Setting up a household

Lotta

If everything goes OK I will complete my flat purchase on June the 22nd. this means that I need to set up a new household. When I sold my half of my previous house in Belgium, I sold it including all furniture because it was not worth bringing it over to England.

I now need to buy literally everything except plates and cutlery and I mean everything: bed, sofa, cupboards, closets, vacumcleaner, dishwasher, bedlinnen, etc etc and I don't have a car so I need to get it delivered home or rent a car/van for the day.

Is there any shop/sites that you recommend that give great discounts when you purchase a lot or is just to head to IKEA and get all I need.

Cheers
Lotta

olive84

The OH and I are FTB and are in much the same situation. Don't know about discounts for large purchases, but we are going to head down the IKEA route for most things, as they do next day delivery. Can be quite pricey though. If you are near a John Lewis their delivery is very good, if you go into the store you can choose the day and they have some free delivery slots. They aren't as pricey as you think either, we just got a double bedstead for £175, free delivery.

lynzpower

dont forget your quidco cash back either can be a nice little earner.

Dont forget ebay. I got a gorgeus brand new bedstead from ebay ( think it was nexts overstock) for 99 quid plus 25 postage which was good

I like ikea but it can be a bit soulless to have everything from there - it certainly has its own "stamp" and a whole house full of it can feel a bit "rental"

kathyb1230

there's a section on Gumtree (at least definitely in the London version) called 'houseclearance'. Granted, all of the stuff there is going to be used, and some of it will be in a worse condition than others, but it's worth having a look if you need things just to be getting on with.
Most stuff on there is dirt-cheap, so you can live with it while you hunt around for the perfect tv / kitchen stuff / bookshelf etc - trust me, anything and everything gets advertised on there.

HTH
Kathy

litaus

If you don't mind used then sign up for freecycle - the clue's in the name - it's free stuff only. You get lots of big items there, sofas, dining tables, pianos, and the like, stuff that's not worth much 2nd hand, as well as some lovely stuff which people just can't be bothered with the faff of trying to sell.

Otherwise, for little things like airers, freestanding shelves etc, try Argos. No delivery after about £100 or so and not too expensive for the 'plastic tatt' stuff we all need.

Tim_Deegan

I know that many people are very wary about buying large items like beds and other furniture from ebay. However if you follow a few guidelines then you can save up to 75% on the shop prices:

1) most important of all make sure that the seller gives a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

2) check previous feedback for the seller, and even contact previous customers to ask them about the seller.

3) use a company who display their phone number, so that you can talk to someone about your requirements (they want you to make the righ choice because it will cost them if you return it).

4) check the sellers return policy. Many sellers charge for postage on returns.....can work out very expensive if you have unpacked a vacuum packed mattress, and you don't like it.

5) try to use a seller who delivers using their own transport. Couriers often damage or missplace goods (believe me I know from experience).

Obviously you can't try before you buy, but for the saving it is worth the risk if you follow the guidelines above.

innerspaceid

Hi,

Many companies sell furniture packs for landlords/homeowners. This could be a great way for you to furnish your home quickly and less painfully than having to order all items seperatly.

Packs can include everything from window blinds, bedding, accessories, furniture, kitchen items, electrical items - list goes on!

Hope this helps? I can give more info i anyone needs it....

Tim_Deegan

innerspaceid wrote: »

Hi,

Many companies sell furniture packs for landlords/homeowners. This could be a great way for you to furnish your home quickly and less painfully than having to order all items seperatly.

Packs can include everything from window blinds, bedding, accessories, furniture, kitchen items, electrical items - list goes on!

Hope this helps? I can give more info i anyone needs it....

That can be a very expensive way of doing it for a private home. Furniture packs are more suitable for lanlords.