You have done it! You have moved out of your parent’s house and now have your own place. The problem is you have next to nothing in your bedroom and your budget is not big enough to buy key pieces of furniture like a bed. What you do have is second hand stuff from loving family and friends. Not to despair, let us make a plan that we can build on as our budget increases and yet will not look like we are waiting for your luck to change.

Let us take the minimalist approach. Make the best of what you have and then add small inexpensive items like decorative pillows in neutral shades. This is so that when you add more decorative or throw pillows to your room you will be able to mix and match them better. What basic piece should you have? A mattress is a must, even if you do not have money for a bed frame. Take on a Japanese spin and just place it on the floor. Be sure to invest in good sheets and perhaps a textured coverlet. In this manner it won’t look like you do not have money for a bed frame rather it is the style you wanted. Accessories will make a room look more finished and help you pull that fib off. No money for side tables? Get your hands on big hardcover books from your parent’s or friend’s house, old encyclopedias will work. Stack them up to perhaps 3 to 4 books on top of each other then place a tray to formalize a level area for bedside accessories like an alarm clock or photo frames. No budget for a chair? A bean bag in a neutral shade to match your decorative pillows is inexpensive and would suite your minimalist look.
You have been in your apartment for several months now and although you are not rolling in dough you do have some money to invest in some bedroom pieces. Our strategy now is to invest in some practical pieces. A bed frame should be our number one priority. Try to buy one of sturdy wood, it may cost a bit more but it will ultimately serve you for years longer. For side table get ones with classic clean lines so it won’t look dated after a couple of years and perhaps a couple of low priced lamps and photo frames. Also invest in a reading chair; your bean bag will have to leave the room along with the minimalist look.

After a year or so you can then start to finalize the look of your bedroom. Add color to your room; invest in more accent pieces like deeper toned decorative pillows, comforters or coverlets to make the bed more luxurious. The good investment you made on the bedside tables will now pay off because you can still utilize them but change the table lamps into something more refined and modern. Formalize your reading corner with a chair plus an ottoman to place your feet on as well as a floor lamp for better illumination.