5 Tips for Furnishing Your First Home

Buying your first home is such an exciting milestone. But once you're standing in your own empty living room, you realize there's another big step you have to tackle: furnishing that home. When furnishing your Carroll County home, it's important to prioritize the right rooms and items. Take things slowly and embrace your own style. Our real estate agents have a few more specific tips that should prove helpful along the way.

1. Make a List of Necessities
   Furnishing your home will seem less overwhelming if you're able to nail down exactly what you need. Start by making a list of absolute essentials.
   
   If you're starting with nothing, this list should likely include a dining table and chairs, a sofa, an entertainment center, a bed, and a dresser. Other furnishings, like a decorative ottoman or a dining room buffet, can wait until after you've purchased the necessities.
   
   
2. Reuse and Recycle When Possible
   You can often lower your furnishing costs considerably by reusing and re-purposing things you already own. For example, perhaps you can use the old coffee table from your first apartment as a shelf for shoes in your entryway. Or perhaps your old dresser could work as a makeshift TV stand once you put a new coat of paint on it.
   
   Reach out to close friends and family members to see if they have any used furniture you can re-purpose. These items don't have to be your permanent furniture, but they can fill in the gaps until you're able to buy something nicer.
   
   
3. Measure First
   Before you start shopping for furniture for any space, take measurements. Bring these measurements with you to the furniture store, and check them against the dimensions of any furniture you're thinking of buying.
   
   If your home has narrow halls or doorways, measure those, too. This will save you the headache of having furniture delivered only to discover it won't fit into your home.
   
   
4. Curate Your Style
   Now that you're in a home that's truly your own, you will probably want to decorate it in a way that reflects your own interests and sense of taste. Spend a little time browsing Instagram and magazines. Make note of rooms and furnishings that you love and would like to have in your own home.
   
   Ideally, you'll discover that the style you love has a certain name. For example, you may realize everything you're tagging is Shabby Chic or Coastal. This knowledge will help you shop for furniture that suits your style. For instance, if you see a sofa described as Shabby Chic, you'll be prompted to take a second look.
   
   
5. Find a Good Consignment Shop
   You don't have to buy all new furniture. In fact, most people prefer to mix a few new pieces with a few secondhand pieces. Consignment stores are great places to find used furniture in good condition. If you can find one that exclusively sells furniture, that's even better.
   
   Once you find a good consignment store, talk to the owner about the furniture you're still looking for. Often, they'll be happy to keep their eyes open and let you know when something suitable comes in. This approach can help you snag that perfect dresser before someone else gets their hands on it!

Remember, furnishing a home should be fun. Prioritize your purchases, reuse furniture when possible, and take the time to curate your style. Should you still be looking at Jackson homes for sale or North Conway homes for sale feel free to contact us. We'll help you find a gorgeous space that you can enjoy furnishing and decorating to suit your tastes.