yes! I bought my first home (a small condo) almost 2 years ago and followed many of these guidelines to deal with being housepoor. I'd also add as pointers:
1) Practice patience! It can take a long time to find the right items at the right price, so it can be months or even years before your home starts to take shape and feel like "you". Doing some research can help inform what you can get cheaply or for free and where it's worth making an investment.
2) Remember you aren't married to anything you get - half the fun of decorating is the process and seeing how a space can evolve as you add and replace things. You can always craigslist something you don't love! (I did this with a $30 coffee table purchase, resold for $100)

I would say to be open minded when taking furniture from family and friends. My husband was shocked when I accepted a small convertible love seat from his aunt when we were first married -- it was plaid, in colors that didn't go with our planned living room. But it was a great piece! We covered it with an indian cotton bedspread for years, and I've since had it reupholstered twice -- once in a kid-proof print, and now that we're empty-nesters, in an off-white canvas. And it still works as an extra comfortable bed for the unexpected guest. So think ahead -- you might be surprised.

After turning 40 last summer I realized it was time to have an "adult" apartment. Not that my stuff wasn't adult...I had just had it for so long and my taste has evolved over the last 20 years. So..I set out to do as much as I could with my rental. Now, I am ALMOST done (still debating the drool worthy end tables and have to paint) and I think I have been pretty successful. My tips would include:

Be patient. EVERYTHING goes on sale at some point. You might have to be patient, but if you can wait you might hit the jackpot. I bought brand new (in-season) Calvin Klein sheets for almost 70% off , barely sat floor models (a Bernhardt tuxedo sofa and chair and a half) for 60% off and discontinued leather wing chair that I absolutely LOVE from Crate and Barrel over for 40% off (and they NEVER have good sales).

I did a lot of shopping online, even if it was just to compare prices before I went to a brick and mortar store.

I had to do some give and take. Like most people, I had a budget I wanted to stick within. That means, I had to get a few knock offs (Kartell lamps, Emeco and Eames chairs) so I could get the things I REALLY wanted but were never going to be at a great discount. Would I love to have the authentic pieces? Of course, but right now, this will have to do.

Not everything has to be expensive, you just have to love it. I particularly think this is true about art. Yes, I have a few expensive pieces, but I have also framed photos I have taken, post cards I bought on vacation and other unusual things (usually gifts). I think in addition to loving it, it is also nice if it has a little story behind it (all of my art does). The more personal your "art" the better.

Lastly, I would emphasize that you should NEVER compromise on something important. I know it sounds like I am contradicting myself, but hear me out. If you don't compromise, you will never look at something and think, "I should have bought the (insert item here)". That being said, if you find a suitable replacement, one that you can accept as much as you could the item you not buying...then I say go for it. I have wanted a certain brand of dishes for years but they are astronomically expensive and I can't justify it. Last year, I came upon IKEA's new "china" (the SKYN pattern) and I LOVE them. For me, they may not be exactly the same, but they have the same vibe and that is more than fine by me. Right now I am debating some gorgeous end tables I found (that has been very difficult since they need to be a minimum of 27" high since my sofa's arms are 33" high). I have found NOTHING that is remotely similar. I have gone in all different directions look wise and always come back to the fact that I don't love it as much as the original very expensive tables I found. I am trying to convince myself that I saved all the money in other areas so I could have these.

No lie...when all is said and done...I probably will have saved around $9,000 (more than half of what I would have paid if nothing was on sale) being "the savvy shopper". I know recycling furniture and using Craigslist (which is only really handy if you live near a large metropolitan area...the stuff on ours is JUNK) is popular on here, but oh well. I have a few things from late family members that I intend on "bringing up to the year 2012", but I wanted new stuff. There...I said it. LOL

Careful purchasing 'soft' items from thrift stores, craig's list, etc. Fabric covered items can carry little passengers and if you bring that home, you'll infest the rest of your home.
If it's something you absoluty love, keep it outside in a garage if you have one until you can get it reupholstered or professionally cleaned. If you have no storage, get it cleaned immediatley. Everything else, you clean, paint, scrape, refinish.

