Furnishings

For some, this is one of the most exciting tasks a new homebuyer faces is furnishing his or her new home, that moment when a house begins its transformation into a home. Because the majority of the homebuyer's budget has already been exhausted before furniture even comes into question, this also can be one of the most daunting? Great amounts of creativity, time and effortand you have one brilliant recipe for making the most of your decorating budget.

• First things first: prioritize. The temptation to immediately rush out and furnish every nook and cranny of your new home is difficult to resist, but resist you must if you want to avoid racking up an exorbitant amount of debt straight out of the gate. Just go ahead and accept that some things will have to wait. In the meantime, make the most of items you already have. Remember, refurbishing and slipcovers revive the elegance of older pieces, while the thoughtful use of accessories helps to make the most of a space.
• "Think outside of the box." This may very well be the most overused phrase in existence, but the message bears repeating in this case. To furnish a home on a limited budget, it is imperative for new homebuyers to tap into their own creativity and resourcefulness.
• Be ready to roll up your sleeves and put in some time. The process won't be easy, but it will be worth it. Don't skip important steps, like researching the products you're interested in or attempting to negotiate a bargain whenever appropriate.
• A more expensive, high-quality item trumps a cheaper, lower-quality piece any day of the week. Investing in items that offer real longevity, even when they cost more than their less sturdy counterparts, is still the more economical choice.
• Don't rule out used or discount items. "Used" is not the equivalent of "poor quality." Consignment shops, thrift stores, auctions, flea markets and yard sales promise a range of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces at prices that won't make you wince. Meanwhile, manufacturers' "scratch-and-dent rooms" harbor gently damaged goods at bottom-line prices, and many developers are more than happy to discount their showroom samples, or "floor models".

These tips will have you well on your way to furnishing your new home in style, without breaking the bank.