Where can I buy cheap furniture?

Finding Cheap Furniture

Congratulations on getting the new apartment! So now you need to find some stuff to put in it. And last I checked, there wasn't a service that either: a) dropped off free furniture or b) left paper sacks full of $20s on your doorstep, which means it's time for some budget furniture shopping.

Furniture is probably the most expensive items required for an apartment (big 60 inch plasma TVs don't fall into the category of 'required' so put the Best Buy card away) but there are some creative ways to get some decent furniture without breaking the bank. Or doing anything illegal.

Free is Good
The best low-cost furniture is no-cost furniture. And the best place to start is with the family. Heck, your parents are probably so ecstatic you're out of the house, they'll probably help you carry the family room couch to the truck. I exaggerate, but it is a good idea to check in with the parental units and the immediate family to see what extra furniture and furnishings they've been looking to unload.

Another good place to look is the office or school. Check with the office manager to see if there's an old desk you can take off their hands. You never know what you'll get if you ask. You can also do some 'shopping' on trash day if you're willing to get up before the trash men. Hey, sometimes free costs some pride.

Garage Sales
Also known as 'tag sales' or 'yard sales', there's no closer feeling to discovering buried treasure, provided your idea of treasure is a discarded lamp from Disco Stu ("Disco Stu has ouzo for two-zo!"). Many neighborhoods designate 'sale weekends' for their residents to clutter their driveways, yards and garages with their wares for sale. Arrive early and you might find some much-needed items for the new apartment.

Thrift Stores
Usually where garage sale items that can't be sold end up, the Thrift Store is like a monument to fashion history (and many "oh my god, no you didn't wear that" moments). But if your style leans toward the eclectic or the kitschy, the thrift store is the place for you. It's also an excellent place to find cheap furniture (like "couches for $50" cheap) that's merely a slipcover or sheet away from looking like...well, something you didn't just get from a thrift store anyway.

Furniture Rental
If your sense of style forbids you from entering a thrift store, but your budget prohibits a visit to Pottery Barn to furnish your entire apartment, another option is furniture rent-to-own establishments where you can procure your entire furniture collection for a monthly fee that goes towards purchasing the pieces. Or, if your sense of style changes faster than Courtney Love falls off the wagon, this allows for far more flexibility than purchasing furniture every couple of years.

Filling up your apartment (or changing your style) doesn't have to be an expensive process unless you want it to be. With a little hard work, you can have a stylish apartment without breaking the bank.