You can do a lot with $1000. You can buy a purebred puppy, probably a million packs of gum, a really, really big flatscreen TV, a Netflix membership for 142 months, a plane ticket to Ireland. You get the picture: you really can do a lot with a grand… including furnish your new apartment.
I know it seems like a stretch, but you can actually create a pretty put together place with $1000. It might take some digging, but your wallet will thank you. Pink & Black has got you covered with the best finds for your home that don’t put a huge dent in your vacation fund.
- Mattress $200-$400
This is probably going to be your priciest purchase. While a good night’s sleep is definitely worth the extra buck, you can find a bunch of mattresses under $400 at Overstock, IKEA and Sears. The Christopher Knight Home Aloe Gel Memory Foam 8-inch Queen Smooth Top Mattress from Overstock is selling for $269. Although you can’t try the mattresses before making a purchase, the prices makes it well worth the risk. Another best bet is the Sultan Hanestad mattress from IKEA that goes for $199 (but only for a full). If you’re looking for a little more luxury, the Serta Amber Creek Gel Memory Foam Mattress Set from Sears goes for $379 for a queen and has an exclusive liquid gel-enhanced memory foam that helps move heat away from your body. For someone that sleeps with a fan right next to their face, that sounds pretty sweet to me.
- Bedding $25-$60
The optimal option here is to keep your old sheets and comforter from college or borrow them from mom and dad. But if you must invest in some new bedding, Overstock has great deals on sheets. Our top pick is their 500 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Extra Deep Pocket Sheet Set, which can be had for only $22. If you have an Amazon Prime account, here is when it comes in handy. The Amazon Prime Now app will deliver anything to your door in two hours or less and has incredible prices on sheets and comforters. Speaking from experience, I got black satin sheets, two pillowcases, two pillows and a down alternative comforter from Amazon Prime Now that all together came out to around $80.
- Couch $100
You definitely won’t be able to find a new couch for this price, but there’s tons of deals on Craigslist and at yard sales. Talk to your friends and family and see who might be moving or selling some furniture. If you choose to buy new, Walmart offers insanely cheap prices on futons and lounge chairs—their Mainstays Metal Arm Futon is priced at $98. Want to add a little pop of pattern? Walmart’s Black and White Geometric Pattern Kebo Chair is selling for just $79 and will give your room a little flair.
- Dresser/Hangers $150
One word: Craigslist. I found an IKEA Malm Four Drawer Dresser for $110 and a brand new white dresser for only $80. Although this is specifically under the New York ads, there are tons of deals just like these all over the bargain-filled site. As for hangers, Amazon Prime Now, Kmart and Wal-Mart have 30 packs for as low as $10.
- Dining Room Table & Chairs $120
Target is the cliché of all department stores, but they have some killer dining room sets that won’t cost you too much. The $118 Threshold Brookline Dining Collection is super classic, not to mention the chairs look incredibly comfy. If you want something a little more playful, the Threshold Eclectic Dining Collection is only $103 and combines colors, textures and shapes to give your dining room a playful and fresh look. Target also has a Classic French Country Dining Collection going for $107. Its simple, sleek style will go with absolutely anything and I mean, who doesn’t love French stuff?
- Dishes/Silverware $60
The thing about dishes is you’ll use them multiple times, so you’ll feel much classier if you’re not eating on paper or plastic. My go-to for kitchenware is JCPenney and Walmart. The $50 Pfaltzgraff Everyday Harmony 16pc Dinnerware Set from JCPenny comes in a bunch of different colors and includes everything from dinner and salad plates to mugs and bowls. For $10 more, JCPenny’s Home Chantilly Lace 16pc Dinnerware Set is a good choice if you’re one for design. Stick to the quality stuff when picking what you’ll be eating off for the next however-many years. When it comes to silverware, keep it simple with Walmart’s Mainstays Whitney 20pc Flatware Set. For only $12, you should have enough dough left over for some actual food to use on your new kitchenware.
- Trash Cans $10
Find the cheapest ones you can. There’s always time to upgrade later. Local department stores like Kmart, Target, IKEA and Bed, Bath & Beyond sell some for as low as $6.
- Bedside Table $20
I know $20 for a table seems too good to be true, but Amazon Prime Now has a sleek, black bedside table for only $19. You have to self-assemble, but screwing four pieces of wood into a larger piece of wood isn’t rocket science. Walmart has a $14 Sauder Beginnings Collection Side Table and a $19 Parsons End Table that comes in black, tan and espresso brown. All these options are very basic, but you don’t need too much flare when it comes to bedside tables… especially when they are all crazy affordable.
- Shower Curtain/Bedroom Curtains $30
Another thing mom and dad might have laying around, but otherwise, Kohl’s is an awesome place for cute curtains that run anywhere from $10-$60. Home Classics Voile Window Treatments are my fav. These $9 babies are super breezy and let in a lot of natural light. As for shower curtains, you can find a curtain, liner and curtain rods at Walmart for all under $15.
- Hamper/Towels $15
Head to the college dorm aisle for a laundry bag or hamper. They sell pop-up ones for $5. Towels are easy—head to JCPenney (or any department store really) and pick up a 6pc set of Egyptian Cotton Solid Bath Towels for around $8.
- Pots/Pans $50
Believe it or not, Macy’s has a 12pc Tools of the Trade Nonstick Aluminum Cookware Set on sale for only $40 that comes with everything you need start cooking in your new apartment. If that’s not good enough, Amazon has an 83pc GibsonTotal Kitchen Combo Set for $50 that comes with cookware, dinnerware, flatware, cutlery… literally everything you need to make anything your stomach desires. It’s basically an instant kitchen.
… and voila! We have an apartment!
Feature Photo via We Heart It