Don’t shop for new when second-hand will do just as well. This goes for everything from furnishings and building materials to curtains and blinds. Charity and junk shops are a great place to look for everything from kitchenware to fabrics and curtains. Or, try The Curtain Exchange, which sells good quality windows dressings at much lower prices than they would be if new. Try salvage yards or www.whatdoidowiththis.com, too - reclaimed bricks and timber cost less than new.
Who cares that much about fashion? Buying discontinued stock means you don’t have to compromise on quality, but you can still get a great bargain. The downside? There’s less choice, but beggars can’t be choosers…
Looking for a new throw? Perhaps some bedlinen or a new carpet? All-cotton, all-wool, all-silk is all lovely but all costs a packet. Instead, look at compromising a little on quality with a mix. So, choose a cotton percale where you might once have gone for Egyptian. Equally, choose a wool/nylon mix carpet. The results aren’t as luxurious, but they’re cheaper and surprisingly, cheaper synthetics often last longer than all natural products.
Buying a new carpet? Getting a sofa? Find out which shops throw in a freebie. Perhaps the sofa company will deliver for free if you ask them nicely – click here to find out how to haggle for a bargain – or maybe the carpet company you’ve chosen throws in the delivery and fitting of their carpets?
So, you want a new hard floor? Perhaps a real wood oak or limestone tiles? Forget it if you’re trying to save money… but that doesn’t mean you have to forget good looks and quality. You can buy some great look-alikes, or just choose wisely, and save lots of money. So, instead of oak flooring, go for an engineered wood or wood-effect laminate; instead of limestone, choose slate which is cheaper, or ceramic which is cheaper still.
Sounds obvious? Many of us have got out of the habit of shopping in sales times, but when it comes to buying larger items, such as new kitchens, sofas or flooring, you can make some huge savings. Bear in mind this golden rule: some companies have permanent sales on – doesn’t mean you can’t ask for more of a discount (or added extras) than they’re offering.
Just as flat-pack furniture is cheaper than solid, so other types of fixtures and fittings vary in price, so it pays to do your research before you set your heart on a particular scheme or look. For example, DIY store own brand paint is cheaper than branded paints – you just have to bear in mind that you’ll have less choice. Equally, built-in baths cost less than freestanding ones; kitchens that come flat-pack are cheaper than those that arrive solidly built from the factory… and so it goes on.
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