Monday, September 21, 2009
Category:
Personal Finance Tips
Well, you’ve done it. You’ve got your first place and it’s all yours. Now it’s time to put your own stamp on it and turn it into a home.
You’ve paid the estate agent fees, the taxes and the actual cost of the place, now you have to start thinking about how you can possibly afford to start decorating and furnishing your space. First, you probably have an idea of the kind of things that you like; you might have collected a few pieces already and you can always rescue those unwanted or neglected items from friends and family.
There will always be those things that are simply essential. A bed, a couch, table and chairs, these things are really the bare necessities. They’re a good place to start too. The seemingly boundless possibilities can be a little daunting. You might have a clear idea of what you want from the space. Are you a traditionalist? Do you want the place to be cosy, with plenty of wood and antique furniture? Or are you a minimalist, looking for clear lines and plenty of space? If you’ve not got this far yet, don’t worry about it. It’s just the starting point.
Have a look through some interior design magazines, familiarise yourself with what’s happening right now and take from it the bits you like, while leaving the bits you don’t. It is worth remembering that what looks good now, might not be so trendy in a few years. Aim to buy quality. Go for things that you feel will have longevity. Trends are just that, they come and go but comfort lasts forever. Buy things that will fit in with your lifestyle and make sure you buy from reputable retailers.
It’s a good idea to start looking for the focal point of each room. Obviously, in the bedroom it’s going to be the bed; the dining room, a table and chairs. Follow this pattern throughout your home and get a list of the core items involved. Don’t forget about the less interesting bits too. The key one being storage. It needn’t simply be a question of utility, the way you store and display your possessions can actually become a feature. By now, you should have a list of the items that will be the building blocks of your home decor. You can always add to this over time, working home improvements into your budget. However, it’s going to take a bit more spending to get the ball rolling. This could well prove to be a struggle, especially after all of the original outlay in buying the place.
It may be worth considering some finance to cover these primary purchases. Hopefully, it’ll stop you running up different credit cards all over town and having to deal with those various debts and rates of interest. It can also help you stick to a budget if you have a total figure with which to buy the key items that will dress your new pad.
