Intricacies of buying furniture

2 days ago
2 min read

One of my worries when I saw that there are only unfurnished apartments for rent was that I will end up spending too much money. Finances was the common denominator for a few of my fears. I thought: ok, I will spend all these money on so much furniture and what will I do with it when and if I decide to move? I'll need to pay for its storage, or sell it for less. I'll loose anyway!

I told myself the best is to find a furnished apartment.

That proved to be impossible.

For months there were only unfurnished apartments within my budget. Not one of them with even a sofa, or at least an armchair. Seeing this, I eventually accepted my fate and ended up excited about the prospect of having a blank space as it gave me the opportunity to decorate exactly how I wanted, with the colours I wanted, living with/on the items in the design I chose myself.

I started to research and to budget.

Ikea was the first shop I thought about and when I added everything in the basket I realized that some items are too expensive for how they look like, some are too basic and have no personality, and everything was black and white. I needed something else.

I looked at various furniture shops: too expensive especially the sofas and the bed frames.

Dunelm was another option.

They have nice things, many which are budget friendly. However, when I added everything in the basket I realized that I now have personality and colour, but they cost for too much money for what I am willing to pay.

A combination between them and Ikea did not work as I could not see how all their pieces that fit my budget would fit together as they looked from different worlds and they did not go well with each other.

Then I realized: Amazon has all sorts!!!

Went online and within minutes I found all I needed. So many wonderful pieces that: had personality and colour, fit the budget (hell: they were much cheaper and nicer than everything else I saw), complimented one another, and many able to be delivered next day.

The apartment now has a combination between Amazon and Dunelm. Everything is from Amazon except: the sofa, an armchair, a floor lamp, a side table to the armchair, my standing desk, and the curtains.

Your first furniture after you take the plunge does not have to be the most expensive or the most glamorous. It has to be practical and meet your basic needs.

You'll have plenty of time to upgrade after you've settled, after you've gotten used to this new way of living, after you've made peace and integrated all the feelings that come after you make the move, after you figure out if the apartment or the city or the neighbourhood you live in now is really what you want or what makes you comfortable.

Here's everything I bought (and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases):