15 Ways to Ready a Summer Home on the Cheap
2. And while you’re at it, skip the rugs. It’s easier to clean bare floors, and they feel cooler in summer anyway. Cha-ching! More money still in the bank.
5. Stock up on thrifted dishes and glassware. Fill those empty cupboards for a song by scooping up white dishes and clear glassware at yard sales, junk shops and flea markets whenever you see them. It’s far cheaper to buy pieces one or two at a time, because most people are looking for a set, so singles typically get priced way lower. Your “mismatched” set will still look cohesive (and perhaps even more charming) in subtle variations on white.
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8. Embrace hand-me-downs and roadside finds. If you can get something free, whether from your own house or from a relative, a friend, or the curb, count your lucky stars. If your own house is a little overstuffed, shifting a few pieces to the summer cottage will improve both homes at once. When picking up roadside freebies, avoid upholstered pieces (which may harbor bedbugs) and anything that may contain lead (like old painted furniture), especially if you have little ones in the house.
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12. But skip the bed frames. Mattresses stacked on a simple platform can be just as attractive as a fancy bed, once they’re dressed up in pretty linens. And skipping the expensive bed frames adds up to big savings, especially if you need enough beds to sleep a large family and guests.