5 Stores Where You Can Fully Furnish Your Apartment for Less Than $3,500

07/05/2024

Settling in to their dream home

Moving into a new apartment is such an exciting moment in life. Maybe this is the first place you are moving into after going to school or living at home. Or perhaps it’s a refresh in a new city for new opportunities. Whatever the case may be, you’ve probably already spent a good chunk of your budget on the first month’s rent, the security deposit, any fees to get you into the unit and maybe even last month’s rent, as well.

Do you have anything left in your account to spend on furnishing your new pad?

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Thankfully, most anywhere you go these days, there are an array of stores that carry all the furniture and décor you need to gussy up your brand new home. GOBankingRates found a few stores where you can take care of all your home furnishing needs for a budget between $2,500 and $3,500.

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Ikea

The Swedish furniture warehouse is an instant go-to when it comes to getting new furniture and design features that will not break your bank. Ikea is known for its affordable and stylish furniture options, according to Alice Moszczynski, an interior designer at Planner 5D.

“From beds and sofas to dining sets and storage solutions, Ikea has a wide range of products to furnish your apartment within budget,” explained Moszczynski. “Their flat-pack furniture also makes transportation and assembly easier, saving you time and money.”

“Known for its functional and affordable furniture, Ikea offers a wide range of options to furnish an entire apartment within a $2,500 budget,” agreed Tina Priestly, a renowned organization and clutter expert turned CEO of Ready, Set, REFRESH. “Their modular and space-saving designs align perfectly with Tina’s philosophy of organization and clutter-free living.”

Moszczynski said that it is definitely possible for someone to “easily furnish a small apartment for under $2,500 or a larger one for under $3,500.”

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Target

Target provides a curated selection of stylish and budget-friendly furniture and home décor, in Priestly’s professional opinion. That’s because when you need something for your home, you can usually find it at Target for a reasonable price.

Moszczynski highlighted how Target has a “wide array of affordable home furnishings, including furniture, décor and accessories.”

“With Target’s diverse range of products, you can find pretty much everything you need to furnish your apartment without breaking the bank,” Moszczynski continued. “The furniture collections cater to various styles, from modern and minimalist to classic and traditional. Their affordable prices and frequent sales and discounts make it easy to stay within your budget while furnishing your apartment.”

She also pointed out the ease and convenience of Target’s website and its competitive pricing.

Allanah Barnes, a designer and project manager at Freemodel, explained that when shopping at one store, customers “want to look for variety in order to produce a curated look.”

“Target.com has a wide range of furniture options and items to fit just about every style and budget. Also, they have amazing sales on top of their Target Circle rewards, which is an added bonus,” said Barnes, who found sofas, end tables, rugs, beds and more that would fit the parameters of a budget of $3,500 or less.

Wayfair

“For those looking for a vast selection and competitive pricing, Wayfair is a go-to option,” said Priestly. That’s because you can shop online and easily have everything you need shipped to your apartment with one click.

“Wayfair provides a vast selection of home furnishings online, featuring frequent sales and discounts across a wide range of products and styles,” echoed Chris Langley, an interior designer and director of Just Value Doors Ltd. “This site is particularly useful for comparing different products and prices.”

Kamil Kozorys, an interior designer and co-founder at Unique Tiles, often recommends his clients pursue Wayfair, “as it offers a wide range of furniture and home décor at affordable prices under $2,500 or $3,500.”

“They also offer free shipping on orders over $35, making it even more cost-effective. It often has sales and promotions, allowing you to save even more on your purchases, such as a living room set for under $1,000 or a bedroom set for under $1,500.” Kozorys also recommended Wayfair for everything from “stylish and functional furniture to trendy home accessories including rugs, lighting and wall art.”

“They offer a variety of furniture pieces that cater to different styles and budgets, making it easier to find items that align with Tina’s emphasis on organization and functionality within a $3,500 budget,” said Priestly.

Walmart

The mega store is known for being the place to find almost everything under the sun that you need for your home, as well as having affordable prices that are hard to beat.

“I recently discovered that Walmart has expanded its home décor and furniture section, offering a wide range of affordable options for those on a budget,” said Kozorys. “You can find complete bedroom sets starting at around $500 and dining sets starting at around $300.”

What stood out to Kozorys was the “flexibility to choose what works best for you with the additional option of shipping to home or pick up in-store. I love their clearance and rollback deals, where you can snag amazing deals on everything from sofas to lamps. For instance, I was able to find a stylish and comfortable sofa for under $300.”

Costco

This final store might not be the first one that comes to mind when you are looking to jazz up a new home, but don’t discount it: Costco, where the only discounts are on great items to make your new apartment shine, all within your $2,500-$3,500 budget.

“Costco offers a selection of furniture and home goods at discounted prices for its members, making it a budget-friendly option for furnishing your apartment,” Kozorys said.

“I have seen that there is everything you need to furnish your apartment, from furniture and mattresses to kitchen appliances and décor with a budget of $2,500 or $3,500,” Kozorys added. “I would point out that prices vary depending on the items chosen, but you can find sofas starting at around $400, beds starting at around $200 and dining sets starting at around $300.”