Moving into a new build

OriolaW

After six years i'm finally being allocated my first apartment, which I'm grateful for and also surprised by(bidding six years, my first viewing of a property was offered to me <two weeks ago) so I have not much in savings. It's a new build so unfurnished.

How can I furnish the place inexpensively rather than with online free used goods? I am going to visit a few of the local independent retailers but they too can be quite expensive.

Also, if it's found that I cannot damage the walls e.g drilling how would I be able to seperate the kitchen and living room (open plan)? My initial idea was to quite simply to hang a drape.

Mattress
Cooker
Fridge
Couch

Does that sound like a good order of priority?

evoke

I would suggest Ikea and Argos for budget furnishings. You can also buy room dividers (the kind you see in doctor's surgeries but a bit more decorative for home use).

To make best use of space, you can actually buy a room divider which doubles as a shelving unit from Ikea.

In terms priorities, get the absolute essentials first (i.e. sort out things required for bodily functions and basic human needs first). Everything else can wait.

Having said that, i'd prioritise a fridge. It's very hard to live without a fridge these days.

happy35

as above try argos and ikea, sometimes ebay have new/nearly new furniture or white goods at really god prices

anotherbaldrick

Ask of local charity shops, some do handle white goods and furniture (not mattresses) and will only handle furniture which is fire rated and marked.

-taff

Sur Ryders here have a deal with someone that they get given end of lne brand new flat pack funriture. Might be worth a look if one near you has.

mustmakealist

Try freecycle or Gumtree for second hand items - not everything needs to be new and there may be some bargains to be had

DigForVictory

If you've time, auction houses can have lovely stuff going for a song given the quality. It's the getting there & any win back I found difficult... All the best!

OriolaW

Thanks all for the great advice I will see what comes of it

tBagpuss_2

Congratualtions on your new place.

IKEA and ARGOS are both good for inexpensive furntiture. - I have an Ikea 'klippan' sofa which I've found to be very good (I've have mine over 10 years now) - they currently cost about £175 new.

I would prioritise a fridge - if you can't afford both a fridge and a cooker straight away I would go for a fridge and microwave then save up for a cooker - not having a fridge means you;ll probably waste money throwing out food.

My local British Heart Foundation shop has 2nd hand and end of line furniture - in your position, I would try to find somewhere similar. I think they had a couple of double beds (frame and mattress) for around £200 (I think they were ex-display - definitely unused)

When I bought my first house I was able to get a 2nd hand fridge for £30 - it wasn't very beautiful, but did the job just fine (in fact I ended up keeping it until I moved house, so it lasted me about 7 years!)

Charity shops are excellent for finding china & glass, and it is also worth looking in the big supermarkets the packs they do (often aimed at students about to leave home) are very reasonable and allow you to have stuff which matches.