Are you currently moving into a new apartment, or do you want to revamp your existing apartment, but your furniture budget is limited? No worries: we know some tricks on how to furnish your home in a cosy, cost-effective way. Whether it’s with furniture and accessories your family and friends no longer need, great second-hand deals on social media and online platforms, or maybe finds you breathe new life into, you can gradually furnish your home the way you want. Our biggest tip: take your time. You don’t need to buy everything all in one go. With a bit of patience, you can develop your own personal style and transform your apartment gradually into a cosy home.

Our comprehensive guide will give you more tips on how to shop smartly, upcycle furniture and get the best out of your home, even on a small budget. 

Guide: furnish your home cost-effectively

Furnish your home step by step

First things first: be patient. Your home does not need to be perfect as soon as you move in, and you can furnish it step by step. This saves you money, because if you make rash purchases, you run the risk of buying the wrong things. Even if you have been living in the same place for quite some time and want a change, you can afford to take it slowly.

Start with the key items and rooms for you. Maybe start with the living room, as that’s where we all spend the most time. Alternatively, start off by focusing on the bedroom and work forward from there, room by room. Compile a wishlist and go through it slowly. 

Less is more

When it comes to furnishings and fittings, it doesn’t have to be perfect. If you want to furnish your apartment cost-effectively, you might like to try minimalism. If you only own a few items of furniture or objects, you don’t have to spend as much. A few eye-catching items will bring out your furnishings and give off an exclusive air.

Minimalism also involves the idea that you don’t need to own everything yourself, and items can be recycled. Borrow things like drills and kitchen utensils you hardly ever need from friends and neighbours. 

Second-hand bargains

Second-hand shops, flea markets and online platforms are a real goldmine for value-for-money furnishing ideas. You’ll find everything there, whether furniture, decorations or handy household gadgets.

Second-hand shops and thrift stores come in many different styles: while some sell simple furniture and furnishings, others specialize in premium designer furniture and rarities.

You may even find something on the side of the road: people often leave furniture out on the street for people who want to give it a new home.

Get furniture cheaply

Furniture stores and online shops regularly have sales where you can get your hands on furniture or furnishings for a substantially reduced price. Display models and lost-and-found items with minor defects are also sold for a fraction of the price when new.

Forget the idea that all your furniture should completely homogeneous. Combine cheaper furniture with slightly more expensive items, put a variety of different second-hand chairs around the dining table, and opt for multipurpose, flexible furniture that can be used in different ways and in different rooms. 

Do-it-yourself projects

If you want your apartment to be furnished affordably but uniquely and are able to bring some of your own handicraft skills to the table, DIY projects are perfect for you. Give old furniture a new lease of life and create a unique interior design with upcycling. You can let your imagination run wild: turn pallets into sofas, cases of wine into shelves, bottles into candlesticks, and orange peels into scented candles.

Find more inspiration for upcycling and do-it-yourself projects in the blog post “DIY ideas for upcycling materials”.

Plants as decoration

Plants not only add colour and life to your apartment, they also enhance the indoor atmosphere. Go for cheap, easy-care plants that you can breed and grow without needing to be a botanist, and save a few francs in the process.

Succulents and cactuses are easy to take care of, and they look very decorative when arranged in groups. Spider plants and golden pothos are quick, lush growers that can be kept in a glass, and the same goes for monstera. Ask your friends and neighbours, and perhaps someone will give you a cutting.

Other natural materials can also be used as decorations, such as shells, various stones (possibly painted), driftwood and, of course, flowers. A really nice alternative to fresh flowers are dry flowers, branches and grasses. 

Using textiles as highlights

Add a touch of individuality to your home with cushions, blankets and curtains. You’ll also find these second hand or on sale in furniture shops. You can use fabrics, old duvet covers or discarded curtains to sew decorative textiles.

Warm blankets not only look good in the living room, they also help keep down heating costs. Carpets also help make a room warmer and homelier.

Velvet, artificial leather, gold, silver and bronze look particularly classy, while wool, natural white and earthy tones help create a cosy atmosphere. Opt for a subdued primary colour, and use more vibrant items to add highlights. 

Don’t forget the walls

An inexpensive way of furnishing your apartment in a personal, stylish way is by putting up pictures. While artworks by famous artists and photo prints can quickly eat into your budget, many other ideas are either cheap or even free. Whether it’s photos you’ve taken yourself, picture frames with designs from a second-hand shop, vintage family photos or pictures you’ve painted yourself: you can add style and personality to your home and save money.

Colourful walls can also enhance the look of an apartment. However, be sure to ask building management first, and get help from a professional if need be. An alternative to painted walls is wall stickers, such as geometric shapes or animal pictures in the kids’ room. Mirrors of different shapes and sizes can also add variety to your walls and make your rooms look bigger. 

Personal, original decorations

Decorate your apartment with personality! Design a pin or magnet wall with photos, concert tickets and postcards. Repurpose everyday objects: a saucer could become a soap dish, a bottle could become a candlestick, and books could become side tables. 

Even though arts and crafts made by your children and godchildren aren’t always practical, these creations do have sentimental value and, if placed well, can make for beautiful decorations.

Fairy lights and candles can help create a cosy atmosphere without you needing to fork out on designer lamps. 

At a glance: where can you get items for a particularly good price?

Even if you furnish your home in a minimalist style, there are still a few must-have items for your home. This overview tells you where to find these for an affordable price.

Summary

Stylish, cosy furniture doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a bit of creativity and the right tips, you can create the type of home you want, even on a limited budget. Be patient, don’t be a perfectionist, and look for items that are unique and affordable.

Want to find out where else you can make savings in your household budget? We’ve compiled nine handy savings tips for single people, couples and families in our article “How do I save money on my household budget?”.