If you’ve just bought a place then you’re probably up to your eyeballs in loan repayments, notary fees and expenses that nobody warned you about, so how can you afford to furnish your new pad?

First know what style you’re after and what you want the place to look like. Once you have a clear picture in your mind then you’ll know what to look out for when it comes to furniture and other pieces. It doesn’t mean that you cannot change your mind, it is important to be flexible; however, having a basic idea of what you want will help you to not buy rubbish and not accept any old bits that get thrown your way.

It’s worth giving up your weekends and braving parking problems to shop around different furniture outlets to compare styles, materials and ultimately prices. We all know that IKEA has good prices and a wide range of products; however, it’s not readily available in Malta so scrap that idea and think outside of the box. Go to as many furniture outlets as possible – don’t pre-judge them before you’ve entered the place because you never know when you might find something on sale from an expensive store or your ideal desk bureau from a hole-in-the-wall shop.

Alternatively you could also look into having furniture made by a carpenter. This is not always the cheaper option though, so do your homework before signing on the dotted line.

If your budget is tighter still then be on the lookout for garage sales and car boot sales. These are great places to find pieces of furniture and other items for your house and you could also try bartering for better prices. Remember the old adage that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Obviously, don’t buy trash because it will just end up in the box room gathering dust and you would have eaten into your budget for nothing, but if there’s something you like that belonged to someone else which is still in good condition then go for it. Don’t be put off simply because it’s second-hand, after all that’s what antiques are – just a lot older.

The Classifieds section in the newspaper can turn out to be a treasure trove of surprises, albeit amidst a lot of junk, but finding that ideal table/desk/sofa at a fraction of the cost will be a great relief on your pocket.

Do tell people that you’re looking for furniture – you never know who’ll offer to introduce you to a carpenter, tell you where they got their great bargains or even offer you a piece of furniture that they were thinking of getting rid of. If the latter does happen, don’t be afraid to refuse it if it’s not your style and can’t be revamped. Thank them for their generosity and just explain that it won’t suit the style of the room. Helping people get rid of their unwanted furniture by taking it for them will not solve your furnishing difficulties, it will just give you less space and more clutter.

Remember that you don’t have to buy everything at once! If you can only afford to buy art for one wall, then stick to that and be creative with another wall. Frame some of your favourite photos and hang them up; you can get them blown up if you want to cover more wall space.

Furnishing your home should be a fun and creative process where you can express yourself and throw your style at every wall in the place. Be creative and be flexible with your ideas. Sometimes you won’t find exactly what you’re after; however, if you keep an open mind you might find something better.

Style Tips

• Upholstery can be expensive so use throws and cushions to brighten up an old sofa.
• Buy design and craft magazines to get inspiration and ideas that you could implement. They’ll also teach you tips and tricks such as how to spruce up old furniture.
• Art is lovely but not always affordable. Prints, however, can be just as lovely and so can their price. If those are still out of reach, then select your favourite photos and adorn your walls with memories.
• Plants give colour and life to a room. If you invite people over, ask them to bring you a plant rather than a box of chocolates.
• Do browse online stores for good deals – just make sure that the charges of shipping won’t end up costing you more than had you bought from a local shop.
• Be creative! If you don’t have a vase for your fresh flowers, grab a jug or a pint glass from your kitchen cupboard,  fill it with water, place your flowers and voilà, a just-as-good-as vase at no cost.
• If your place needs a paint spruce up, gather your friends with the promise of pizza and beer, give them a paint brush each and get them painting. Best to keep the beer till after the painting is done!
• Remember, less can indeed be more. Furnish slowly, carefully and have fun with it!

Published in HOMES & DESIGN, The Sunday Times