Sneaky ways to save money when furnishing your home
Buy new hardware, not new furniture.
Bored of that dresser you’ve had for years but don’t want to replace it? Are you sick of that desk but a new one isn’t in your budget? Want to update your kitchen or bathroom without construction or spending a lot of money? Swapping out hardware can give any piece of furniture an instant makeover. No DIY skills are required. All that’s needed is a screwdriver. A new knob or pull can cost as little as a few dollars apiece.
Find new uses for old furniture.
There are many ways to reuse bedroom furniture in other parts of the home. For example, an old armoire easily doubles as a dishware cabinet.
Dressers can be repurposed into buffet tables in a dining or living room, or used in your laundry room as a folding table and to store off-season clothing.
Need a new desk chair? If you’re getting rid of old dining chairs, use one of those instead.
Shop the kids and teen departments.
Kids and teen furniture isn’t what it used to be. Many brands have beautiful teen and kids lines. The prices are generally lower and you can find everything from beds (usually up to queen size) to sofas and decor with a similar aesthetic to the "grownup" collections. No one will know the difference except for your wallet.
(Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at www.realsimple.com.)
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