1.Time. It takes time to find the right things for the right price.
2. Plan. Think about how to combine things and colours and layout ect. Cheap pieces from Ikea & fleamarkets can look adult and (semi)expensive if combined and arranged in an adult, tasteful way, and expensive stuff can look cheap &studenty if done wrong.

I am finally in the process of converting my first adult home into the stuff of my dreams - all at the ripe old age of 39. Lots of sweat equity and weekend evenings spent alone stripping, sanding, and painting. But it's worth it when you finally get to see something turn around. It's also equity building, which is truly awesome!

the one thing I've had to exercise is patience - i want to change out all my existing light fixtures as they are gawdawul ugly. But I'm waiting to find things that are absolutely perfect. One thing that helped me was to add little things that make a big impact. In my case it took MONTHS to get a bath renovated and bedroom done. Stuff like large flower arrangements in the apartment, and painting a door and wall panel a bright orange helped lift my spirits during the long haul.

My suggestion is this: If it's your very first place, get a decent bed that you can actually sleep well on and a sofa (whether new or otherwise) that you like well enough. (Ideally as is, but at LEAST one you can cover neatly if you are not a fan of the upholstery. Slip cover, tailored tucked blanket, whatever.)

Occasional chairs, end and coffee tables, lamps, and other small things are much easier to find cheaply, and therefore can turn over as you continually improve your choices. You can live with a folding card-table as a dining table temporarily if you have to -- a long tablecloth covers a multitude of sins. But insomnia from a crappy mattress ruins our life (for that time period) and a crappy-looking sofa is one of the most "non-adult" looking pieces of furniture, so it will bring down the look of the whole room.

Yeah definitely be careful when buying fabric or upholstered stuff. If it is lightly used or nearly new then it's worth considering but definitely disinfect just in case. Thrift stores, Craigslist and Ikea have fully furnished my apartment.

Other than beds/mattresses and rugs/textiles, I don't think I'll ever buy anything new again. I enjoy the creative process of working with what I can find. I'd echo others and say, though, that patience is the biggest thing you need if you have more taste than money (which is way better than more money than taste, right?). I've learned (through difficult trial and error) not to jump at almost-right things. Because the totally right thing always comes along, eventually. And the key to that patience is appreciating and living well with what you've got.

Learning to sew can be one of the biggest cost savers. I've saved thousands over the years by making drapes, Roman Shades, pillows and slipcovers using sheets, table clothes, upholstery remnants and buying new fabric. (in St. Louis, Baker's Odds and Ends sells large Baker's furniture remnants that are just yummy and at great prices.) Additionally, I don't feel guilty when I move to a new place and decide to do things differently because my sunk costs are so little. Decent sewing machines come as cheaply as $300 these days and can save lots of money on decorating and clothing alterations (although I still let someone else shorten jacket sleeves).

CraigsList has been very kind to me but you have to be patient.

I have gotten so much stuff from my parents house and EVERY single time my older brother comes over he drools over them and puzzles over how I got all the good stuff. It kills him when I tell him all I did was ask!

Freecycle is fabulous! If you have a yahoo account I suggest that you sign up and start looking and asking for items.

Have a realistic budget, work within it, and don't be afraid to reallocate resources within your budget to get that more expensive piece you really want. And when buying adult furniture, make adult decisions! Don't go low quality for things that directly affect your health, like beds and sofas.

The two things I did that made the biggest difference for me between "student!" and "adult!" housing were to hang curtains and frame things for display. If it's not framed, it needs to be presented well; skip the pushpins or masking tape.

Other than that, TJMaxx and Craigslist have been good to me. Also, a furniture liquidation place worked out really well for me when I needed a couch. Don't be afraid to haggle. It can't hurt to ask.

Don't rush!!! Buy things that move you! Art, furniture, what have you. You will know if it moves you if you wait a few days and it is still on your mind. Of course if it's cheap, buy it.

Love this post, and every single comment written. If only more people in our country would think and shop this way. People would save thousands of dollars (that they are likely borrowing at an awful interest rate) furnishing and decorating their homes.

This is why I love apartment therapy!

Does no one else shop at Ross? They have the same stuff as TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, but for LESS!

I'm a HUGE fan of Craigs List Shopping and have found my best furniture that way. Here are some tips I've written...

