17 tips for furnishing a house cheaply
Furnishing your home does not have to be expensive. In reality, The easiest and most budget-friendly way to stage a home is to declutter, deep clean, and make a few thoughtful updates using what you already have.
In this Redfin article, we’ll show you exactly how to furnish a home on the cheap, without hiring a professional or spending thousands of dollars on furniture rental. Whether you’re preparing for an open house in Rocky Mount, NC, or listing your home in Tuckahoe, VA, these budget-friendly tips can make it stand out and sell faster.
In this article:
Start with a strong foundation
Work with what you have
Brighten and refresh
Focus on high-impact areas
Don’t forget the details
How to furnish a house cheaply
How to furnish a house cheaply Frequently Asked Questions
Start with a strong foundation
Make sure your home has a clean, tidy foundation. The goal is to create a space that feels open, well-maintained, and in which buyers can easily imagine themselves living.
1. Clean up thoroughly
Put away anything that isn’t essential, such as excess furniture, personal photos and trinkets. Cabinets, countertops and entryways should all look spacious and neat.
“Staging cheaply starts with subtraction, not addition. Sort everything into three categories: what you keep for staging, what needs to be moved to the new home or storage, and what needs to be resold, donated, or thrown away,” says Luis Perez, CEO of Remove. “Removing furniture and belongings that won’t be used in the staging helps create a more open, spacious feel while depersonalizing the home for buyers. Once the space has been reduced, finish with a deep clean, especially in the living room, kitchen and bathrooms, where buyers focus most.”
2. Clean each room thoroughly
A sparkling home shows buyers that it has been well cared for. Focus on areas that are often overlooked, such as baseboards, windows, light switches and bathroom grout.
3. Depersonalize the space
Remove anything that is too specific for your taste or lifestyle. This includes family portraits, striking artwork and niche decor. The more neutral your space, the more attractive it will be to a wider range of buyers.
Work with what you have
Getting started on a budget doesn’t mean you have to buy all new furniture or hire a designer. It’s about making smart use of what you already have.
“Start by ‘shopping in your own home,’” recommends Haley Interrante Tiffany Brooks Interiors. “Move pieces around, bring things out from other rooms, and edit anything that feels busy. The magic happens when buyers can actually see the bones of the house instead of all your stuff.”
4. Rearrange furniture for flow
Arrange furniture to emphasize the purpose of the room and make it feel more spacious. For example, float a sofa away from the wall to create a natural conversation space, or pull chairs around a dining table to define the space.
5. Reuse existing equipment
That mirror in the hallway might brighten up the living room. A small lamp from your bedroom can make a dark corner cozy. Walk through your home with fresh eyes and be creative with what you already have.
6. Use light, neutral textiles
Swap loud patterns for soft plaids, light curtains or simple pillowcases in neutral tones. These small details can modernize a room and make it feel more connected.
Brighten and refresh
Light and freshness can completely change the feel of a home, and both are easy to achieve if you want to decorate a home on the cheap.
“If you’re decorating a home on a budget, focus on simple changes that make spaces feel clean, bright and inviting so buyers can easily imagine starting their next chapter there,” says Roeshel of DIY showing off. “Cleaning up surfaces, rearranging furniture for better flow and adding a few fresh accents, like green or neutral textiles, can make a room feel larger and more inviting.”
7. Maximize natural light
Open all curtains and blinds to let in as much sunlight as possible. Clean windows inside and out to let light shine through, and consider placing a mirror across from a window to reflect light around the room.
8. Upgrade the lighting on a budget
Dark rooms can feel smaller and less inviting. Use warm-colored, higher-wattage LED bulbs to brighten dark corners. If your fixtures are outdated, consider affordable upgrades, or even just new lampshades modernize the space.
Read >> Lighting a room: tips to transform your space
9. Add a touch of green
A simple vase of flowers, a bowl of citrus on the counter or a houseplant can add life and color to a room. Even faux greenery can make a space more vibrant if placed strategically.
