How To Transform Your Empty Home into A Beautiful Space in Less than A Month

When I moved back to Northern California recently, I was shocked and awed at the prices for everything.  From food to clothes to home décor, all has gone up to a stratospheric level.  Moreover, the lead time is insane.  It takes months and months for anything to arrive if they arrive at all.

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article on how used furniture is now a hot commodity.  Thankfully, I recognized this a few years back, even before the pandemic, and it is ever so relevant now.  My house was completely empty when I moved back, and within a month. I was able to furnish my entire home for about $5000, buying mostly from Facebook Marketplace.   Moreover, I constantly get compliments from visiting friends on how warm and cozy my house is, and how it looks like it’s been lived in forever.

 Here are my top tips of making your home comfortable, elevate your design fast and cheap. 

• Facebook Marketplace and Craiglist are full of gems. You have to spend a lot of time on it and act fast if you see something you like. They sell out quickly.  I find many things on FB Marketplace for a song, especially from the people who are moving.  These people want to get rid of their stuff fast and will sell for cheap.
• Look for quality items. I find older furniture to be much more well-made than today’s furniture.  They are constructed better, use real wood, and are much more solid than today’s cheap imports.  Buy things that have a high resale value, as you might be able to resell them later for what you paid for them.
• Use your imagination and look beyond the surface. Many times, you can get a beautiful table, dresser or chest that might look like it needs work, but a simple repaint, a change of knobs, a refinish will make all the difference.  You’ll end up with something beautiful that looks new.
• Think of the small details. When you do window treatments, for example, use a beautiful trim to transform something ordinary to something amazing.  Even luxury trims are still affordable, and there is no better way to elevate your drapery or roman shades.
• Make friends with your local consignment store. They will keep you posted of when they receive new items or when they have sales.  Having a relationship with your favorite salesperson will give you an edge.
• If you have time on the weekend, go to estate sale in a nice neighborhood. Chances are you can find something useful or unique.  I was able to find a set of beautiful antique silverware recently.  With a simple cleaning and polishing, they turn out amazing—all for the same price as a a set of ordinary silverware at Costco.
• Accessories is EVERYTHING. Books, plants, artwork, rugs, home accessories—those are the things that make a house into a home.  And they are affordable and can ship quickly.
• Look for outlet items at your favorite high end design store. I go to the Kravet outlet site quite often, and many times I was able to find a 10,000 couch for a fraction of the price, simply because the store must make room for new things, or they have a return from a customer they need to get rid of at cost.
• Use paint and wallpaper to instantly change the look and feel of a room. A bland powder room, for example, can be transformed into a stunning space with the right wallcovering.  An old kitchen cabinet can be updated simply with a coat of lacquer paint in a fashionable color.
• Don’t buy something just to buy something. It must fit your space, your style, your décor.  It’s better to have a curated room than a room full of stuff.  Everything in your space should either be beautiful or useful.  All your designs must be coherent.  All your space must express your style and your personality.

When I took my home from a total empty space into a warm, inviting space in 2-3 weeks, the sense of accomplishment was incredibly rewarding.  More than anything, it was such a fun process for me.   It’ll be the same for you.  Enjoy the process.

#beyourowndesigner