1. Tips for Great Finds: http://www.insideways.com/2011/09/5-tips-for-great-craigslist-finds.html

2. Tips for Browsing CL: http://www.insideways.com/2012/03/4-tips-for-browsing-craigslist.html

3. How To Write a Great Email to a CL Seller: http://www.insideways.com/2011/09/5-tips-to-be-one-on-craigslist.html

4. How To Use Your Google Reader to Search CL: http://www.insideways.com/2011/11/google-reader-craigslist-companion.html

Hope they help!!

@NAILBUNNY, I believe the same company owns Ross, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls. Or at least two of the three companies. In any case, it really depends on what you have in your area. These stores don't carry consistent merchandise so you can get really good finds at one TJ Maxx, but terrible finds at a Ross. So Ross might be cheaper for you, but not for other people. In my area, I find that Marshalls and TJ Maxx have much better selection than Ross, and therefore, better pricing (because you won't find what you need at Ross!). And HomeGoods, while more expensive, is better quality than all of the others.

Since we got married about 8 months ago, I've been putting a little allowance on the side every month for home purchases. It really adds up! And will let us buy a dining table in cash instead of putting a huge amount on credit.

Plus when family visits we always ask for what we need -- bed linen, kitchen stuff -- when they ask us what we would like...

@pi HomeGoods, TJMaxx and Marshalls are all owner by the same company. I don't think Ross is unless they were purchased recently. One of my friends swears by Burlington Coat Factory for home decor stuff but I never seem to have any luck there.

I definitely think 'shopping' at your folks can be wonderful! I have some gorgeous pieces from my childhood bedroom - a 60's cupboard, 70's chest of drawers and a 20's timber toy chest.

Australia doesn't have nearly the same amount of retail resources that the US does, and furniture here is a lot more expensive (some things at IKEA are double their price in the US!). There are only a few decent homewares chains. I used spare linen and towels given to me by my parents and waited for the EOFY sales to buy sheets and towels. I got great quality towels and sheets for a fraction of the cost.
Secondhand shopping here can be outrageously expensive (for the good stuff!), because supply is nowhere near demand. My best secondhand purchases were all made driving between capital cities, at a tiny little country town.
I used gumtree (like craigslist) and ebay for a lot of things, and bought things that were cheaper because they needed a lick of paint, or something small repaired, that was easy for me to do.

The other thing I did was dye! I bought a cheap secondhand IKEA sofa (Karlstad), so that I can save up for a decent sofa. It was in great condition, but was an awful pale blue colour and slightly stained, so I dyed it, and made new cushion covers. Made it look like new, and it always gets commented on!

Sadly, I do have a lot of IKEA in my house. It wasn't a conscious decision, but in Australia it is the only home store that sells things of decent-enough quality at affordable-enough prices, especially considering the As-Is section. We have horrible, cheap furniture stores and gorgeous, expensive stores - but nothing in between!

I don't know if it was said earlier but consider your spaces "works in progress." Have good investment pieces (sofa, bed, dining table, and chairs of sorts) but remember your tastes will evolve as you get older. If you have the space, store what you no longer love or if you need to, donate. Paint, linens, rugs, pillows, pictures don't need to break the bank. Buy what you can afford, fix up hand me downs, diy if you can, and be patient for the rooms you have are are like you-always changing.

And have fun!

@Pi, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods are owned by TJX Companies.

I haven't shopped at TJ Maxx in years, but I know Marshalls and HomeGoods are definitely shipped the same merchandise; they even have combined stores.

I don't trust the pricing system at HomeGoods or Marshalls. They often (in my area) have the same items marked with two different prices. At one Marshalls, they had two identical chairs, one with a giant tear. The damaged one was twice the price of the other.

I've shopped at Ross in Florida, Virginia, and New York and I've always found their prices to be lower. Maybe it's an East Coast thing.

Oops, meant New Jersey, not New York.

@michelleb I never have any luck at Burlington, either! But they have a great selection of art.

Great article and comments. Love the tips from Alison6971, especially!

