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Furnishing Your Home on a Budget: Our Apartment for Under $1,000
By Gopi · Last verified
Furnishing your home on a budget is very doable as a newcomer: we furnished our apartment for under $1,000. Finding your way around the Canadian housing market is hard enough, from learning local standards to managing without a car, so here is room by room what worked for us, where we shopped, and two warnings I wish I had heard earlier.
In short
- IKEA for the kitchen: affordable, durable, and a generous return policy.
- Amazon for the bed frame and mattress: light, easy to assemble, delivered to your door.
- Facebook Marketplace for bargains like our futon: check second-hand items carefully for pests.
- Buy a good drill: Canadian homes often come without curtain rods.
- Bidets: fitted ones need a professional install and can still leak. A portable handheld bidet avoids that risk.
Where to shop when furnishing your home on a budget
| Where | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA | Kitchen, storage, basics | Good value and durable; check its current return policy |
| Amazon | Bed frame, mattress, small items | Lightweight, easy to assemble, doorstep delivery |
| Facebook Marketplace | Bigger items like a futon or couch, often free or cheap | Takes patience; inspect everything for pests |
| Temu and Amazon | Small bathroom and home items | Compare prices and reviews before you buy |
Kitchen
My take
IKEA was my go-to for the kitchen: a balance of price and style, products that last, and a generous return policy at the time we shopped.
Their products are both economical and durable, which suits a budget-conscious newcomer. Return rules change, so check the current policy before you buy.
Bathroom
My take
For South Asian and Indian families, a bidet feels like a must-have. But a fitted bidet must be installed by a professional, and even then it can leak. A portable handheld bidet avoids that risk completely.
Before you install a bidet
Have a fitted bidet installed by a professional only. I personally know a few friends who had water leakage despite a professional installation, and the unlucky ones had to replace their entire flooring.
If you do fit one, buy a model made for Canadian plumbing (I learned the hard way that hoses don’t always match), and add a water leak detector so a slow leak doesn’t surprise you.
A portable handheld bidet needs no installation: just fill it with water and use it. It also comes with you when you travel.
Recommended
Portable bidet for travel
A handheld, portable bidet: easy to use, nothing to install, and it travels with you.
View on Amazon (affiliate link)
For other bathroom items there is no one-size-fits-all answer: for small things, compare Temu and Amazon prices and reviews.
Living room
My take
Many Canadian homes don’t come with curtain rods, so invest in a good drill: you will use it again and again. Measure your windows before buying rods and curtains.
Facebook Marketplace is a treasure trove for living room furniture on a budget, if you have the patience to search.
Bedroom
My take
Amazon was excellent for our bed frame and mattress: lightweight, durable, easy to assemble and delivered to the door. A comfortable bed is worth it for your health.
A futon is a great multipurpose piece: a couch by day and a guest bed when family visits. I found a fantastic deal on Facebook Marketplace, and it saves space too.
Home office
My take
If you work from home, consider a height-adjustable desk. It made a real difference to my comfort, and to how often my back needed a physiotherapist.
Smart shopping, and one warning about second-hand items
Online shopping, mainly through Amazon, was the backbone of how we furnished our home, paired with a simple budget and frugal habits. Facebook Marketplace added free or low-cost finds when we had time to look.
Check second-hand items for pests
Second-hand furniture can be a great deal, but always inspect it thoroughly, especially mattresses, upholstered furniture and futons, before you bring it into your home.
Things I use at home
These are my referral and affiliate links. If you sign up through them, I may earn a reward (and with referral links, you may get one too), at no extra cost to you. You can always go to the company's website directly instead.
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Amazon storefront
Amazon storefront:
View on Amazon (affiliate link)
This guide is based on my own experience and what worked for us. Prices, policies and availability change, so check before you buy.
What next
Moving soon? See the things to carry to Canada and download my free Canada Planning Checklist. Once you’re settled, my savings and investment strategies as a new immigrant are a good next read. Questions? Ask in the comments on my YouTube videos.
Spot something outdated? Tell me in the YouTube comments on the related video, or use the contact form.