Furnishing a New Home in Melbourne

• 

  Halo375 on 18/09/2019 - 15:43

  +5

  Gumtree - new furniture is horribly overpriced. If you spend the time you can find great furniture that other people just don’t appreciate.

• 

  try2bhelpful on 18/09/2019 - 15:44

  +3

  Have the look at Op Shops.

• 

  wizzy on 18/09/2019 - 17:13

  +3

  I like to buy second hand furniture because as Halo375 said, you can get great quality things more cheaply if you are ok with looking and waiting. For example, there was a cabinet I really liked, but it cost over $1000. So I searched around on gumtree and ebay until I eventually found the exact same cabinet second hand (in almost new condition) for $100. It took about 6 months to find.

  If you prefer new furniture though, an option is to start off with lower quality furniture like Ikea, and upgrade items as you can afford them. Ikea are fine for a few years.

  • 

    Skyllian Blitz on 18/09/2019 - 18:42

    +1

    You can also sometimes find importers on Gumtree selling the same item as the big name stores for cheaper. A lot of the big sellers source their furniture from overseas, we saw the same bedframe at three stores before finding a Gumtree seller who sourced from the same factory.

    • 

      wizzy on 18/09/2019 - 18:48

      That's a good tip thanks

• 

  kahn on 18/09/2019 - 17:16

  Take a woodworking class.

• 

  ofey on 18/09/2019 - 17:21

  +5

  Ikea does it for me.
  Quality is NEVER suspect.
  I am of the opinion that people who don't know how to follow instructions to assemble as intended, is a more likely reason that quality is "suspect".

  • 

    jjjaar on 18/09/2019 - 17:31

    Agreed. I have a few things from ikea (some brand new and some from op shops) and I’ve found the quality to be great.

    • 

      wizzy on 18/09/2019 - 17:43

      I really like the stuff they make for kids rooms - especially all the different storage things.

  • 

    try2bhelpful on 18/09/2019 - 19:44

    +1

    I drop into the Richmond IKEA scratch and dent area pretty regularly. They have display stock, seconds etc that are cheaper still.

• 

  Luminary on 18/09/2019 - 17:22

  Not sure about quality but I like Mocka's style.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 18/09/2019 - 17:48

  +2

  Buy a few key pieces and the rest from op shops , garage sales or IKEA. The key pieces will make everything else look expensive and sophisticated.

• 

  neo on 18/09/2019 - 20:01

  Whatever you do, don't skimp on three items:
  Bed (Mattress)
  Couch
  Dining Table

  You will use all three the most and a comfy couch is definitely worth since it's the area you will spend a lot of time on.

  I've bought a couch from Focus on and it was great quality for the price. Around 1.5k.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 19/09/2019 - 18:36

    +1

    Whatever you do, don't skimp on three items:

    or if you really have to, skimp on the dining table but NEVER on the other 2 :)

    • 

      try2bhelpful on 19/09/2019 - 20:33

      +1

      Absolutely agree with your comments. Our couches often double as beds when we have people stay. We have King furniture black leather couches that have lasted for decades.

• 

  friedbanana on 18/09/2019 - 20:09

  Have a look at Casey Auctions, option to buy it now or auctions run on Sundays.

• 

  yellowfever on 19/09/2019 - 22:36

  +1

  I would pay at least mid range and new for quality items that you sit or lay on everyday such as sofa, bed and dining chairs a minimum.

  Other items you could sacrifice on quality as it only pleases your eyes such as coffee table, tv unit, etc. and these could be 2nd hand aswell.

  You could pick up scandi type tables for cheap on Gumtree and match it with new chairs from quality store.

  2nd hand sofa will cost you the same in transport as it would be for a new one, so you may aswell get a new one, as well as the other obvious reasons for being brand new.

  Mix up new and 2nd hand and it will work out well with your budget.
  But time it well, you only want to hire a van once so buying 2nd hand items could be tricky and may end up costing you more.

  I've had a brand new sofa from both Fantastic Furniture and Nick Scali. Whilst FF was 1/4 of the price and isn't terrible, it is not as satisfying to sit on and look at everyday and I would say the NS sofa is well worth the extra price paid.

  I also have some IKEA items for small things such as shelving. It looks good and does not need much quality as it just stands there all day with zero wear and tear involved.
  However probably wouldn't buy an IKEA dining table that will need to take abuse everyday, their tops aren't solid timber.
  Although they seem to have a very big range to cater for most needs and low budget.