Also, if you are thinking about getting a really nice piece of furniture but want it on sale, or deeply discounted, it's worth a trip to North Carolina's High Point and Hickory furniture outlets. And likewise, when I lived in NC I would find really great, extremely well made american furniture in salvation army and rescue mission type places for dirt cheap. These pieces had great bones and would be very affordable to reupholster and have fixed up.

The great thing about decorating this way is that you will create a home that has patina...not an "instant room all matching from Pottery Barn" which I see all too often.

The one tip I have is to think about other ways a piece of furniture was intended to be used. From my grandmother's attic, I got the beautiful iron base of a sewing machine. The old machine had long been removed. I had a thick glass top cut and now have a conversation-piece hallway table. I also love mis-matched chairs for my dining room - always get compliments on that. I have a 'panel door' (or so it seems to be) that I found on the street - lower portion is solid, upper 2/3's is fretwork. It is put against a wall in the bedroom and is a piece of 'art' of sorts. Beautiful and costs me nothing. I've seen people take an old dresser, repaint it and even remove the top drawer to stack (side-ways) books. Consider yourself blessed if you have to take a few years to put it all together - it will be original!

Don't forget Goodwill and other big thrift stores. Found some awesome stuff there. Best part of Goodwill: they don't pull the good donations for dealers like some charity thrift stores.

I wanted to also say that you should embrace your personality, and don't fall into the trap of decorating how you think people should see you. Don't hide the things you enjoy about life. If you're a movie buff, proudly display your film collection; don't hide it in a closet. If you love books, don't be embarassed that you have a billion James Patterson novels.

My trick has been to purchase classic placeholder pieces that are great deals AND have a high resale value/appeal. I found a beautiful classic beige microfiber couch set on Craigslist for $400 - used lightly for two months and originally costing $1300. They look very nice but I eventually wanted something with more personality. Now I've used them for a couple years while shopping around and saving for the living room set I really want, and when I'm ready to take the plunge, I'll simply resell this set on Craigslist at my original cost or even a small profit.

I'm with @EMMB sewing can really add interest and style for not a lot of cash. I like to shop for wooden chairs with cushions that can be removed. Then I buy some good foam, wrap it in quilter's wool, and recover it with something that matches the decor (you can even use Sunbrella fabric for outdoor use too). In the past, when I had more time, I would make a couple of covers at the same time and swap them out with the seasons. I do that with duvet covers, it can change the room quickly and inexpensively. Check out www.craftsy.com if you want to learn the basics of sewing or your local fabric stores if you prefer a hands-on approach.

I got my kitchen table at an unfinished furniture store-- slightly more expensive than Goodwill, but it's solid wood and I could stain it whatever color I wanted.

I didn't get my own grown-up place until I got married.. and got divorced 4 years ago. I was married for 7 years and we always rented...too scared to buy as he was in the military. Well, once I divorced, and turned 40 I stopped being scared and took chances on everything. I bought my own home (Yay!) and got rid of every thing that "we" had and went for "I". Because of this website, I stopped feeling "funny" about shopping in vintage stores.. I would always go high end and pay full price and never thought twice. Well, when you are down to one income but used to living a certain way, you take chances. Luckily, I had already done all the helpful hints AT has offered...and coming on this website and looking at the wonderful homes here has made me decide to take chances and stop going for the "norm" and I have to tell you I get alot of compliments on my tiny home that I decked out in high end vintage pieces but not high end vintage prices!!! Good Advice AT- Love Ya!

I'm still on my way to grown-up, but I wanted to mention looking for local furniture dealers, especially unfinished. You can get solid unfinished bookshelves cheaper than most IKEA if you look for them. I like Fenton MacClaren in Berkeley myself. Unfortunately, IKEA is pushing a lot of local businesses out.

I agree with previous posts about exercising patience. And don't be afraid to settle now with something cheap when you're in dire need of it (like a bed) and upgrade later on when you find the right piece and can afford it.

I started out with a used living room set from a friend and a shabby vintage bedroom set from Craig's List. Now I've created a personal collection of furniture that reflects my tastes and doesn't look matchy matchy...cultivated from about everywhere mentioned in the article's list. It was about a 7 year process and I'm still not entirely done.

My latest acquisition was a new metal bed. It's the Mendocino bed that Pottery Barn sells for $1200 or so... I got it for $500 direct from the California manufacturer on eBay.

