Small house single person

olb81

Any tips on cheapest way to move in to a small empty one bed house?
I want to buy things as I go along, already borrowed money so don't want anymore debt.
First things I guess is things to cook with 
- a microwave with convector oven or air fryer
Only space for 2 appliances in kitchen so:
- undercounter fridge (possibly with ice box?)
- washing machine ( or washer dryer)
Do have a cupboard I could use for an extra appliance
Next to sleep, a bed, what's the easiest option, mattress on floor, put you up bed?
To eat on, a small table and two chairs
To work on , a desk and swivel chair plus all in one computer 
To watch films or play games, a sofa, t v bench and tv
I want to buy all this as I go along with a couple hundred of my wages per week.
Any tips most welcome

elsien

Charity shops, Facebook marketplace, Olio, car boot sales. They can be quite good for computer desks and office chairs. 
I already had a bed and I bought the washing machine, et cetera, new but that’s how I furnished my house to start with. Then replaced things over time. 

Is there no room for a hob at all? 

Yes to the fridge with an ice box. It really helped to have a bit of freezer space, however small.
I just have a washing machine, not a washer dryer but if you don’t want to get damp in the house, do you have somewhere else to dry things properly? 

GDB2222

Personally, I'd prioritise a mattress on the floor. Followed by a very cheap microwave and a kettle. 

You may be entitled to help if you're on benefits, or there may be local charities able to help. 

Slinky

Places like Facebook marketplace, Freecycle etc can be your friend for cheap/free stuff. Ask your friends/relatives/colleagues if they are getting rid of anything that could be of use to.  Borrow what you can until you can source your own.  I moved into a house with virtually nothing. Bought a secondhand cooker and a conservatory suite of furniture  from work colleagues, Bought a new fridge/freezer. Borrowed a mattress from parent until I could afford a new bed. Borrowed clothes rails. Bought secondhand beds for spare room from colleagues. Made do with the existing carpets and curtains for years.

Well done for not insisting on having to have brand new sparkly everything from day 1.

PoGee

Saw this on Tesco online 

Oypla 2.5Kw Electric Portable Kitchen Double Hot Plate

£19.99

It's for caravans but could keep you going till you got a full sized cooker. I always keep an eye out on Argos's clearance section and they also do discount codes on furniture every now and then. I also got good deals from charity shops who deliver for a small fee + no hassle with putting things together.

Cairnpapple

Agree on charity shops because of being able to arrange delivery, our local furniture charity shop has brand new beds and mattresses (maybe ex-display?). Or Facebook marketplace is great if you have access to a van.

I was really lucky because I moved into my first place when my dad and stepmum had just moved in together and they had loads of duplicates, so I only really had to buy a bed. Nothing was new (the suite was already second hand when my stepmum got it) but a lot of it lasted me 5-10 years. Now we're of an age where friends" kids are moving out and we're putting stuff aside for them. Not so much the big furniture because we've been quite efficient about selling or donating that when we no longer need it, but we can usually find some kitchenware and bedlinen and towels.

BridgetTheCat

I once moved into a flat with just a few archive boxes of personal belongings and a laptop. I bought a bed and an armchair immediately, but I initially used the boxes as a table/desk and the laptop as my tv. It took a long time to furnish it nicely, but you don’t need to get everything right away.

grumpy_codger

keep your eye on https://www.freecycle.org

Momogeew

I also recommend Freegle and Freecycle.
There is a lot of good stuff on those sites.
Remember though, these goods are being given, free. So whether you are collecting it or it's being delivered to you .... it.is.free.
There are people on there that will ask for money for things like delivery costs or time costs - walk away, it.is.free.
Charging for this, that, or the other is not in the spirit of these sites but it's happening 😡

GrubbyGirl_2

I ended up buying my first house unexpectedly at the age of 24 in 1984.  I say unexpectedly as I had planned on renting.  I was initially given NHS accommodation for the first few months of taking up employment, but I soon realised that I could get a 100% mortgage (yes you could get them in those days) which would work out less per month than rent.  It was in Grimsby and property was cheap (first house was £29k).  

I had absolutely nothing except a TV and a kettle.  My parents bought me a new bed and a bean bag to sit on and gave me some old crockery and cookware,  but I was so happy to own my first house.  People around me (neighbours and friends) gave me loads and it wasn't long before I had a furnished house.  In fact one neighbour gave me a small ercol sideboard they were throwing out and I still own that today 41 years later, in fact it's so fashionable now I saw one for sale in a local shop for £700.

Freecycle, trash nothing and freegle are brilliant, you will be able to furnish your house over time.  It may take a while but be patient you don't need everything all at once.  After my experience of people's kindness in my 20s I always put my unwanted things on there.  You will find some brilliant stuff.  Good luck

Albermarle

If you are buying locally and have some local friends and family, then just spread the word and there will be a good chance someone is replacing some furniture in the near future, and will be happy for you to have the old stuff.