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Eclectic - now there's a word you can sink your teeth into. It means "chosen from various sources". Only the very rich or the very credit encumbered haven't had to use that word to describe the furnishings in their homes at one time or another. As a rule, when you buy or rent your first home or your first apartment, there is little chance you can furnish it with all new pieces or a particular style.

A good coat of paint on the walls is the best place to begin. That can make inexpensive pieces of furniture look better than they are. You must live with it 24/7, so pick colors that please you and yours. Then begin looking for furniture that coordinates with that choice.

Garage/yard sales and classified ads are often good places to begin. The problem there is that family and friends of the seller get first pick. Let your family and friends know what you are in the market for, and you will immediately have more opportunities to succeed.

Second hand stores are another possibility. Always look with an eye to how the pieces can be improved - antiquing, staining, slip covering, etc. If you find a really excellent deal on a piece of furniture that needs to be upholstered, it may be worth your while (and money) to purchase it and find someone to professionally reupholster it. If you happen to have a vocational school in your area that teaches upholstering, the students will do it for you under the supervision of an instructor for a pittance, sometimes just the cost of fabric and other supplies. If not, another option is to get on line and find out how to do it yourself.

Furniture stores often have one or two huge clearance sales annually, but many of them also have a bargain room upstairs, downstairs or in the back. Often they do not advertise this; you have to ask. Do not be shy about asking about discounts, or "bargain basement" items. Also be sure to ask if there is a delivery charge and will it be cheaper for you to pick it up. If the answer is yes, and you do not have a pick up truck, borrow one. Surely someone you know will drive you or let you use theirs. Invest in a nice focal piece and be thrifty on the complimentary pieces.

You have to be true to yourself and determine what is the most important to you - comfort, color, or trends. If you happen to have, say, a musician in the family who plays piano and a piano is a must, then build your room around that. Another thing that must be considered is where heating and air conditioning vents are. You certainly do not want to cover any, so be sure your pieces are not so large or shaped in such a way that they interfere with air flow.

Accessorize once you have your bargains in place. It can make a huge difference. Throw pillows, window accents and rugs can dress up a room no matter what you "saved" on furniture. There are stores such as Ross, TJ Max, Marshalls, and Tuesday Morning where you can find great accessories at reasonable prices.

As time passes, you may add one nice piece at a time to your collection, and don't forget to put the things you are discarding in a garage sale or yard sale. There are scads of people out there just like you who must begin on a tight budget. Share your experience with them; they will appreciate it.

Learn more about this author, Linda Burleson.
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