This burned me up so much I had to register to comment - your first apartment as an adult & the very first thing you're going to do as an adult is bludge off your parents! Ask for what you want!!!!!???? When did you say you were going to grow up and how old will you be then?
Your parents must love you so obviously you have some wonderful characteristics, including probably a sharp eye for the things to ask for - you are lucky in your parents too
I know you appreciate it a little because you are going to all the effort of making one cooked meal for your generous parents who may have scraped and saved pennies for years for things you thoughtlessly demand. Maybe you have a brother too and have to get in and get the best stuff before he does.
And after all they won't need as much furniture in the old folk's home so you're doing them a kindness in advance and helping them de-clutter, aren't you? Think about it, please.
I

Wow Stephanie.... how sad for you. Truly, I really feel sorry for you.

In my case, the things I took from home were from my childhood bedroom (my mother turned my room into a guest room, and didn't need all the little storage pieces... why would she keep a battered toy box?). Other things were given to me because my parents were upgrading (ie towels and sheets). I also got given a 50's dining set when my grandfather died.

These days I think it's lovely when parents can help out their children, no matter how old those children may be.

I just moved into my first apartment that I would consider semi-grown up. I am a junior in college yet somehow was able to furnish a two-bed with some pieces from my childhood bedroom (desk/hutch, and dresser) as well as a futon I bought last year. Most of the living room/kitchen pieces (several tables and an armchair/rug) came from craigslist. I live in Chicago and around the end of the month it was incredibly easy to go on the day before I needed to move and start searching for pieces. I was lucky and came across an "everything must go now" sale and was able to furnish the majority of the apartment for a small amount. I was going for quantity over quality and was able to get a good deal on decent items. However

LOL @ Stephanie.

I took a beat up white chest of drawers that had been purchased 24+ years ago as a changing table/dresser for a sibling, and then was in my childhood room, and then was in storage in the basement. I sanded most of the dings out of it and painted it a dark teal color. It was headed for donation since it was no longer of use to my parents. It's the big pop of color in my adult apartment bedroom. I think it's a wonderful thing for families to pass items down that are still useful (many moms have doubles of a lot of kitchen things!) and it allows my empty-nester parents to upgrade and change their own style now that the kids are all moved out.

I agree completely with having patience. I purchased my condo 3 years ago and went hog wild on craig's list. I have bar stools I don't use but being it was craig's list, I'm not terribly hurt by it.
I do say though, if you really love an item regardless of how much it is, purchase it. Things do go on sale but that perfect piece might be perfect to someone else who is willing to pay full price.

Did AT just repost something from March 2012?

Pi, Yes - we republish super-popular posts from the past now and then. You can always check the bottom of the post if you are curious as to its original publish date - we list it there if it is a repost.

another resource no one has mentioned is the loading dock of large apartment buildings, particularly in upscale neighborhoods. at the end of the month, during move out, they can be a treasure trove of awesome stuff. lamps, microwaves, bookshelves, chairs, etc. all sorts of stuff that didnt fit into a u-haul that gets left behind. there is usually a sign that says 'free'. management loves for you to take it so they dont have to pay hauling fees. if you have friends who live in a big building it can be a great way to go.

I'd also add the "build it yourself" option. Furniture isn't nearly as complex as it seems, and sometimes going full-blown DIY is the only way to get more storage space or fit an odd space. I just finished building a bar-height table with storage underneath, which has doubled my counter space and added a great breakfast nook to my apartment.

I'm surprised the conversation here has been so focused on acquiring things, when "de-studentfying" your apartment/home and growing up has just as much to do with getting rid of things, if not more. When it's time to grow up and have an adult home, get rid of the following:

Strings of Christmas lights indoors
Posters without frames (frame them, even with cheap Target frames)
Ratty, threadbare towels
Milk crate furniture
That chipped brass torchiere style lamp in the corner that leans to one side
Your 200 thread count dorm room bedding
That flattened, ancient futon on a tubular metal frame

And I agree, poaching from Mom's house defeats the whole point. Secondhand garbage from your childhood is exactly what makes a college students' apartment look like a college student's apartment. Having a grown up place means cutting the apron strings, dumping the crap and getting your own stuff that's YOURS.

