Cheapest Way to Furnish a Studio in Seattle

[ektaylor]

I moved into a new studio last night. Everything is great aside from not having any furniture (not including a blow up mattress, TV stand and a fold up chair).

How's craigslist in Seattle? I only really have experience using it in the Bay Area. There also seems to be much more of an Eames/HM/Danish/etc focus here than in CA.

To get to the point: how do I get MCM **** in my 7th floor apartment for cheap with a Rav4 and one pair of hands.

 

[Nouveau Pauvre]

Dumpster dive. Freecycle. Ask friends for old things.

That's how I did it.

 

[Jayhawk1412]

Craigslist in Seattle is actually pretty decent. I furnished a lot of my condo through buying craigslist items.

Also, going to garage sales in the Mercer Island area is a good idea too. Lots of rich people getting rid of stuff on the weekends over there.

 

[ektaylor]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk1412

Craigslist in Seattle is actually pretty decent. I furnished a lot of my condo through buying craigslist items.

Also, going to garage sales in the Mercer Island area is a good idea too. Lots of rich people getting rid of stuff on the weekends over there.

I work in Mercer Island--when I'm not working in Bellevue, of course. I'll keep my eye out for garage sales. Any suggestions on where to look? I'm still pretty new the area.

 

[holymadness]

In NY and Paris there is always old furniture lying in the streets on garbage day. You could try just wandering around with an eye open.

And then there's IKEA.

 

[whiteslashasian]

Originally Posted by holymadness

In NY and Paris there is always old furniture lying in the streets on garbage day. You could try just wandering around with an eye open.

And then there's IKEA.

I would leave furniture found on the sidewalk be. Bed bugs and all that; NOT worth it...

Ikea is a good place to go for inexpensive studio gear.

 

[ratboycom]

Hit up the Redmond IKEA (I think its in that part of town... right?)

 

[holymadness]

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

I would leave furniture found on the sidewalk be. Bed bugs and all that; NOT worth it...

Ikea is a good place to go for inexpensive studio gear.
Bedbugs don't live in wooden tables and chairs. The more real possibility is that it's just broken, but it's always worth taking a look.

 

[whiteslashasian]

Originally Posted by holymadness

Bedbugs don't live in wooden tables and chairs. The more real possibility is that it's just broken, but it's always worth taking a look.

True, but upholstered couches and the like can be a problem.

 

[IUtoSLU]

No Goodwills around those parts?

 

[Jayhawk1412]

Originally Posted by ratboycom

Hit up the Redmond IKEA (I think its in that part of town... right?)
Nah, IKEA is actually in Renton/Tukwila area. Just head south on 405 and you'll run into it near Southcenter Mall. Other suggestions.... Cost Plus World Market has some cool stuff which is inexpensive. Pier One Imports is alright too. There is a Goodwill in Bellevue, I've been to it once a few years ago but you might get lucky. I live on Alki Beach and there's gonna be a ton of garage sales this weekend in my area. Also, Pike Place has cool pictures and stuff and theres some furniture stores down in that area too.

 

[Joffrey]

yard sales, estate sales, free **** on craigslist

 

[ektaylor]

Originally Posted by Jodum5

free **** on craigslist
Is this actually a good place to look? Am I getting rotted out couches, desks that have to be moved out of the 20th floor of a downtown office building, or a leftovers from my moneyed neighbors? I'll try the goodwill in Bellevue tomorrow at lunch. If I can find time in my schedule maybe I'll swing by Alki Beach--think it's worth waking up early for?

 

[Jayhawk1412]

Originally Posted by ektaylor

Is this actually a good place to look? Am I getting rotted out couches, desks that have to be moved out of the 20th floor of a downtown office building, or a leftovers from my moneyed neighbors?

I'll try the goodwill in Bellevue tomorrow at lunch. If I can find time in my schedule maybe I'll swing by Alki Beach--think it's worth waking up early for?

Well Alki is nice just a nice place to visit, and the garage sales are pretty good. But honestly, you're better off staying on Mercer Island and going to the garage sales in that area. You're living the the most expensive zip code in the state, and people travel from all over WA to go to the garage sales on Mercer Island. I can't personally vouch for them because I've never been, but I have heard really good things.

I picked up a Dania leather couch on Mercer Island that I saw on craigslist. It retailed for $1,100 and they sold it to me for $150. So its all about timing.

 

[ektaylor]

What do you guys think of a "second hand mattress"? Is this ever a good idea? Please advise.