Buying your own home is an exciting and significant achievement. The process involves many steps to get from hunting for the right place to opening the front door with your own key. There is nothing quite like stepping over the threshold of a place you can call your own. However, buying the property is just the first step to making it a home. For a place to feel like home you need to layer in your own essence, add furniture that makes you comfortable and accessorise with items that bring you joy and keep you cosy.
Furnishing an entire house or apartment is quite the task in itself. Big ticket items such as whitewoods, couches and electrical appliances all add up. After the upfront and ongoing costs of buying a property, avoid stretching yourself any further financially for the first few years if possible. At a time when repayments will be their highest, it’s a good idea to ease into furnishing your home with mindfulness, resourcefulness and a bit of good old patience. It’s not necessary to have all the mod cons straight away and with some smart shopping you can still set up a stylish space you’ll love.
Second-hand for the win
Many people scoff at the idea of buying second-hand furniture, but it’s truly one of the most affordable and rewarding ways to furnish a home plus it reduces waste and landfill. Auction houses, antique stores, eBay, Gumtree and garage sales are all fabulous ways to score white goods, furniture and even appliances. I’m proud to share that 85% of the furniture in my home is vintage and I’ve been so impressed with how well the items have stood the test of time.
As with buying anything second-hand, discernment is key. Research and be prepared to patiently wait for the right piece to turn up. I only purchased items that were in excellent condition and my personal brief was Australian made vintage pieces built from solid timber from a particular era. While it took quite a few years of scouting for the right items, once my husband and I decided what our ‘style’ was, we gradually added to our collection with timeless pieces which complimented each other. It took over 10 years, but we now have a home filled with special pieces full of character and history that we love.
Display home delights
If you prefer modern furniture and accessories consider seeking out items that were previously used to furnish display homes. Ex-rentals are usually in very good condition with minimal wear. Alternatively, ask to buy the ‘floor stock’ from your favourite furniture store. You’ll be taking home pieces which have been on display in showrooms, so virtually new, but also essentially ‘used’ so you won’t pay full price. You can also enjoy significant discounts on ‘ex-display’ or ‘floor stock’ white goods and appliances this way too.
Budget friendly not “cheap and nasty”
You might be surprised to learn that many household items can be bought quite affordably brand new. Seek out high quality items on sale and don’t be afraid to negotiate on price. But also be aware that new doesn’t always mean better, particularly if it is really cheap. Be mindful that many ‘flat pack’ items are made from MDF which cannot tolerate any moisture and aren’t built to last long term (a solid piece of timber furniture will always outlast MDF). Also, due to the chemicals used to make MDF based furniture (such as formaldehyde) they can release VOC (volatile organic compounds) which can be harmful to your health.
When it comes to white goods and electronic items, newer usually means more energy efficient, so buying a ten year old fridge for $50 might not necessarily be the way to go even if it does save you money in the short run. Whether you go second hand or new, research your purchases carefully by reading lots of reviews, reviewing warranty details and be patient if it means waiting for longer to save up for a higher ticket item. Investing in high quality will be worth the wait if your choice is energy efficient (saving you money in the long run). Buying cheap items that keep needing to be replaced is not a very budget friendly option. Even expensive electrical items can have a short lifespan. I got so sick of my mid-priced kettles breaking every couple of years I bought myself a vintage enamel stovetop kettle so I would never have to buy an electric kettle again! It takes me an extra 3 minutes to make a cup of tea, but it will last me forever.
Stick to a style
It can be easy to end up with a mishmash kind of interior if you are sourcing all your furniture from second-hand sources without a clear vision. If you have a defined style (even if it’s just a temporary style until you can afford to upgrade) it will be easier to decide what will work in your home and result in a look you love. Research the style that appeals to help inform the types of pieces that will compliment that particular look. Are you going for retro or renaissance? Shabby chic or Scandi? Hamptons or hippy? Stick to the one style and over time you’ll gradually bring together a harmonious home.
Up-cycle and DIY
Sometimes it takes a little creativity to furnish your home on a budget. It might be looking at that timber pallet on the side of the road from a different angle and realising it could be turned into a couch, bed or table. If you are crafty and have a sewing machine, consider designing bean bags or cushions out of old curtains or nice fabrics sourced from op shops. An old daggy chair can be reupholstered with some nice upholstery fabric and a staple gun. An old broken wheelbarrow could become a flourishing flower bed. DIY can be a ‘good for now’ solution while you focus on paying down your mortgage and keep your living expenses down. However, you might just decide down the track that it’s the quirky handmade things that really ‘make’ your home and perhaps you’ll decide to keep them forever. Inspiration is just a click away and your imagination is the only limit.
Minimalism will save you money
Decide to furnish your home with only what you need. A few seats, a surface on which to eat. Something soft to sleep on. Do you need all of the side tables, the mod cons, the fancy bits and bobs all of which you’ll need to store and clean and sort? The less you have the less you pay for it, and the less time you need to spend keeping it clean and organised. Figure out what is essential and perhaps for a time (or maybe forever) you can live simply and live well. Less really can be more.
Home is where the heart is
Furnishing your home is an entirely personal process and only you know what will feel like ‘home’ to you. Don’t be lured into the trap of thinking you need to have it all at once and all from the fancy furniture store from the trendy side of town. The best things in life take time, so enjoy the process of building a life and home you love, bit by bit. Your home will slowly unfold as it’s meant to and as your budget allows.
Ultimately, what you fill your home with is less important than the people you share it with. It’s the people you love that really makes your house a home.
If you are still on the hunt for the perfect place don’t hesitate to get in touch with the friendly customer service team at Australian Mutual Bank who can support you during your home buying journey.
Alison Gallagher is a freelance writer, resourcefulness expert and entrepreneur. She has been featured in various publications including Stellar Magazine, Australian Health and Fitness Magazine, and Cleo Magazine. Alison is particularly passionate about sharing practical tips on how to live simply, sustainably and seasonally.