I recommend drawing a floor plan, putting together a mood board and visualizing what you really want before you go buy anything, especially larger pieces. You don't want to end up with a bunch of wrong-sized furniture or mismatched textiles just because they were a great deal.

Love the comments here. Yes, so much of it is about patience. Best thing AT has taught me is that good homes evolve.

Sorry Stephanie-I get your point. People may need to approach this sensitively. But it's been my experience that people have a lot of clutter in their home they wouldn't mind passing on. If your grandparents or parents grew up when they did indeed have to "scrape every penny to buy" they know the value of things and they are more than happy-EVEN TICKLED-when something they have around the house-especially if its in a basement or attic-is going to get put to use. You've got an interest in those old blue mason jars in grandmas basement that she can't use because the old porcelain seals no longer work for canning? You'll probably she's got a big smile on her face that you want to use them to decorate your kitchen. The older generations find younger people wasteful. In their day you had to rely on parents to help you get started in your first home. Back in the day you took your parents old items when you were first starting out. Even if it was borrowing. If you show that you're thinking along the same lines as they did when they were a young couple you'll probably find they are flattered and even complimented.

I recently purchased two danish pieces from an architect on CL. The credenza had doubled as a dining table for him and his wife when they were in their first apartment in 1974. It was the first piece of furniture they had purchased as a married couple. I think it was hard for them to let go of those pieces, but they were happy that instead of sitting around in their garage and taking up space, they were happy the pieces were going to another couple who loved and appreciated them and will probably use them for the next 30 years. I thought they were the best find ever. It used to be harder to recycle things. Some of the older folks that are downsizing and getting rid of things are sort of thrilled that the younger generation has such enthusiasm for their furniture.

@Parnassus-
Some people advocate always buying white sheets and towels so that as you acquire and cull through the years, these things always match.

I myself stick to Costco for sheets, towels and pillows. I'm sure I could run around finding this or that at 70% off, but life it too short. I like Costco for many reasons. They treat and pay their employees well. Their stores aren't a burden to state and city coffers. They recycle. They have great quality items. They stock tons of organic (at least in my Costco), and they never mark things up more than 15% above what they paid. Out of that 15% they pay wages, electrical, etc...all costs of their operation except the price of the building. I'm comfortable with that. Yes, I may find 400 thread count sheets on black friday for less than $59, maybe, but if I can consistently get them for 59$ without having to drive around, I'd rather not waste my short life chasing down that deal.

Kudos to anyone with generous parents -- mine live in a carefully curated, decorated home, and any time I've asked to take anything they've been offended, saying, "we're not dead yet!"

raiding your parents' house is a great. the problem arises when all 5 children want to do the same!!!! or -as in my particular case- if you have cats who scratch furniture: "I'd give you the uphostered sofas you want if you didn't have cats....." mom says.

Another great resource is free stuff left on curbs. At least, where I live there's always something left out for free. I saw a cute chair this morning. Nowadays I'm more likely to put stuff out than take it, so I know that you are really doing people a favor when you take their stuff. (Though check with them before taking it, if you are uncertain)

I live on the coast, north of Boston, but I'm sure people in other places do this, too. It's worth figuring out where these areas are.

THIS WAS NOT MY COMMENT...IT BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE YET IT HAS MY NAME ATTACHED. (?)
Careful purchasing 'soft' items from thrift stores, craig's list, etc. Fabric covered items can carry little passengers and if you bring that home, you'll infest the rest of your home.
If it's something you absoluty love, keep it outside in a garage if you have one until you can get it reupholstered or professionally cleaned. If you have no storage, get it cleaned immediatley. Everything else, you clean, paint, scrape, refinish.

LyonStill

I think its important to learn to imagine a piece (be it your parents old table or a table in a thriftstore) in your place, with your things surrounding them. You might think you don't like your grandparents couch, but if its your kelim cushions on them instead of the oldfashioned florals of your grandmom and combined with your modern coffeetable- it might look very different. Also, learn to imagine pieces with some changes, like a new paintjob or new hardwear- and learn to do minor diy. Not only for inherited or thrifstore pieces, but also Ikea pieces often benefit from small changes, like staining, changing hardware or painting. A good concept, like a good layout and knowing your style makes all the difference too.

