Dear Leanne: I am graduating from university this spring and have just secured my first career job. I have committed to a small condo and have budgeted for a few pieces of furniture. What should I focus on first? I will need everything but my budget will only allow me to get a few major items this first year. Where do I start?
ANSWER: As long as there are new homeowners just starting out, your question will always be timely. You will find that your first-year purchasing list will be a conflict between what you need and what you want.
Some things should be an automatic first when you are starting off. My No. 1 suggestion: a very good quality mattress and box spring. You can dress up a mattress with an inexpensive headboard, but a comfortable mattress is invaluable.
The next items really depend on your need. If saving money and watching your spending are priorities, you will likely learn that eating in is a better option than dining out. That would suggest a well-built table and comfortable chairs.
If you are crafty, consider visiting your local hardware store and purchasing wood for a table top and four precut legs. Many such stores have a selection of basic furniture items that you assemble yourself.
Chairs, on the other hand, need to be comfortable as well as stable. If you are expecting to do any work at home, make sure you have a chair that will provide support and comfort.
If you select carefully, you may not need a different chair for office or computer work.
Once those two purchases are taken care of, you can move into your list of wants. Entertainment and technology might be your focus. Consider a wall-mounted, flat-screen television as you will not need furniture to rest it on. You will need to purchase the mounting system, so consider your options.
When it comes to storage and shelving, industrial metal floor shelves that are used in garages are trendy. These are extremely sturdy, easily assembled and disassembled (when the time is right), can be painted and, best of all, they're inexpensive. After that, it is strictly up to your budget, your needs and your wish list.
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