We all know that as a newlywed {or anyone in the current economy} money is tight, and even if money isn’t too tight, everyone still loves to save money, yes?  YES! well you should anyway.
While we’re in this transitional phase of our lives {will this phase ever end?!} we may be moving around quite a bit and along with moving comes the loss of belongings, mainly furniture.  It’s somewhat unavoidable.  Sometimes the moving expenses are too much and that old couch gets left behind.  Sometimes your husband moves you off to a Caribbean island and you can only take 2 suitcases with you.  Sometimes you are completely sick of your old stuff and want to start anew – but who can afford to do such a thing? YOU CAN!

First and foremost make friends with someone with a pick up truck.
Seriously!  There are so many FREE things out there if you have the means to transport them!
If you don’t have a friend or neighbor willing to let you borrow their truck you can rent from Budget Truck Rental for as low as $20 a day and .50cents per mile, so if you’re only going across town you could do this for under $30bucks!  Not bad when we’re talking about FREE furniture!!
Where do you find said free furniture you asked?

On the street corner of course! My second piece of advice is to ignore what the furniture piece looks like on the surface.  Look for good structure, clean lines, and upholstered items that don’t smell too terrible.
Many of times I have seen chairs, tables, desks, etc sitting out on the curb waiting to be picked up by the first lucky person with a truck!  That person could be you!

Other places to get freebies include FreeCycle, Craigslist’s free section, and other community organizations.  Search Facebook for a recycling/free page in your area.  I am a member of one at home and people are always posting items they have for free and are just looking for someone to haul it away!
Can’t find what you’re looking for for free?  Check out the local thrift stores, second hand stores, yard sales, estate sales… you know the drill.  I am almost estatic about the thought of moving back to America and scouring every thrift shop in my tri-state area for furniture for our apartment. eeeee!!

Now, what to do with all this old mismatch furniture?
Wash it, sand it, paint it, mod-podge it, the options are endless!!

1. Paint – you can find it discounted when stores mix the wrong color.  Check around the counter for oops paint at your local home improvement store, and if you don’t see any, ask!  For furniture it’s best to use a satin or semi-gloss and in my opinion a latex paint.  But always sand and prime first!!  If you paint directly onto a surface with a glossy finish it will often bubble or flake off.  Sand the surface, make it rough, to give the paint something to hold onto!  And if you’re doing a primer (do a primer) make sure it’s a latex primer with a latex paint or an oil based primer with oil paint.

Laurie at House to Your Home posted about the great transformation she did to a little side table.  Admit it, you’ve see tables similar to this at the Goodwill or on the curb more times than you can count, right?  Did you ever think it could turn out this fabulous?  A couple coats of paint, a stencil, and some new drawer pulls!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Paper -  I wasn’t joking with I said Mod-podge it!  Scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, wall paper, any kind of paper can be used to create a unique piece!

 

Also consider contact paper.  I used contact paper to transform my refrigerator and bring some color into the kitchen!  I love this use of contact paper to beautify a filling cabinet.  Don’t be afraid to go a little more dramatic with the tons of options in prints of contact paper!

{via}

 3.  Re-upholster – does that word scare you?  I’m not talking about taking on an entire sofa, but maybe a chair?  Anyone can do a simple chair or bench! Anyone!  All you need is a staple gun. {ok so not really, but pretty much!}  Redbook Magazine has a great, simple tutorial!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{via}

Have you ever took on the task of redoing some furniture?? Ever found something awesome for free?
Okay get to work on reviving all that old furniture and next week we’ll talk about tying it all together!