Furniture advice? Alternatives to Ikea?

[tomson75]

I'm moving into a new apartment this weekend, and I've been furniture shopping for a few days. I've found some interesting deals at Ikea and Homedecorator.com, but would like to utilize as many resources as possible.

I'm on a very limited budget as I just bought a second vehicle (ford f-150 fx4 that doesn't exactly get the best mpg). I'm in need of a living room set first and foremost, and I'd like to update the bedroom as well. I'd like to keep the two as sets for the most part, or at the very least very similar in design....and I'd like to keep the cost below $3500 to $4000.

Any advise?

...and since I'm a single guy, I tend to prefer the more contemporary styles, but nothing "flaky". Just simple and functional.

 

[Faerluna]

Target has decent build-it-yourself furniture thats a step above the super cheap stuff. They also have a sale on furniture for 15% off orders over $125. Some stuff even has free shipping as well.

 

[hairic]

Have you tried lawn furniture?

Simple, effective, and easy to clean.

 

[theogt]

Target has decent build-it-yourself furniture thats a step above the super cheap stuff. They also have a sale on furniture for 15% off orders over $125. Some stuff even has free shipping as well.

+1

Had some Target furniture (tv armoire, etc.) in college and it was surprisingly good quality -- for Target.

 

[tomson75]

Have you tried lawn furniture?

Simple, effective, and easy to clean.

No, but if I go with the Target option, I may have enough left over to buy some lawn furniture for my deck.

As for the target stuff, some of it looks pretty good, but I'm definitely trying to go for real wood stuff...I hate that particle board crap. Some of that stuff doesn't clearly state which one it is.

 

[Wolfpack]

www.funkysofa.com

www.cb2.com

www.potterybarn.com


just some quick ideas with a range of prices. I can did up more from work if you need them.

 

[ologan]

It may sound funny,but you may be able to pick up a piece or two at local thrift stores....Goodwill,Habitat for Humanity,etc. I'm not saying expect to get everything you want,but you may be surprised. And anything you save may help with that new big screen you will need.....Or a partial tank of gas for the F-150!

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Craigslist.

I have gotten some GREAT pieces of furniture on that site.

Alot of people buy stuff and put it in that room they never use and you get it for a fraction of the cost.

 

[WoodysGirl]

You could also look at Greensheets or local Trade and Times-type newspapers. Don't know if they have Greensheets in your area, but down here, it's basically an advertising paper. In it is where a bunch of local vendors advertise their wares...include furniture stores.

It's where you can get some reasonably-priced furniture within your range.

When I was in undergrad, I pretty much re-furnished my place by going to small mom-and-pop furniture stores. Where the store might be about the size of a store front, but they order stuff from a catalog and have a nice size warehouse.

 

[tomson75]

Craigslist.

I have gotten some GREAT pieces of furniture on that site.

Alot of people buy stuff and put it in that room they never use and you get it for a fraction of the cost.

You could also look at Greensheets or local Trade and Times-type newspapers. Don't know if they have Greensheets in your area, but down here, it's basically an advertising paper. In it is where a bunch of local vendors advertise their wares...include furniture stores.

It's where you can get some reasonably-priced furniture within your range.

There you go, I didn't even think about going that route. Those are excellent ideas. Thanks.

When I was in undergrad, I pretty much re-furnished my place by going to small mom-and-pop furniture stores. Where the store might be about the size of a store front, but they order stuff from a catalog and have a nice size warehouse.

That's pretty much what I've been doing to this point. Only our mom and pop joints are usually used furniture....making matching sets few and far between. I'm moving into an upscale place (at least for where I live), and i'd like the interior to match the exterior/zoning. I could go that route again, but I lack the ability to visualize the look until its actually "in the room"...hence me letting someone else do the majority of the work for me. :

 

[WoodysGirl]

There you go, I didn't even think about going that route. Those are excellent ideas. Thanks.



That's pretty much what I've been doing to this point. Only our mom and pop joints are usually used furniture....making matching sets few and far between. I'm moving into an upscale place (at least for where I live), and i'd like the interior to match the exterior/zoning. I could go that route again, but I lack the ability to visualize the look until its actually "in the room"...hence me letting someone else do the majority of the work for me. :

Well the places that were in the Greensheets sold new furniture... The big thing is you don't need alot of furniture to make a place nice. It's about getting the right accessories.

At those place, you can get a couple of big items. sofa, love seat, a coffee table, couple of end tables for around $1k, depending on what you want. And then you can buy plants, rugs, paintings, and other stuff to "nice" it up.

The one thing I've learned over the years is don't expect to do any one-stop shopping. You're gonna go a few places to really design it the way you want.

 

[bbgun]

The one thing I've learned over the years is don't expect to do any one-stop shopping. You're gonna go a few places to really design it the way you want.

You do realize you're talking to a man, right? Function before aesthetics.

 

[peplaw06]

That's pretty much what I've been doing to this point. Only our mom and pop joints are usually used furniture....making matching sets few and far between. I'm moving into an upscale place (at least for where I live), and i'd like the interior to match the exterior/zoning. I could go that route again, but I lack the ability to visualize the look until its actually "in the room"...hence me letting someone else do the majority of the work for me. :

You're a bachelor and looking for matching sets??

 

[WoodysGirl]

You do realize you're talking to a man, right? Function before aesthetics.

If he has a woman, she'll talk him into aesthetics..

 

[MapleLeaf]

...is predicated on purchasing decisions based on a host of factors other than functionality.

Friends I have in the business of furniture production love it and hate the used furniture market.

Given that I know one guy at a local factory who buys nothing but used product. He knows the production techniques, the quality and he still feels there are decent pieces on the "for sale" ads.

Go there and save the money for other items you need.

Often pickings may not match your colour preference, but if you are flexible you may find that fuschia divan for an incredible bargain because no one else can come to grips with that piece.

If your mind is willing you can decorate with a host of what they call "accent pieces".

Good luck!

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

There you go, I didn't even think about going that route. Those are excellent ideas. Thanks.

I have gotten some REAL NICE pieces for myself and for others over the past 2 years. It all depends on patience and searching.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I have gotten some REAL NICE pieces for myself and for others over the past 2 years. It all depends on patience and searching.

Are you still talking about furniture?












:laugh2:

 

[tomson75]

You're a bachelor and looking for matching sets??

:laugh2:

I'm getting too old and out of shape to win over the ladies with my charming personality and good looks....now I actually have to pretend that I have money.

Thanks for help people. If I go the personal "design" route, I'll take some pics so you folks can laugh your arses off.

 

[Faerluna]

I was thinking about you the other night as we were watching The Verminators .

They were showing a woman that had gotten some free furniture off of Craigslist or something similar, and the mattress she got was saturated with bedbugs and bedbug eggs.

GROSS!

uke:

 

[peplaw06]

:laugh2:

I'm getting too old and out of shape to win over the ladies with my charming personality and good looks....now I actually have to pretend that I have money.

Thanks for help people. If I go the personal "design" route, I'll take some pics so you folks can laugh your arses off.

I've actually read some of that book.... and I have put some of it's advice to good use.

But my living room furniture is all mismatched.