help with furnishing my new flat?

seven-day-weekend

DKLS wrote: »

Its worth checking eBay for furniture, look for items that need collection and you can find some very cheap bargains, I got a coffee table for 99p and an oak wardrobe for £2.31.

A relative of mine was so impressed and spotted an opportunity to make some extra money. She buys furniture from Ebay and Gumtree, and revamps/upcycles them, its amazing what she can do with some orange pine.

Also a cheeky one, but if there are any private blocks of flats and you can get access check the bin area, when I lived in canary wharf it was amazing what other tenants threw away, there was usually a few items of good furniture and some expensive electrical goods.

My husband went to the top the other day, and in the skip was a very nice and virtually new wicker ottoman-type chest. He brought it home and found it had a little label on the side saying 'Harrods'.

To the OP, skips, freecycle, eBay, even keep an eye out for people putting 'free to good home' stuff in their front gardens (we have done this many a time). My son got his first sofa this way.

burlington6

newdave1975 wrote: »

hi sorry for late reply, im in darlington, county durham

North Wales, sorry

newdave1975

burlington6 wrote: »

North Wales, sorry

Hey don't worry, was good of you to offer. Is very much appreciated believe me 😊 Thank you.
Dave

kittykat17

My brother is in Co Durham. He split with his wife last year and left with nothing. When he went to the council about housing benefit they sent him to a furniture supplier (2nd hand) and told him he could spend up to £xxx with them. The council informed them of the items they were willing to pay for and the budget they'd given him. He got a 3 piece suite, table and chairs, washing machine & cooker. He didn't need a fridge as I gave him my mum's old one as well as her spin dryer. Speak to the housing office at the council - they seem exceptionally helpful. Good luck.

[Deleted User]

The above post (I think) refers to the transference of community care grants to the control of the local council. Now you apply to the council if you need money for furniture. Similar to Community Grants, they will be for fairly minimal amounts that will buy you very basic furniture. In my council, you get grants in the form of vouchers that can only be used in certain shops. This is to stop people being given an amount of money and spending it on other things as could happen with community grants. Ask in Housing or your local civic centre for details.

But as has also been said, you might be able to get furniture very cheaply from charities or community schemes who supply furniture for those on benefits etc. Personally I found the British Heart Foundation quite an expensive source of second hand furniture. But specialist places do exist, the furniture won't be as good, but it will do for a start. They usually do deliver as well (can be the major problem).

micky2phones

newdave1975 wrote: »

thanks for all your replies, some good starting points there

Hi, In my area there is a charity which helps with carpets, white goods, pots and pans etc.
All they ask is you lived in this area for the last two years and on certain benefits.
Is there anything like that near you ?