:

It can sometimes help, as buyers can picture their own furniture in that "empty" space, instead of yours (no offence!)

And empty rooms appear to be much bigger

Worth considering?

sophistica

Thank you all. I joined my local freecycle yesterday and that was well worth doing. I am very handy with the sewing machine and in fact I do have some curtain fabric which can be pressed into service and I live near an auction house and Ikea, so I am now raring to go. I am also looking at what I can take with me without making my current house look desolate. Does anyone know the designer Kelly Hoppen. I really like her ideas and I know that Matalan and Pound Stretcher have decorative ideas which mimic hers.