Just about to move into your new house? Even if you’re on a tight budget, it’s still possible to deck out your pad with everything you need. Here are our top tips for doing exactly that.

Needs vs Wants. First, create a list of all the things you’ll need to furnish your new home. If you’re on a budget, stick to items you can’t live without and worry about ‘wants’ later on.

Buy second-hand. You can often find high-quality second-hand items at a fraction of the cost of buying them new. Hunt for used furniture, decor and appliances at your local charity store, on online platforms like Gumtree, eBay and Facebook Marketplace, and furniture auctions.

Save on delivery. If you’re buying furniture, appliances and other household goods from several different stores, delivery fees can add up. Instead, collect them yourself. Use a car to pick up smaller items or book a van for larger ones to save on those hefty delivery fees.  

Keep an eye out for freebies! There are lots of online marketplaces where members give away items at zero cost, including furniture, appliances, decor and other household goods. Check out Facebook for local ‘buy/swap/sell’ and ‘buy nothing’ groups.

Wait for the sales. If you can hold off on certain items, waiting until sales periods to buy them is a great way to save money. Everything from kitchen appliances and white goods to furniture goes on sale at multiple times throughout the year, with retailers offering serious discounts on their wares.

Invest in key items. Spend more on the things you use most often, such as your sofa and mattress. Even though they might involve a higher up-front cost, they’ll last longer, and you won’t have to shell out more money replacing them.