How to Furnish an Off-Campus Apartment on a Budget

Editor’s note: this is a guest post written by Irina Vasilescu, for dontpayfull.com

A college education is the right way to get your career off to a flying start – but it can also result in massive debts that will come back to haunt you. That’s why the smartest of the smart are always on the lookout for ways to cut college education costs. An off-campus apartment can be a cheap option if you know where to find a budget apartment for rent, but furnishing your off-campus apartment can prove costly. Try these tips for big-time savings.

1. Have a Plan

Do you know the difference between needs and wants? OK, so you want all the mod cons, but what do you really need? Make a list of the basics; you’ll be surprised at how little you can get by on without being in the least uncomfortable.

2. Go Bohemian

Consider the benefits of being unconventional. For example, do you really need a lounge suite? Use cushions and poufs to create a fun, informal, and attractive lounge area. It can look super too! Sure, it won’t suit older people, but presumably, most of your friends will be quite capable of getting comfy down low.

3. Ask for Stuff

“It doesn’t hurt to ask,” is a good maxim for the frugal-minded. Ask for discounts, or even ask for free stuff outright. Friends and relatives could have just the furniture you need and be quite happy to give it away. Remember to factor in transportation costs.

As for kitchenware, pots and pans, and crockery, you can easily get more than you need for free – provided you don’t mind mismatched items rather than full sets.

Curtains are another fruitful “ask” item. Just about everyone has handed-down curtains or old curtains they stored away in a closet somewhere. Why buy them if you can get them for free?

Ask parents, friends and relatives outright, and advertise any shortfalls on social media. People love a project, and your updates are sure to be popular with your social media followers.

4. Freecycle

Believe it or not, there are plenty of people who are willing to give furniture away to strangers for free. You’ll find them in Freecycle groups or even on Craigslist. And if you’re willing to grab what you can get, remember that graduates will quite often leave unwanted furniture behind, either in apartment or on the sidewalk. You may not need a truck. Ikea castoffs can be disassembled to fit into the trunk of a regular car.

While you’re at it, talk to your landlord. Left-behind furniture is often a headache for building owners and caretakers, and they’ll be only too happy to let you take it away.

5. Hit the Garage Sales

Second-hand stores might be worth checking out, but you’ll get the best deals at garage sales. After all, they’re run by people who just want to get rid of stuff and maybe make a few bucks on the side. Don’t be shy to haggle a little. If you’re super-broke, ask if the homeowner will let you take any unpurchased items home for free after the sale.

6. Can You DIY?

If you can get furniture for free (and you can,) you can be sure of getting free offcuts and odds and ends you could turn into something if you know your way around power tools and DIY. Just remember to check with your landlord or agent if you want to drill any holes in the walls.

And just because you’re fitting out your apartment on a budget doesn’t mean you have to do without décor items. Get creative and make your own!

7. Bedding DownBeds are expensive. Futons can turn out really cheap, and you can double them up as couches, especially if you’re renting a studio apartment.

Thinking of buying a bed anyway? Do you really need a double bed? A single will cost far less and so will the linen.

And what about a mattress on the floor? Think about it: it gives great support for your back, and you’ll have the biggest “bedside table” ever!

8. Ikea

Last, but not least, even new furniture can be cheap. Ikea does “cheap but functional” to perfection and you’ll be able to check out prices before you begin your search for bargains. Use them as a benchmark for price comparison and get any basics you couldn’t find for less brand new.

Furnished Under Budget? Use Your Savings Wisely

Once you’ve finished your apartment-furnishing project, you might find that you have saved so much that you’ve barely dented your budget. Throwing a party might be tempting but being a student and being broke are practically synonymous. Put the money aside for something you really need! You’ll be glad you did!