How to furnish your property without breaking the bank

Furnishing a second property isn't always easy.. Do you want to decorate it and make it comfortable without breaking the bank? Here are all our tips for giving it unrivalled charm on a small budget!

1/ Online

Rakuten

This resale site will be one of your gold mines for finding furniture as well as decor. Here, you can buy and sell in complete safety. A great way to do a bit of upcycling and find pieces you won't come across anywhere else.

Le bon coin

The site has had a makeover and now offers simplified delivery. Secure payment has also been strengthened and you can search by location. That way, you can go and see the piece of furniture before you buy it. There's even an app available now!

Vinted

This one we recommend above all for decor. You'll find very affordable vintage small pieces there. That's right! For the past few months, Vinted has had a home category. Cups, tablecloths, plates, lamps... it's all there! What we love hunting for? Beautiful vintage plates for a colourful kitchen full of character.

2/ Directly from traders

If buying online doesn't really appeal to you, and you like to inspect a product from every angle, don't panic! It's perfectly possible to furnish your place for next to nothing without straying far from home.

Emmaüs

Who hasn't heard of Emmaüs? They have warehouses just about everywhere and not only do they let you furnish your place cheaply, they'll also take your old furniture off your hands!

Antiques fairs and car boot sales

Keep an eye out for the antiques fairs and car boot sales taking place in your town. Also look into flea markets, which are generally held every day in a fixed location. It's the best way to meet traders and tell them what you're after if you're looking for a particular piece.

If you know how to haggle, this is the best place to find little gems for next to nothing.

Make the most of the sales

One of the simplest tactics, if you have time to browse the shops and, above all, to wait for the sales. Hold on until the second or third round of reductions to be sure you're paying as little as possible.

Otherwise, you can also go for display models. They're usually cheaper than the rest. Ask as well whether the shop has a "seconds" section with discounted items that you can easily do up if you're handy with tools.

Boulinier, Gibert...

Want a little extra for your flat? A small bookcase for your guests. Or some decor made from stacked books. There's no need to buy new books for that: pop into a second-hand shop such as Boulinier or Gibert. You'll find books there for less than a euro!Now you know it all! No more excuses for not furnishing your property with style. And if you still need convincing, remember that an unusual property is what gets guests talking about you. You won't manage that by heading to a big chain store or going for bland decor!

Here is a summary of the main options for furnishing your property affordably, depending on whether you prefer to shop online or in person.

Option	Where to buy	Key advantages
Online - Second-hand resale	Rakuten, Le Bon Coin, Vinted	Secure payment, geographic search, upcycling, unique pieces
In-person - Non-profit	Emmaüs	Locations throughout France, takes away your old furniture
In-person - Second-hand markets	Antique fairs, flea markets, local markets	Room to negotiate, direct contact, rare finds
In-person - Retail stores	Sales, display models, damaged goods sections	Wait for second or third markdown for lowest price, restoring is possible
In-person - Second-hand bookstores	Boulinier, Gibert	Books under one euro, small bookshelf or decorative stacks

Frequently asked questions

Which websites should I use to furnish a rental cheaply? Rakuten, Le Bon Coin and Vinted are the three references mentioned in the article. Rakuten and Le Bon Coin work well for furniture, with secure payment and location-based search so you can see the piece before buying. Vinted stands out mostly for small vintage decor items: dishes, lamps, tablecloths.

How does Emmaüs work for furnishing a property? Emmaüs has warehouses all over France where you can find furniture at low prices. According to the article, the advantage is that they also let you get rid of your old furniture at the same time. It’s a direct, in-person solution, with no online middleman.

How can I take advantage of sales to furnish my property? The article recommends waiting for the second or third markdown to pay as little as possible. Display items, usually cheaper, are also an option, as is the “damaged goods” section when a shop has one. You just need to be ready to fix up a slightly damaged piece yourself.

Where can I find cheap books to decorate a rental? The article recommends second-hand bookshops such as Boulinier or Gibert, where you can find books for less than one euro. A small bookshelf or a stack of books used as decor gives a rental character for your guests. There’s no need to buy new books for this effect.

Should I avoid big furniture chains when furnishing my rental? The article takes a clear stance here: shopping at a big chain or going for flat, uniform decor won’t make a rental stand out. It’s better to aim for an atypical property, built with pieces found online, from local sellers or at flea markets. That mix is what gives a place charm and makes travelers talk about it.