A Single Girl’s Guide to Furnishing Your Rental

Decking out your home when you’re flying solo isn’t always easy, but these tips will help.

Being single isn’t always a walk in the park. Aside from the obvious – the loneliness and lack of intimacy and having to navigate the frankly horrendous world of app-based dating – it’s just more expensive. Living alone comes with a ‘singles tax’ that can add up to thousands of dollars annually. There’s no one to split the rent and groceries with (or your Netflix subscription) and no one to go halves with on that expensive new couch you’ve been eyeing up.

As a long-time single girlie and a long-time renter, I’ve had to furnish my place entirely on my own, albeit with the contributions of housemates here and there. I’ve learnt how to do it on a shoestring budget and still have it look well-curated and inviting, so read on for my hardwon tips and tricks for furnishing your rental as a solo gal.

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1. Make the most of Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is an absolute treasure trove of incredibly affordable pieces for your home. Over the years, I’ve found some of my favourite pieces on there – a gorgeous mid-century dining table, an incredibly comfortable Ikea bed base with drawers, unique lamps and rugs, among other pieces – and all for an absolute bargain. Of course, you do need to be prepared to search regularly. I search several times a week, sometimes every day, when I’m after a particular piece. It also pays to be specific with your searches (e.g. ‘Black bentwood dining chairs’) to help narrow down the results to pieces you might actually like.

Items get snapped up really quickly, so send a message to the seller straight away if you see something you like – you can often negotiate a price down, too. If you do bite the bullet and buy something, be wary of anyone who asks for a cash deposit before you’ve collected the item. I always opt for cash or a bank transfer upon seeing the item in person. And if you’re purchasing anything you’ll be sitting or sleeping on, make sure you check that it’s actually comfortable before going ahead with the purchase.

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2. Don’t be afraid to call on your friends

All that talk of Facebook Marketplace reminds me of a crucial component of successfully furnishing your rental as a single girlie: leaning on your friends. Whether it’s borrowing someone’s car, having them over for cheese and crackers when you first move in (and corralling them into helping you set up your bed base after a few wines), or buying their unwanted pieces to furnish your own place, your friends are an essential component of furnishing your home. Just remember to pay it forward when they need a hand.

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3. Invest in high-quality bedding

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in adulthood, it’s the importance of investing in high-quality bedding. The money that you save buying your core furniture pieces from Facebook Marketplace can be redirected into purchasing buttery soft sheets and doonas and cuddly throws and cushions. Your bedroom will immediately become more inviting, and you’ll actually look forward to your solo bedtime where you can cozy up, whack a facemask on, and watch endless episodes of Real Housewives without some guy ruining the zen atmosphere.

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4. Mirrors can open up your space

If you can’t afford a roomy space (let’s be real, who can in this economy?), putting mirrors in the right places can really open your home up. Putting a full-length mirror in your space is a great way to do this, as it guides the eyes upwards making the room feel bigger than it actually is. If you’re really pressed for space, placing a mirror behind some furniture can help draw attention to these pieces while also adding depth to the room.

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5. It’s all about the little touches

When curating your space, don’t forget the impact the little touches can have. Some well hung prints will immediately inject a little personality, and fortunately you can often get them for a pretty good price. When investing in paintings has been out of reach for me financially, I’ve found prints from artists I like online and taken them to my local framer. I’ve found they’re just as effective as a painting at making a space feel more ‘me’ and they usually only set me back around $150 to 250, including the frame. If you’re worried your landlord won’t like you hanging things on your walls, it’s always worth asking them as many are perfectly happy for you to do so.

Trinkets for your home can be found at your local op shops if you get into the habit of regularly scouring them, and I’ve also found perfectly good rugs, plant stands, and candle holders there over the years. And finally, don’t underestimate the power of some well situated lamps. I’ve found some great ones on Facebook Marketplace and at op shops over the years, and they always make my house feel much more inviting in the evenings. Just make sure you opt for a warm-toned LED bulb (cool lighting is a big no no for me).