It’s much like a rite of passage; you move out for the first time, whether it’s on your own, or with your partner or friends, and you buy the cheapest things you can get your hands on, or you gradually pick up pieces from hard rubbish piles on the side of the road. We all know just how expensive it can be to move house, but when you’re doing it for the first time there are so many things most people just don’t even consider until they come up.
When moving out for the first time and furnishing your home, there are some places you can cut corners - and some you definitely shouldn’t. We’re here to help you take the hassle out of the bigger decisions you need to make when moving, and focus on what’s really important - like whether your fridge will have a water dispenser or not.
Start small
Remember, it’s your first house, and you don’t need to furnish the entire thing straight away! Trust me when I say I feel your pain; I know just what it’s like to want to go out and buy the sleekest dinner set, the expensive candles, the plushest quilt covers, and those little designer coffee table books. The truth is, when you’re just starting out and you don’t have many dollars to your name, you need to start with the bare bones basics.
Start with what you have - you’re probably already sleeping on a bed, great, that’s one thing off the list. You’ll need a fridge to keep your food in, and maybe a dining table and some chairs to start with - but have you really moved out if you haven’t eaten takeaway on the floor the first night? When you’re pinching pennies, you really need to take a step back and actually think about what your non-negotiables are; the rest can come later, once you’ve settled in a bit better. You can always add things like coffee tables, spare beds, and hallway tables down the line.
Make a list
And check it twice. Spreadsheets are handy as well (don’t be afraid!). If you’re moving out for the first time and will need to buy a lot, as you’re using things in the house you’re in currently, write them down so you know you’ll use them a lot and it’s something you’ll need to buy. Ask your friends and family about the things they didn’t think about when they moved that they needed to do a late night run for; hint, it’s always scissors.
Also make a list of things you have already got or bought - this way you’re not falling victim to ‘oh, I need this!’, only to get home and find out you’ve already bought three. Keeping yourself accountable works wonders.
Buy things as you go
It may sound obvious, but if you know you’re moving and you’re going to need to shop, you can start buying bits and pieces along the way, so it doesn’t seem like a large amount of money all in one hit. Sign up to all the mailing lists of places you think you might need to buy from (you can always unsubscribe when you’re done) - this will keep you in the loop for any sales they may have, and a lot of businesses will give you a discount just for signing up.
Keep everything that you’re buying in labelled boxes, so you can move them straight into the right room once you move in. There’s nothing worse than having to rifle through boxes of books to find those measuring cups you bought six months ago.
Shop smart
It’s no secret that furniture and whitegoods can be expensive, but the world of retail is nothing if not predictable. There are sale periods that pop up every year - think End of Financial Year, Black Friday, Boxing Day. Now more than ever, it’s any excuse to have a sale. Brands like Afterpay will have dedicated campaigns every few months or so, so it’s always best to keep an eye on prices if you’re looking at something in particular, and see how low it can go.
Take advantage of platforms like cashback websites, discount codes, influencer codes, and spend and save promotions - get the most out of your money! A lot of businesses will also price match (and often price beat) other stores if you’ve seen it cheaper there and you can prove it, so it’s in your best interest to do your research.
We know just how hard it can be to furnish your first home on a budget - which is why we make such an effort to offer low prices on our furniture all year ‘round. Moving house should be scary and exciting, and you shouldn’t have to worry about the ‘mundane’ things like furniture and appliances. Make your house your home in due time, and enjoy the journey along the way.