Focus on high-impact areas
When you’re figuring out how to decorate a home on the cheap, focus on the areas that matter most to buyers, such as the entryway, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms.
10. Create an inviting entrance
The first thing buyers see sets the tone. Sweep the porch, install a new doormat and place a potted plant near the door. Inside, clear the entryway of clutter and make it feel open and inviting.
11. Style the kitchen simply
Clear the worktop and leave just one or two stylish items behind, such as a cookbook or a bowl of fresh fruit. Clean cabinets and appliances and consider replacing outdated hardware for an immediate upgrade.
12. Make the bathroom spa-like
Swap in clean, neutral towels and a new shower curtain. Place a fresh bar of soap or a small plant on the counter. These small details make the space feel clean and cared for.
13. Podium bedrooms for comfort
Use layered bedding, soft lighting and minimal decor to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere. Remove large furniture to make the room seem larger and more functional.
Don’t forget the details
Once the main areas are clean, styled and tidy, small finishes can improve the overall feel of your home, and many of them cost nothing.
14. Increase curb appeal
First impressions are important. Mow the lawn, trim any overgrown plants and sweep walkways. If budget allows, paint the front door or add a few potted plants for a pop of color.
15. Clear out storage areas
Buyers shall look inside cupboards and cupboards. Take a few minutes to clear out the shelves, organize baskets and show off how much storage space your home really has.
16. Eliminate odors
A fresh smelling house is non-negotiable. Open windows to air out rooms, clean soft surfaces such as carpets and upholstery, and avoid strong air fresheners. Instead, opt for subtle scents like citrus or fresh linen.
17. Add purpose to unused spaces
Turn a corner into a reading spot or use the guest room as a home office. Even simple changes can help buyers see more potential in the layout.
Jen Pinto, lead designer for Jackson design and remodelingsums it up nicely: “Effective staging doesn’t have to be expensive and starts with revealing a home’s sense of space, light and architectural character. By clearing away visual clutter, freshening the palette with soft, neutral paint and layered lighting, buyers can experience the design itself rather than the belongings within it. Thoughtful styling creates an atmosphere that feels elevated, calm and luxurious. Composite pieces can add warmth while maintaining a sense of balance. Removing personal items and keeping it partially open cabinetry helps buyers imagine themselves in their homes while enhancing a sense of openness and possibility.”
How to furnish a house cheaply
Furnishing your home doesn’t have to mean spending thousands of dollars. Knowing how to prepare a house to sell cheaply often comes down to being conscious of what you already have.
By focusing on clean, simple, and inviting spaces, you can help buyers see your home’s full potential and help it sell faster.
Are you thinking about advertising your home? Connect with a local Redfin agent for expert advice on pricing, phasing and selling with confidence.
How to furnish a house cheaply Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy new furniture to stage my home?
Not at all. In most cases you can work with what you already have. Strategic furniture placement and a few neutral accessories like pillows or throws can make your existing pieces look fresh and intentional.
Discover >> Are you thinking about selling your house? Here are 13 essential tips for decorating a home
Do I still need to stage a home if it is already vacant?
A: Yes, empty houses can feel cold or smaller than they are. Even furnishing a few key areas (such as the living room or master bedroom) with simple furniture or decor can help buyers visualize the space.
Take a look >> How to Prepare Your Home to Sell: 5 Tips to Attract Buyers
Is it worth putting a house on a seller’s market?
Yes. Even when homes sell quickly, staged homes often attract more offers, and sometimes higher ones. Staging helps buyers connect emotionally with the space, which can lead to better results.
Read >> Is it a buyer’s or seller’s market?
How much should I spend on staging?
Professional home staging costs on average about $1,800, depending on the size of your home and whether it is vacant. If you’re focusing on staging a home so it can be sold cheaply, DIY options like cleaning, decluttering, and minor updates typically cost less than $1,000, and often much less.
Dive in >> How Much Does It Cost to Stage a House?
