Some off-campus residences are pre-furnished, which is reflected in a higher rent. For those of you providing your own furniture, there are many options for cheap but usable furnishings. The easiest option is to inherit furniture from previous tenants of your apartment. Your predecessors will often be graduating seniors that are looking to sell off all of their college materials or even give them away for free. Similarly, friends and acquaintances moving out of other off campus locations, as well as university residence halls, might have items they will sell, loan, or give to you.
Resources to Find Furniture
- Our Buy/ Sell Forum (Click “forum” in the upper navigation bar)
- eBay
- Social Networks (Facebook and Twitter)
- Craig’s List
- Newspaper
- Flea Market
- Second-Hand Shops
- Marshalls and T.J. Maxx
When you live in an apartment every inch of space is used for a purpose. When storing objects think about the space that is not being used. Buying old furniture online is a quick and cheap way to obtain the things you need. There are great ways to refurbish old furniture into the look that you are trying to achieve. You could stain or paint the furniture to give it a new and refreshed look.
Tips for the Kitchen
If your apartment does not come furnished – adding a clear table and chairs gives the illusion that your space is larger without compromising on space. Open storage units such as a bakers rack, microwave stand or a metal-shelving units in the kitchen is a great way to store dry foods and a microwave to maximize your counter top space.
Tips for the Living Room
Many apartments come with wall-to-wall carpeting. Some of the carpet may be dark or have stains. A great way to break up the dark carpet and make the room feel bigger would be to add a colored rug. You can purchase a remnant carpet that can cover a lot of space and they are usually pretty cheap.
Using mirrors is a great way to create the illusion that your space is larger than it really is. It reflects light and makes the space feel bigger. Hanging a mirror in the living room where there is a lot of natural light is a great place. Adding curtains to a room can stylize a room and make it feel more at home.
To bring vibrancy to any room, introduce a bold color. By art, cover pillows and accessories can really give a room pop of color.
If your apartment come already furnished you can think about buying slip covers for the couches and chairs. If you cannot find one that fits, a cheaper option would be to use a pillowcase to cover the cushions.
Tips for the Bedroom
Another great way to store the clothes that are out of season is to use under the bed boxes.