How to score some cheap or free furniture for your rental

Decorating your new home doesn’t have to be expensive. If you are on a tight budget, there are many great ways to score great deals on furniture and decorations that will make your place feel like home. Plus, if you are extra savvy, you can even get some things for free.

There is an ever-growing list of ways to score a bargain, with new websites, Facebook groups, and more. Let’s round up some of the options.

Facebook Marketplace

Convenient and filled with free or cheap furniture, this is what we love. Facebook Marketplace is the perfect hunting ground for free or cheap furniture and décor locally. For free items just search “free” and see what comes up. Many people use Facebook Marketplace to get rid of furniture they no longer want and just want someone to take it away for them.

Listings are constantly updating. So, keep an eye out regularly for new furniture and see what epic stuff you can find.  

Niche Facebook groups

If you can’t find what you are after on Facebook Marketplace consider joining a local furniture Facebook group. There are so many options out there whether you are looking for free furniture or are willing to pay. Common search terms that will help you find these groups are “Buy, Sell, Swap”, “Free Stuff”, “Trash and Treasure”, and “Waste Not Want Not”, Follow these up with your city or suburb name to find local groups.

Before you can join a group you will be required to answer a few questions to determine eligibility. When in the group, ensure you carefully read the rules set out by the group admins.

Gumtree or eBay

If Facebook doesn’t hold what you are after, Gumtree and eBay offer loads of different options. You will find a lot of unwanted items in the freebies section of Gumtree. Although be quick as items here go fast. As well as this, there are lots of cheap options across the website too.

While there aren’t many free items on eBay, the platform does contain a lot of cheap second-hand furniture if you dive in. There are plenty of people who list items without a reserve, meaning they are keen to offload them at a cheap price.

Web communities like Freecycle

Online there are many communities dedicated to swapping items for free. Freecycle is one of those communities. They are a non-profit where people list their goods that are on offer to their local area. The point of Freecycle is to reduce the number of items going to landfill, instead helping them find a new home. Simply search for your location on Freecycle and see what pops up.

Kerb collection can have some hidden gems

Once a year Brisbane City Council arranges a kerb collection, where they will pick up old furniture and other items that households leave on the kerbside. Often, many of the items left on the kerbside, during the lead-up to the pickup, are actually in good condition. Many items can easily be recovered and given a new life. Keep an eye out in your neighbourhood and see what you can spot.

Check out your local tip

Tips across Brisbane have shops where you can buy second-hand furniture for cheap. These shops have items that are still in working condition and simply need a new home. It reduces waste, allowing these items to be reused by a home that needs them. Plus, in many locations, the money from the store goes to local charities.

Look at garage sales

While not free, garage sales give you the chance to grab some cheap furniture or home décor and provide it with a new home. If you go late in the day, you can often get some great bargains, or even some items for free as sellers look to get rid of the final pieces available. To find garage sales you can join Facebook Groups dedicated to listing them in your area.

Stop in at local op shops

Local op shops may not have free furniture, but they often have exciting pieces that can spark your imagination. Whether you are looking for furniture or other décor op shops will be your friend. They usually sell their wares at great prices, so you can snatch up items for your home without breaking the budget.

Conclusion

If you want to decorate your home but are on a budget there are so many ways you can get great furniture and décor for cheap if not for free. The best way to get started is to get out there and look for those bargains through all the channels we listed above.

If you need any more help with advice for your new rental home, come have a chat with Link Living today.