Furnishing a Home

I dont think you should spend a lot of money on quality furniture. That quality furniture in most cases is going to look tacky in 10 years, this is especially true with living room furniture. Unless you go the antique route, then spend the money there as you can keep that stuff forever if it is something solid wood but its probably not going to be something very comfortable. But for a couch or a recliner check out Big Lots. Can get a decent 2 piece set for $500 or as someone said, craigslist if you don't mind used. A nice quality entertainment center from 10 years ago that was built to last from nice solid wood won't fit your TV and what are you going to do with those built in cd racks? I spent $2K for my living room set at Rooms to go, 5 years ago. I already want to replace it. The quality is mid-grade but Id rather have a different design. I got a nice quality buffet table(up away from the toddler at the time) type TV stand from walmart, nice solid wood. Really pleased with that, that cost me $280.

Give yourself a budget. Decide what you want to spend and work off that.

Wood furniture - tables, chairs, dressers, etc. are fine to purchase used.

Resale furniture shops and craigslist are good places to look. Also check with family or friends if they have any extra furniture they would let you have for free or inexpensively.

I would also check on freecycle.org in your area. You can pick up a few pieces that way.

Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local charity shops should be on your list - again I would check the pieces and steam clean them (if they have fabric) in the garage before you bring them in your home.

I would set aside a decent amount of money for a new mattress. The only used mattress I would consider taking is one from your family - if they have an extra bed to offer you.

We recently picked up a nice Oak dresser for $50 from a couple who was downsizing to a smaller home. Found it on craigslist. You can also check out garage sales and community sales. Go to the nicer parts of town for the best deals.

Are you renting an actual house or living in the city? If the city and renting an apartment, drop by the loading dock of your building (or close buildings you have access to on the weekend) on your way in and out. People are constantly moving in and out of places and dumping off their old furniture in the loading dock or wherever trash is left. Craigslist is also a good option.

Ask extended family and friends if they have any household stuff they don't need anymore. When I moved into an apartment in college and then bought a house afterwards, family and friends were more than willing to give me stuff.

Like a pp said, don't get any upholstered furniture unless you know the person its coming from. You don't know if they have bedbugs, fleas (from down filled furniture), or what was spilled on them or what bodily fluids were on there. We got our couches for $288 each from Big Lots, and they're a decent quality and comfortable.

As for dressers, a kitchen table, desk, etc, check out garage sales, and especially moving sales because people just want to get rid of it. Garage sales may be cheaper than thrift stores, but price and quality really depends on your area (especially at thrift stores). Garage sales are a good place to look for dishes, small kitchen appliances, stuff like that. You'll be able to ask the owner if the appliance works and/or has any quirks. (Someone may be getting rid of their regular coffee maker because they got a Keurig. Or they redid their kitchen and their blue one doesn't match.)

Kohls (both B&M and online) have some good deals on other household stuff, especially when they're on sale and you combine it with a 30% off coupon, plus get Kohl's cash for next time.

Ask onFreecycle and go at the end of yardsale and estatesales when they dont want to haul furniture back inside.

Also the night before large trash day cruise alleyways for stuff that was thrown out.

IKEA!!! Most of their stuff is pretty good and will last a while, and if it breaks, at least you wont be out a ton of money. A lot of expensive furniture is made in Asia anyway, and barely any better quality than IKEA. If you like "modern" furniture, they are one of the few places that have anything that doesnt look like only old people would buy it.

As 2 posters above said, checking the trash rooms at your apts can yield a TON of good stuff, especially if its a nice apt complex or a luxury apt complex. Lots of people throw out their stuff instead of moving it. An ex lived in some luxury apts, and wound up getting a niiiice living room set for free. I've gotten shelves, a huge desk, clothes steamer, shirt press (worth $250!), cleaning supplies, lamps, etc etc.

Goodwill and Salvation Army are interesting places, so check once a week or so. A month ago, I snagged a modern Italian glass and metal coffee table worth $840, for $99.99 Also bought a few things off craigslist, lots of good bargains there.