mullethunter Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 When we get into our new house (fingers crossed!) we are going to be pretty skint, and own almost no furniture. I'm happy to buy second hand for a lot of stuff, but would prefer new sofa's etc. Anyone have any tips for where to get decent cheap stuff? Online alone not really that great as you can't try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Blag off family and get things from friends or freecyle until you can save up to afford decent, quality stuff. I was left with almost nowt after the ex left, and we sat on borrowed chairs/cushions and ate off a picnic table while I saved up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 I think if budget is very low, its probably best to start off with second hand and then replace when funds allow. There are lots of charity furniture shops around so that might be a good place to start. You need to be quick as the good stuff goes fast. Ikea sofas are good if you do want new. My sister in law has a sofa bed of theirs which is very comfortable to sleep on as well as sit on, which in sofa beds is very unusual. Another place is ebay. If you really want new then there is a place called sofasofa, who do really good value sofas for not a huge price. http://www.sofasofa.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Blag off family and get things from friends or freecyle until you can save up to afford decent, quality stuff. I was left with almost nowt after the ex left, and we sat on borrowed chairs/cushions and ate off a picnic table while I saved up. Gosh exactly the same as me!! The only difference was it was my ES dad who broke in to my flat and took everything I owned....everything! (I could write a book) Even my saucepan's so had to beg and borrow the basics but it makes you appreciate the furniture you Choose to have when you get it, it's an exciting time for you and i wish you love and luck x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Also local auctions in Jan Feb.An auction near us clears out the display models posh furniture shops don't shift in the sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 If you want new stuff, Ikea is good value. Doesn't last forever but it tided me over post-divorce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 (edited) Ikea for me too! I have everything Ikea. Bed, closet, couch, tables, book cases, laminate flooring, chairs. You name it, I have it! A average couch of Ikea will last you at least a year or five, before they start suffering from some wear. Edited November 30, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Hah! Our first house - we had to remove the carpet everywhere as it was flea infested. Lucky for us we were still doing it up before getting married and moving in so we sprayed and it was left empty for 2 months. When we did move in we had underlay as our carpet (hmmm familiar scenario at the moment minus fleas) and we borrowed the in-laws garden chairs until we could get something nicer. Number one son got his settee from a free ads thing. We did wonder why it was so darned heavy - it had a dismantled cupboard inside it!!!! It was horrible but for £20 it did the job. He also had our sofa bed and he had his own double bed in any case. We went to a market in Slough for our table and chairs which really was cheap. We went to a furniture shop and we had hysterics and had to rush out of the shop when he said "no sir, that's the cushion and not the chair!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share Posted November 30, 2014 Thanks all. I think we'll definitely go down the charity shop route for most stuff, but IKEA may be the go for sofa's. Although Grandmashazzie that sounds good - I'll see if anywhere down here does that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I would say try your local auction room. We have been along a few times and you can pick up amazing bargains (full sized ercol dining table and 6 chairs went for £50!!!) You can go along to the auction room the day before the sale to have a look at the stuff. People seem to go to auctions mainly for the more quirky stuff and furniture gets ignored. Catalogues are usually online - our local one does fortnightly sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 It might be worth an approach to the people that you are buying the house from or renting from, because they may have stuff that they don't want to take. Our first place we ended up with a three piece suite and dining table and chairs from the sellers and beds, a fridge and cooker from our the landlord of the flat that we had been renting because he was selling up. We paid peanuts for a couple of the items and others we got free. Then keep an eye out for offers on sofas. Our current sofa was a fab bargain from a local furniture chain, excellent quality, but they were selling off the range in readiness for a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I can only echo what's already been said - don't bankrupt yourselves trying to buy everything now - it's well worth asking around family and friends, you'll be amazed what people are getting rid of - then with sofas etc you can get some really nice and inexpensive throws and cushions as a cover up - you won't feel like you are sitting on someone else's furniture then (honestly, I've been there!). My brother had my grandparents' old sofa when he bought his first house and passed it on to me when I bought my first house - I ended up keeping it for eight years - there was basically nothing wrong with it, it was just a bit old and battered, but like I say, with throws on, it was fine! Auctions are very good (well, obviously, it depends what they have on any given day, but they tend not to sell anything that's too grotty). Just make sure you set a limit on what you are prepared to bid and stick to it. Also bear in mind auction fees and the cost of getting anything you buy home. Have fun!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Try your local Gumtree! You can refine your search area to within a few miles of your postcode for ease of collection and it amazing what people want shot of for near enough nowt May have to think about hiring a van tho unless you have a big car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Freecycle or Freegle and charity shops for everything until you can afford your choice. Individual item requests are more likely to get a response on Freecycle/Freegle than the "I want everything" ads. Charity shops have the advantage that you can see and feel the actual goodies before you decide if you want them and you can always recycle them when you can afford something you really want. Only took me nearly 20 years to get the new suite and dining furniture I'd been promising myself since I first left home ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 DFS.... I Know...but when my son split with his partner and she kept everything, we had to get stuff and fast, brought quite a nice sofa for him, over 4 years and I pay less than £15.00 a month really quite comfy and certainly helped him over a tough time and no money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 1, 2014 Author Share Posted December 1, 2014 DFS is too expensive unless they're having a MASSIVE sale I hadn't thought of auctions - there're loads around here. Not sure if it's a good idea though - me and my mum went once to buy a wardrobe and came back with a lovely wooden box and some silver cake forks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
