You’re ready to start school, and you’ve just found the perfect Houston student apartment. Now you need to give it your own personal style—but money’s tight. What to do? Our back-to-school series continues with these tips for furnishing your new home on the cheap.
Craigslist
It’s amazing what you can find on Craigslist! Search the “Furniture” section of the “For Sale” category, of course. If you have items or skills of your own to trade, consider looking through the “Barter” section, too, or posting your own ad there. Just clearly state what you want and what you have to offer in exchange. And don’t forget to check out the “Free” section. Furniture is so bulky that many people who are moving or redecorating are willing to give away amazing pieces (We’re talking beds, shelving, tables, dressers, and more!) for free, as long as you’re able to haul it away. What if you and your friends don’t have a vehicle big enough to pick up the furniture you want? Place an ad under the “Labor” section of “Gigs” to find a strong person with a truck. You’re likely to find someone to do a one-hour moving job for about $20.
Furniture Consignment Shops
If you’d rather browse through a store, check out a furniture consignment shop. Stores like 2nd Debut Furniture Resale and Repeat! Consignment Superstore, both in the Westchase District, accept gently used furniture from people like you, then resell it, giving a percentage of the sale price to the original owner. The quality of items at consignment shops is more reliable than on Craigslist. The shop’s reputation is at stake, so shop staff carefully examine each piece that’s brought in, and reject those that are in poor shape. You may not find quite as amazing a deal, but you can count on your new purchase standing up to many school years’ us
IKEA
If it’s only brand-new for you, or if you can’t find just what you want secondhand, drop by the IKEA store at Katy Freeway and Antoine. Specializing in clean-lined, efficient, inexpensive Scandinavian-style furnishings, IKEA is a favorite of young single people, college students, and divorcees everywhere. If you’d like a coordinated bedroom set or a living room where everything matches, IKEA is the place to be. It’s also a great place to find desks, shelving, and closet organizers that will insure that everything you need this semester will be easy to find and easy to put away.
What’s that? You haven’t found the perfect student apartment yet? Houston Apartment Insiders can help! Just call us at 713-581-1055 (866-918-4022 toll-free if you’re outside the area now) or contact us online.
Posted by Melanie Belasco Levy on 08/26/10
