Moving into your own apartment, or a new one, can be exciting. It also comes with its financial constraints. Sometime in 2021, right after the COVID-19 Pandemic, in this ever-bustling city of Lagos, I started my search for the perfect apartment. Just like many others, it was quite a difficult experience. After several failed attempts, and many disappointing promises from Lagos house agents, I finally found the perfect apartment to rent.

Filled with excitement and relief after an overwhelming house-hunting experience, I had to pay and sign the housing agreement with my agent and landlord, then I waited eagerly till the day I could move in. However, little did I know that setting up my newly found apartment to a friendly budget would be quite challenging. As I walked through the empty space for the first time, I soon realised the magnitude of the task ahead.

The walls were bare, the floors were cold, and the echoes of emptiness filled the rooms. It was clear to me that transforming this space into a cosy and functional apartment would require careful planning and resourcefulness. I soon started receiving affordable apartment decorating ideas and money-saving setup tips from friends and colleagues. With a limited budget (most of my money went into paying the rent!), I decided to set up my apartment in the most cost-effective way possible. Also, I quickly learnt that there were five essential things to prioritise in order to achieve a budget-friendly apartment setup.

This article will shed light on the five essential things you need to set up your new apartment on a budget, from selecting budget-friendly furniture options to choosing affordable kitchen essentials. Feel free to grab a pen and paper as we run through this essential list together.

Furniture

My first hurdle was finding a budget-friendly furniture option that perfectly fits the apartment’s dimensions. I scoured thrift stores for low-cost apartment essentials, and online marketplaces, and even asked friends and family for any furniture pieces that had become surplus to their requirements.

For ease of shopping, I checked declutterhome.ng on Instagram and was able to get a piece of portable and comfortable furniture. Slowly but surely, I was able to gather a comfortable couch at ₦40,000, a sturdy dining table for ₦60,000, and a cozy bed at ₦45,000.

I also had the option of visiting a proper furniture market at Cement Bus Stop, Egbeda, a suburb of Lagos, but for ease, I went for declutterhome.ng.

Affordable Kitchen Essentials

Cooking and eating at home were very important to me, as someone who once lived a life of always buying food and spending so much, I value cooking at home so much now. So, setting up the kitchen was a top priority. It was quite seamless for me to get kitchen utensils as I visited the popular Sunday Market in Ogba, Lagos. I invested in a few basic pots and pans, utensils, and dishes at ₦6,000 for each piece. To further
save money, I even opted for affordable appliances like a used microwave, for as low as ₦25,000, and also found some stylish yet inexpensive storage solutions.

Lighting

The apartment’s poor lighting made it feel gloomy, so I sought out affordable lighting options. I dedicated my time to searching declutterhome.ng for good energy-efficient LED light bulbs, which costs less than ₦2,000 to brighten the space and added a few strategically placed floor and table lamps to create a cosy ambiance, making the apartment look really good. You can have access to a variety of options when you visit the popular Alaba Market.

Curtain and rugs

Having a private space and controlling the amount of natural light was crucial for me. But nothing prepared me for the prices and how expensive getting curtains and rugs were. Growing up, we always just saw that these things were provided and kept in every window and corner of the home. However, instead of the expensive curtains or blinds, I found affordable alternatives like adhesive window films and temporary paper blinds, which were cost-effective because I was able to pick this from family and friends. These alternative options not only served their purpose but also added a touch of style to the windows.

Personal touches

Finally, I knew that adding personal touches would make the apartment feel like home. I decided to display cherished photographs, adorned the walls with some art prints, which by the way, were made by my friend (one can say I am doing well to showcase his work, what a good friend I am), and incorporated plants to bring life and freshness into the space. These small touche made significant differences, helping to create a warm and inviting ambience. On a lighter note, the thoughts of turning my small apartment into a short-let and renting it occasionally crossed my mind.

And the whole essence of the matter is…

You too can get to set up your new apartment on a budget by going for these options and maintaining an affordable yet stylish apartment furnishing. As weeks turned into months, my determination paid off. My apartment slowly transformed from an empty shell into a cosy, yet inviting abode. It was a testament to my resourcefulness, creativity, and ability to find affordable solutions to having an inexpensively furnished apartment. Setting up a budget-friendly apartment was indeed a challenge, but my perseverance and willingness to think outside the box made it possible. As I joined my friends to sit on the comfortable couch after a job well done, surrounded by the carefully curated space, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

The apartment was not only a reflection of my personality but also a testament to the power of transforming the apartment into a home, even on a budget.

Eze Goodluck is a communications professional with interest in advertising, real estate and
entertainment. He live in Lagos.

Meiza Nigeria