Furnishing a new place is fun and exciting — right up until you peek at your bank account and realize a single coffee table costs as much as a week’s worth of groceries. But according to TikToker @chelseaexplainsitall, you don’t need a huge budget to make a small space feel stylish, original, and put together. In fact, she’s furnishing her new studio to look like a boutique hotel lobby — and she’s doing it on a shoestring.
Here are her best tricks for making a space look intentional and full of character without breaking the bank, plus a few more bonus tips.
1. Use Lugg to Score Furniture Deals You Can’t Pick Up Yourself
The biggest frustration with thrifting or treasure-hunting on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist is seeing an incredible piece… and then realizing you have no way to haul it home. That’s where Lugg comes in.
“Lugg is like Uber for furniture,” says Chelsea. “You can hire up to two luggers, and you have options to get a pickup truck or up to a box truck for moving large things.”
She says the app has been a game-changer, and she’s used it to snag couches and high-end pieces she wouldn’t have been able to transport on her own, including items she found for free. If you’re furnishing on a budget, access to cheap transport opens up a whole new world of decor options, says Chelsea.
2. Search Facebook Marketplace the Smart Way
Most people search Facebook Marketplace for “coffee table” or “couch,” but Chelsea takes a different approach. She searches for materials instead, like:
- Marble
- Granite
- Walnut
- Brass
- Unlacquered glass
This pulls up listings that wouldn’t appear in a traditional search, such as older listings, mislabeled items, or pieces that sellers don’t know the value of. By searching material-first, you can find high-end pieces for a fraction of their original price, Chelsea says.
3. Build a Mood Board Before You Buy a Single Thing
Before buying anything, Chelsea recommends having a strong vision. “Having a mood board gives you a clear idea of what you want and don’t want your final space to look like.”
For her boutique hotel-inspired studio, she saves photos on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok until the aesthetic clicks. That way, when she’s scrolling through Marketplace or browsing thrift stores, she instantly knows whether a piece fits the vibe or will throw everything off.
4. Go Funky, Not Basic
One of her most counterintuitive (but clever) tips? Skip the safe, basic choices.
“If you buy just very basic stuff — tan couch, basic rug, grey everything — you’ll end up spending so much more money trying to make the space look finished and interesting,” Chelsea says.
Instead, start with a piece that already has personality (think a bold chair, a sculptural coffee table, or a patterned rug). Not only will this make your space feel designed and original, it will also save you from spending more down the line on accent pieces like pillows, blankets, and decor.
Statement pieces equal fewer filler purchases, notes Chelsea.
5. Fill the Space Now, Upgrade Later
Chelsea calls this the “placeholder method.” She’ll grab a free or ultra-cheap piece, like a basic coffee table from Marketplace, and “finish” it for now.
“I’ll get a free coffee table and put marble contact paper on it,” she says. “Then I’ll keep looking for the actual thing I want.” This offers two benefits, says Chelsea:
- Your home feels complete right now.
- You can take your time hunting for the perfect long-term piece at a price point that fits your budget.
6. Start With One Corner
When you’re decorating on a budget, it can feel overwhelming to tackle an entire room at once. A simple workaround is to focus on just one area first — aka, the spot you see the most, like your sofa nook, entryway, or bed.
Finishing a single corner gives your space an instant lift and makes the whole room feel more pulled together, even if everything else is still in progress. It also helps you get a better sense of how your colors, textures, and overall vibe come together before you commit to more purchases.
7. Mix High, Low, Thrift, and DIY
One of the most budget-friendly approaches to decorating is by combining different price points and sources to achieve your final vision. A good formula:
- Thrift the big pieces like tables, chairs, dressers, and shelves.
- Buy affordable accent pieces from stores like H&M Home, Target, IKEA, or HomeGoods to stay on budget.
- DIY the details: Add contact paper, change out hardware, repaint frames, or reupholster seats to give them a unique touch.
- Splurge only on items that you’ll use everyday, like your mattress, sofa, or desk chair.
The result? A space that looks elevated and intentional, but costs a fraction of what a full-price makeover would be.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a huge budget to furnish a small space beautifully and with intention. With a bit of creativity (and a few smart tricks), you can build a home that feels curated, cozy, and totally you.
So when you move into your next place, remember: A solid vision board, a little Facebook Marketplace strategy, and some Lugg muscle can go a long way.
More thrifting tips on Cheapism
- 8 Thrifting Tips You Need To Know, According to Redditors — We went down the Reddit rabbit hole to find some of the best thrifting tips for making the most out of your next haul.
- Don’t Make These 11 Mistakes the Next Time You Go Thrifting — As fun as thrifting can be, it’s important to avoid common pitfalls such as overlooking quality or buying items that don’t fit properly or suit your style.
- 12 Risky Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace — Shopping on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace comes with risks — here are the big ones.
