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DEL.ICIO.USScrimp or Splurge on Furniture?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
These are tough economic times, which puts a little pinch in my home furnishing plans.
The most important items remaining on my “still to purchase” list are fairly big ticket, namely a new sofa and chairs and those are things on which I’m not willing to scrimp.
I admit I cut corners in my office by purchasing my massive desk from Ikea (this despite swearing I would never buy furniture there once I got a real home).
Here’s my desk which came in at just a few hundred dollars.
Still just as it goes in fashion, when times are tight, the mixing of high and low becomes a necessity.
Which furniture items would you be willing to go low on?
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: design solutions
Comments
By Ann
August 26, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
I save money and get great furniture. The secret is not insisting that you get brand new shiny stuff. You can find good quality solid wood furniture with a little bit of character to it much cheaper than the pressed wood stuff held together with glue. Besides after you ding it a couple of times the new stuff doesn’t look new anymore.
By Maniac is accurate
August 26, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
It’s not splurging, it’s investing. Buy real furniture. I never want to put together “furniture,” again. For sanity’s sake and having something your kids can actually use after you die … buy real furniture. Particle board stinks!
By CBL
August 26, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
Furnishings are an investment. Just watch Antique Roadshow. The early colonial designs may be dated and boring, but they’re timeless and hold (or gain) value. Most of them are put together very very well. IKEA furniture serves a temporary purpose, but rarely would have a useful life beyond the latest trends.
By poorteacher
August 26, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Keep an eye at your local Goodwill. I have furnished a guest room and basement rec room there with just a little elbow grease (refurnishing wood). The good stuff will hold up for a long time and just need touch ups. Plus its already put together!
By Nedra Rhone
August 27, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
I definitely understand the concept of furniture as an investment, but when you simply don’t have the cash, where do you go? Poorteacher suggests Goodwill. But what would you be willing to buy at goodwill? In my case, a desk maybe, but a sofa.. I’m not sure I would go there.
By Celeste Alexnder
August 28, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
as a budget conscious designer I reccomend looking online at some of the popular community sites sometimes even free things are just what you’ve benn looking for. Why not reupholster an old sofa that has great bones.