When I first moved on my own back in the 70's I went into debt to furnish my apartment - with all the latest styles that were out there - but if I were starting out on my own today I'd go about it in a completely different way. ( and going into debt is NEVER a good idea )
Craigs List
or
Kijiji ( or Ebay in the States )
Both have free sections available on their listings.................now you'd have to be online constantly to be lucky enough to grab them as they come up but that would be a small price to pay, right? Especially when that's the only price you have to pay. ( and of course you need to be able to pick up the items so hopefully you know someone with a van )
You just have to be diligent..............have patience and be willing to do a little work on your free " things "
Here's an example of free items I've seen listed on both sites over the span of 2 weeks.....................sorry any Montrealers reading this- I didn't bother with links because there's no way they'd still be available at this point but every single item was found in the FREE section !
I couldn't find a dining room table but I did find piece to fill a living room beautifully !
I really like this sofa and how worn it is..................
But if that look's not for you - there's this one
This chair has great bones - reupholstered !
Or you could simple paint the fabric like I did here - you can see the process HERE
A coffee table -
and if you have the room why not add a piano?
YES you can paint piano's !
This mirror turned upright would be a great project to frame with some molding from Home Depot as a floor mirror !
A dresser could easily be made over as well as a media stand
You could easily create a beautiful wall statement with these shutters ( painted and distressed these would make a beautiful headboard but this post is about a living room lol )
Or grab a few french doors to create a room divider
You can even find decor items
Check out your local Craigs List - Ebay ( or in Canada - Kijiji ) and even Free Cycle............( and you can't just do it one day and then say they never have any good items on yours ) try it over the course of a couple of weeks or even a month or two and I bet you'll find some amazing items - especially in the " vintage " catergory !
Next week I'll show pieces for a bedroom :)
Have a wonderful day everyone !
Hugs,
Me
LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
JOIN ME AT THESE FABULOUS PARTIES !
COASTAL CHARM SALVAGED TREASURES
FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS
MY TURN FOR US MY ROMANTIC HOME
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PIECED PASTIMES LIFE ON LAKESHORE DRIVE
IT'S OVERFLOWING I SHOULD BE MOPPING THE FLOOR
WOW, amazing finds. I never thought about looking there. I don't need anything - I'm trying to down size LOL but what wonderful finds.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy Spring week Suzan.
Mary
I had no idea. Thanks for giving me yet another way to keep me from cleaning my house. ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Damn, Suzan! Our town is too small, and Craigslist is not that popular (what a shame). Those are some excellent freebies.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I always feel, cheap is good, but Free is Better.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I have a twin to that secretary desk. A friend was moving and she didn't want to move so she asked if I would like to have it...for Free. The only difference, mine as a small, tiny crack in the glass but it was that way when it was given to me.
I have sold things on Craig's List, but never bought anything. I really need to check it out!
ReplyDeleteSuzan,
ReplyDeleteWow you found some cool freebies!!!! I think if you are in the right place at the right time you can score some great free stuff. Like you said you just have to stick with it. Have a great start to the new week.
Kris :)
Suzan, you are so right! Craigslist is amazing as is Freecycle. Another blogger (you probably know her or know of her) got a free, non-working square grand piano which she will use as her kitchen island.
ReplyDeletehttp://victoriaelizabethbarnes.com/repurposed-antique-piano-kitchen-island/
Can you say SCORE! I mean I will not settle for crap or MDF stuff ever again. Waste-o-money. Get something with good bones and make it mine... just like all the wonderful items you have made over. :) And on this post too!
Thanks always for the great ideas and have a wonderful week!
~ Christina
You are so right- you can furnish for free-or even almost free. You found some great examples of freebies, Suzan! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteOh come on! Not fair! Some great finds, it's kind of drying up here , lots of folks painting I guess. Love the secretary! Have fun and did you buy any of them? Can't wait for the transformations! Hope you are enjoying the Spring Time!
ReplyDeleteNo - I have to much in storage still LOL
DeleteI don't take free items out of guilt because there's people with far greater needs than myself - I've even paid people more when I've felt they were " ripping themselves off"
Thanks Mary Anne !
xoxo
These things were all free?? Wow. I've never gone on Kijiji as I really have no need to. We call our son the Kijiji King as he's always buying and selling things - always with engines! LOL He's good at it and that's why we call him the "King". I've seen old upright pianos made over into many things one being a bar. When I moved into an apartment with my girlfriends we all brought something used from home to supply our place. There wasn't much new bought and a few things were vintage and I wish I still had them!! Long gone now. :(
ReplyDeleteI like free! Those are some great finds. Especially the decent looking couch. Wow!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's incredible. Where was this back when we were first starting out? I don't need anything right now but will keep this in mind. You never know. :-)
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! Amazing finds, Suzan!!!! I will definitely be checking out Craigslist's free items more!!!
ReplyDeleteI know, right?
DeleteI think some people just want them OUT and don't want to go through the whole hassle of selling them.
XOX
Stopping by via BJ's. Oh my goodness, painting fabric... I LOVE IT! Off to read more.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could send to you a picture from Craigslist of a couch I found listed for FREE! It is the size of a couch, but it is totally shaped like a PIG! Including snout and tail and the whole ball of wax!!! The size available to sit on is only a chair size to accommodate all the fluffy pig stuff! You were right Suzan! There was everything you could imagine listed under FREE! I am gonna go right back and look somemore!
ReplyDeleteLMHO !
DeleteJust what every home needs - a little pig decor LOL
xoxo
P.S. Susan......you could have a contest with this post! Let people send in their pictures of what they found under FREE and let the voting begin! I am sure you have some sort of booby prize that would be quite appropriate. If not, I do, somewhere! Nanny
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI have sold items on Craigslist, but I have not purchased. I will need to peek at it for me.
:-)
Carla
These are great pieces. Wow!! I have to start checking out the free section. Thanks Susan.
ReplyDeleteThanks Trish - it's amazing what people are willing to give away when they're ready to update !
Deletexox
It's amazing how many treasures are out there for next to nothing or free. It takes a little time and effort, but sooooo worth it. Thanks for sharing at VIParty Suzan.
ReplyDeleteI love the thrill of a free find and the challenge of transforming it! Wouldn't it be fun to furnish your whole home this way....sigh
ReplyDeleteA couple years ago I found an old gym basket and chunks of scrap wood in the free section of Craigslist. I arranged to pick it up, went up to the apartment, knocked on the door and no one answered. Frustrated, I turned around and realized they were sitting out against the "back" door (weird old navy housing, insides are great, but front and back door are practically facing each other!). I picked them up (the "scrap wood" was like something from inside a cheaply made couch, filled with long staples, weird but I figured disposing of their scrap was a good price for the basket!), left, got into the car with hubby and they immediately text me, apologizing for not being there, they had to work. Which they hadn't said an hour previously when we were making arrangements and they somehow knew exactly when I left? So strange. Was it a nervous old lady? Nervous young lady? Agoraphobe? Still, I love the free section!! Only ever had the one strange experience, haha!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your free stuff is way more awesome than what I find in our neck of the woods. I think I have only scored one 'good' thing for free, and it needs a lot of work! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe what's out there - it's such an oxymoron because the things that are for sale here in Montreal are usually very high..........and yet these items are for free!
DeleteTiming !
xox
love free stuff would watch the listing on saturday after yardsales and once posted would runt to get the stuff and anther one I love is estate sales companies on the last day they give stuff away thanks for sharing your finds love it
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what people through away!! To bad our houses aren't bigger, lol.
ReplyDeleteI know LOL !!!
Deletexoxo