No matter which upholstered item it might be, such as sofa, chair, or even an ottoman, they too carry the risks mentioned regarding mattresses but also the risk of critters such as cockroaches and fleas or even mice secretly dwelling inside. It's also possible that a temporary remedy to mask the odors of pets, urine or vomit has been used and in a short time you're going to regret the smell that will inevitably show up because those fluids seep down inside and are nearly impossible to remove.
Besides the above mentioned concerns it's more than likely that the mattress is too worn to give your body the sleep support it needs and that the sofa or chair are simply too used to truly be comfortable.
By Deeli from Richland, WA
Night stands in the bathroom also work well and look great. They serve a purpose and are easy to find without investing too much money. So, always think outside the box, that is what makes your home yours.
The cheaper furniture, like from IKEA or Big Lots, can be beautiful with a little work. You can spray paint to change color, add fabric to door panels, or the change the hardware. You also can create an expensive look by changing the hardware.
Go online or to the library and look at how trimming the doors on a cabinet gives you a totally new piece. Think how you can take something you may not need in bedroom and use it in another way. Personally I don't like the "show room" look - make it yours. You'll have one of a kind furniture without the one of a kind price.
If you have, or find, left over nursery furniture it can be changed to fit elsewhere in your home. A changing table makes a wonderful side table or even a bar with a little work and imagination. That one table you have to hold a lamp in small child's room is one thing you shouldn't pass up. Take it and change the color. If it has hardware, change that. What a great addition to the bathroom!
Always look in the back of stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, and Kohls. My friends, great finds are hiding there at super great prices. In big box stores, usually these items are in the middle of the store. Check furniture stores when they sell what have been floor displays. All of this is brand new furniture, quite often name brand at marked way down prices.
Hotels and motels have auctions when they redecorate. You can get beds, dressers, and night stands for little investment. Some even have desks. So make sure you do not make fast purchase. Saving money is so much joy. With a little work you have your own one of a kind look.I got these ideas by reading magazines, shopping at thrift stores, and I love decorating shows. This is how I have redone my whole apartment. I get compliments always, with nobody knowing it was used, found, or refinished.
By Luana M. from San Diego, CA
Maybe you need a mattress and someone else needs a dresser, or a single guy would like a home cooked meal in exchange for changing the oil in your car; laundry in exchange for yard work. So many things like babysitting exchanges, car pooling exchanges, exchange rental movies for a night. Just put your mind to it and you will come up with something you can get for nearly free or the cost of your labor. Good luck!
By Tracey from Thomasville, GA
A few of my friends even swap furniture with me and each other. Sometimes we sell the item cheap (between our own sales) and sometimes we just swap pieces that we each need. It is a great way to change the look of your home and still know that you're not picking up any bedbugs or other unwanted pests.
As our life style changes, we move to different homes or as our parents move in and our children move out, swapping furniture is a great way to maintain a sense of creativity without spending much money. One word of caution, you should be clear about the permanency of the pieces and the alterations the new owner/borrower can make with each swap.
I also have gotten pieces from friends and relatives that they just wanted removed. Often times I will refinish or paint the item, add new fabric or hardware, even cushions. After I've used it for a few years, I may find something else to fill the purpose better and I re-sell it at my own sale. Much of the time I have made a bit of money on the item when I do sell it.
Swapping or buying at garage sales allows me to pick up a piece that I need to purchase new more easily and faster than if I bought everything as a new purchase. I also don't feel badly if a garage sale item I've re-done, gets ruined or replaced. I have to say my customers love my garage sales and often give me their names and numbers to call next time I have a sale. I usually get close to my asking prices and sell larger items fairly soon in the sale.
Using these simple and fun ways to shop will not only save you money, but you will have a lot more places to shop (like at your girl friends' homes, lol). Scheduling your garage saling with friends is also a cheap way to spend a day with your friends. Have fun!
By Susan from Elkhart, IN
Smaller towns will often encourage a spring and/or fall clean-up time lasting from a few days to a week or more. Often people will place on the curb perfectly good items that may only need a good cleaning or a new coat of paint. If one is a bit talented and has access to the proper tools, some items need a bit of fixing. I know people who put perfectly good items (that they no longer need) on the curb during town clean-up knowing and hoping that someone will pick it up.
By Marlene from Altona, Canada
It's great to have useful, durable and attractive furniture but even low quality furniture can be expensive. Here are some tips for saving money on furniture. Please post your own ideas below. By Jan in NC
By Bambi
By COOKIEPOM
By Lisa
By momma30
By Jojo
By Gail
By Susan
Frugal furniture tips and ideas. Post your ideas!
By camo_angels04/19/2006We keep our ears open for people moving (we were blessed to buy a solid wood entertainment center and 27" tv and dvd player for 300 after a fire!) We also do trading, either services or goods. A lot of the furniture we have is from clearance at furniture stores, or were dings or on display. But once we buy, we keep it for as long as we can. Even the Walmart stuff! I have sterlite containers I use for bedside tables, and an old trunk I use for an extra seat in the living room. I like to use milk crates as "decorator" tables, or under them, for the storage capabilities. If it can not serve that purpose, I don't want it in my house!
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Saving Money on Furniture