You nailed it with your comment about the "torchiere style lamp in the corner that leans to one side." Never understood why people would keep those things around EVEN when they were students.

These Ikea pillows are everywhere today? Anybody remember what the pillows in the cover picture are called? I've been looking for a set.

Oo a topic very close to my heart. I don't live in an apartment, but I went from living at home straight to moving into and owning my own condo at 25. I did not have the luxury of having hand-me-downs, no one in my family had anything to give me. I've not only been furnishing my place from the ground up but renovating it on a budget, going from tired 70s old person to 21st century 20 something. I've been blogging about it at www.myfirstpad.wordpress.com but shameless plug aside there are a few advice tips I'd give anyone wanting to really have a grown up place of there own

1) Save your money before you move. The reason I lived with my parents till I was 25 because I was waiting for a job where I made enough to cover monthly rent or mortgage but in the meantime I wanted to have money for furniture once I did move, so I saved. Even if this isn't possible for you to live at home, you can still make the effort to save ahead of time.

2)Be patient. I want it all, and I want it now. But I can't have it all right away. I keep a list and buy what I can when I can with a plan in mind.

3) Dont get cheap on the important things. You get what you pay for, so that cheap mattress or couch might be a deal in the beginning but doctors bills for back pain or broken chair legs later you will be sorry when you have to replace it. Also furnishings are an investment. Get something you can live with for awhile and that can move with you through changing places or stages in your life. You dont have to break the bank to get something you like and that is made well.

4) Shop around. I have found with enough internet searching and patience I can often replicate the look of more expensive items for much less. And sometimes you can get amazing things at unexpected places. I've spent money on pottery barn sheets only to find I preferred the ones I got at Target. I have this great rug, that I got form Kohls. Most people dont even know Kohls has rugs.

5) Ask for grown up things for holidays. My family does Christmas Lists, when I was in college I started asking for things like pot and pan sets and kitchen gadgets. They had to go straight to storage but when I moved it was like second Christmas.

Patience is the best advice here, and the hardest to learn! I moved into my first post-college apartment six months ago. And when I moved cross country, all the furniture I had with me was my bed, my desk and two nightstands.

Every single item in my apartment is thrifted, gifted or from IKEA, except for my couch — I did "splurge" ($900) on that. It took awhile, and I've still got a few other rooms to finish, but I love coming home to my beautiful place now!

Poor Stephanie must have a very unfortunate relationship with her parents. I have loads of furniture from my mum and dad, my grandmother, my aunt, even my mum's best friend. And I'm in my late 30s. People are often very generous with things they're not using any more, and happy that they will be used.

Our apartment is composed of IKEA, Target, CB2, TJ Maxx, and Goodwill finds. It took a while to get to this point (our previous apartment didn't look nearly as put together) but I find that the older we get, the more we develop a definitive point of view. The key is to purchase only the things that you love.

Here are a few shots from our place
http://chiclittleme.blogspot.com/p/our-apartment.html

Not everybodys parents only have "second hand garbage". Not everybody has the money to buy everything new. By reusing great things you can save your money to buy other good things, also its nice to have things connected with your family, reminding you of them and its also more ecological to reuse instead of buying cheap crap.
But I think according to you, my parents still haven't cut the apron strings, since in their beautiful home among modern abstract and expressionist paintings, a mixture of art nouveau and modern funiture, they also do have some pieces inherited from their parents.

We've had a grown-up home for a while. Even when we were renting, our first tiny loft didn't look that bad. We moved into a condo shortly before getting married, and wedding gifts aside, we've put a significant amount of effort into turning it into a dream home.

I hate articles like this because it leads to CL/Goodwill bragging (cue Macklemore soundtrack), and comments that people who buy new furniture must live in boring Rooms to Go homes. I don't think it really matters where you buy furniture. I'm of the opinion that there's nothing wrong with buying what you REALLY want. I find I waste more money "trading up" only to buy the item I wanted in the first place. Everything in my place, from the chair in the entry way to my cake plate was thought out before purchased. We avoid clutter since we're not continuously shopping for more "stuff" to tie everything together.