In Search of Advice for Furnishing a New Apartment, Please!

A good bed, the best you can buy. Or upgrade what she has when she can. You need good sleep and proper rest and then you can tackle the world! I would visit every second hand, thrift, antique, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat Re-Store in the area to find which ones she likes best. Then narrow down to those you want to put on your regular route. Do not be tempted to get everything all at once. Start with painting the walls, easier the less stuff you have to move around the better. Slowly add pieces as you come across them or can afford them. If something "speaks" to you, bowl, painting, light fixture, whatever, buy it. Then incorporate it into your overall theme. The best and most interesting as well as cozy and welcoming places are those that have evolved over time and collected.

There is a free section on craigslist where people just want the stuff gone! Also there's a site called free cycle in almost every city. Just google free stuff, then decide what is worth your time and effort. Also check out places like Big Lots and Tuesday Morning, where they get new merchandise every Tuesday Morning. Lots of the stuff you can DIY into your new fave! Good Luck! Hope this helps a little.

Rule #1 Take your time. Don't rush out to "fill the space.

Many really good places have already been mentioned, but I find my very best buys are at garage sales. I'm a "sale'er" I go "sale-ing" nearly every Saturday morning from 7am-noon in my neighborhood. I shop with three main goals in mind. If I "need" something, I'm willing to pay as much as 25% of the retail price. If I "want" something, but don't really "need" it I will pay 10-15% retail. If it is something I didn't know I wanted or needed (fun stuff) I pay around 10% or even less. Buying in bulk, often times scores a tremendous bargain. i.e. $40 worth of glass paints in various colors, I paid $2.

We moved from a 1576 sq ft house to a 3200 sq ft. Lots of walls, lots of space. Everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) on my walls, every item of decor, I bought at garage sales - and I love every piece. Sometimes, I would find something I liked better, but because I probably only paid $2-5, it was easy to let go and replace. Somethings need repaired, or painted. But that's what we do, right craftalolics!

Rule#2 Know the retail prices of things you need to purchase. I "needed" a dehydrator and I wanted an Excalibur (retails around $400). After a massive search I broke down and bought one (reconditioned - which usually means repacked) at Overstock for $169 - more than I wanted to pay. Suddenly one showed up on Craigslist, brand new, still in box for $100. It was listed in a "garage sale" ad and hidden in the picture with a myriad of other things. I rushed to buy it - took a picture and put it on Craigslist for $200 - sold the same day - cash reducing my cost to $69. Later, I found another for $75, used maybe once or twice, bought it for $65 and gifted it to my daughter-in-law.

Rule #3 Always negotiate the price, but don't insult the seller. Don't ask "what's the least you will take", instead: "What's your bottom line?" or "Would you be willing to take $x?" As it gets closer to noon (when most shut down) your bargaining power goes up. I say things like, "I really like it, but I don't really need it, how about $5?" Never insult the seller - "It's a piece of junk, but I'm willing to pay you $x." If it were really "junk" you wouldn't buy it.

Rule #4 Bundling. Something I learned from American Pickers. Look around and notice one or two items, if the price if right ($1-2) value to you, and you find a chair, for example for $20 that you really want and willing to pay $20, then offer to pay the "full price if you throw in these two items. "What if I took the entire container of craft items - how much?"

Rule #5 Engage the seller. I had a seller tell me he was moving, chit chat, chit chat... (For Sale signs in front are a good indicator). He had a lamp which he told me he paid over $1,200 - I later found exact same lamp on the internet for $1,699. He was asking $400, I offered $200 (it was close to noon), he accepted.

Rule #6 Shop for gifts. I cannot begin to tell you how many new-in-the box items I have found that is perfect for a family member and/or friend, but not for me. I have dozens of things in my garage, waiting for the opportunity to gift them. My family and friends, even tell me what to shop for them. They would never tell me what to give them for their birthday. I haven't bought a gift in a retail store for years.

Rule #7 Male or Female seller. I have noticed, that female sellers are willing to "get rid of" tools, and manly things. Male sellers, conversely see little or no value in wifely items. Use that to your advantage. If both hubby and wife are there, go to the husband and ask "how much" for say a mixer. Go to the wife and ask "how much" for a scroll saw. Often, they don't want to spouse to know how much they sold it for, but if the spouse is asked and the price is higher than what the other was thinking, take note of their expression. Now is the time to negotiate!

Rule #8 Manage your money. Take several singles, couple of 5'ers and a 10, put it in your right pocket. Take all your 20's and put it in your left pocket. You do not want to be in a position, where you significantly reduced his/her price and then pull out a wad of $20's. I often leave my money in the car, so I can sort it there. Always take more $$ than you think you need. That $200 lamp could only be had because I had the cash on hand.

Rule #9 When your pockets are empty, or your vehicle is full and can hold no more - go home!

I know this is a lonnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg response, but I just wanted to point out that all this FUN will be missed, you restrict you shopping to thrift shops (they do not negotiate). You will also miss the opportunity to "tell your story" of this great buy. Happy "sale-ing" crafters.

check pinterest for ideas on shabby chic décor. pick the ones you like, say in one picture you like the lamp only, but in another you like the bunnies or butterflies or the diy item. then see what you can find that sorta looks like what you like. see what you can find to upcycle or diy and make it your own.

previous poster said and I agree build over time.

do what you can as you can afford it. take your time as tastes may change over time as you decorate.