This past week, with the help of my mum, I furnished my living room for less than $200. How did I manage it? With a little vision and some great stores in Rochester that everyone should be taking advantage of! In this economy it is becoming increasingly important to watch our budgets. You can also support the environment and recycle by buying used items. I bought 3 main pieces. A white wicker double chest of draws from Salvation Army for $50. With a few coats of black spray paint it looked like a very new and expensive piece! I also found two side tables in Kismet’s bargain corner for $20 each. In the store they looked like two monstrosities from the 80’s, but again with a few coats of black flat (matt) paint they looked modern and new. Both of these pieces needed a bit of imagination to envision what they could be and of course, some effort to get them looking nice again. They had a great shape and just needed to be updated. Then I found a more expensive piece, though still on sale, to brighten up the room: a large mosaic mirror in Home Goods for $65. With two new table lamps from Kirkland’s for $12 each and two cushions from Pier One for $7 that needed a bit of sewing, my room was complete. I also visited Community Clothesline where I found a few accessories (glass candle holder, glass plate for décor) and with a few extras from Salvation Army (like a fake plant for $5 with some decorative beads from Tangerine.) I added some finishing touches to the room. I also went to Savers where I found a lovely side table, though it looked better in my den!!

It felt so good to not only refurbish older pieces (great way to recycle!) but also to support so many great stores in Rochester! It was fun to have projects to do and in the end I felt like I got more character than any mass produced $300+ furniture piece would have provided. I didn’t think to take before and after photos, but here are a few of the refinished pieces! Remember, just because someone else no longer has use for a particular piece of furniture, doesn’t mean that it couldn’t look great in your house! Check out Kismet (such an amazing store), Salvation Army, Community Clothesline and Savers regularly for some great bargains and help recycle unwanted stuff!! Don’t forget to accessorize too (Tangerine, Kirkland’s, Pier One are great for accessories!)