Moving into your first home or apartment is one of the most tuckara.com/post/kmart-home-finds-under-20" title="10 Kmart Home Finds Under That Look Absolutely Expensive">expensive things you'll do — and most people do it badly, buying things they don't need in the wrong order from the wrong places. This guide is the plan that prevents that. Room by room, priority by priority, source by source.
The Principle: Needs Before Wants
The single biggest mistake first-home furnishers make is buying decorative items before functional ones. A scented candle is lovely. A bed is necessary. Buy in this order: sleep, cooking, cleaning, seating, storage, decoration. Everything else waits until you have money to spare.
The $3,000 Budget Breakdown
- Bedroom: $600–$800
- Living room: $500–$700
- Kitchen and dining: $300–$500
- Bathroom: $150–$200
- Cleaning and household: $100–$150
- Miscellaneous/buffer: $200–$300
Bedroom — First Priority ($600–$800)
Bed frame and mattress: $300–$500
The mattress is the one item worth spending properly on — you spend a third of your life on it. A cheap mattress affects sleep quality, which affects everything else. IKEA's Hövåg ($299–$399 depending on size) consistently reviews well at its price point. For the frame, Facebook Marketplace often has solid timber bed frames in excellent condition for $50–$150.
Bedding: $80–$150
Sheet set, quilt/duvet, pillows and pillowcases. Kmart and Target have complete bedding sets at $60–$80. Add a quilt for $40–$60. Don't skimp on pillows — two good ones matter for sleep quality.
Wardrobe if not built-in: $100–$200
IKEA PAX is the standard for good reason — modular, wide range of configurations, and lasting. A basic 100cm PAX unit starts at around $180. Alternatively, a freestanding wardrobe from Kmart or Temple & Webster at $80–$150.
Living Room ($500–$700)
Sofa: $300–$500
The sofa is the most expensive living room purchase and the one where the second-hand market makes the most sense. Facebook Marketplace has good-condition sofas from reputable brands regularly for $100–$300. If buying new, IKEA's KIVIK and Temple & Webster's entry range both offer reliable options at $400–$600. Skip the matching armchair for now.
Coffee table: $0–$80
Facebook Marketplace, op shops, or a simple Kmart option. This is not a priority purchase — use a tray on the floor until you find something you like.
TV unit: $60–$120
Kmart and IKEA both have practical TV units at $60–$120. The TV itself is a personal purchase — if you already have one, great. If not, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman both have refurbished and clearance options.
Rug: $79–$149
A rug is the highest-impact living room purchase relative to cost. IKEA's entry rugs from $79 or Kmart from $49 are adequate for a first home. Get the largest size that fits the space — a rug that's too small undermines everything else.
Lighting: $50–$80
At minimum, one floor lamp — the overhead light that comes with rentals is almost always harsh and unflattering. Kmart arc floor lamp from $39. Add a table lamp later.
Kitchen and Dining ($300–$500)
Dining table and chairs: $150–$300
Facebook Marketplace is the best source. A solid timber table and four chairs is available for $80–$200 in most Australian cities if you're patient. If buying new, IKEA's LISABO and LERHAMN ranges offer tables from $130 and chairs from $30 each.
Cookware: $80–$150
You need: one large pot (soups, pasta, stock), one medium saucepan, one frying pan (non-stick for eggs, stainless or cast iron for everything else). Kmart's cookware sets at $50–$80 cover all three. Add a cast iron pan later when budget allows.
Kitchen essentials: $50–$80
Knife (one good chef's knife — spend $30–$50 on this, not $5), cutting board, silicone spatula, wooden spoon, colander, peeler, kitchen scissors. Kmart covers all of these at good prices.
Bathroom ($150–$200)
You need: towels (2 bath, 2 hand), bath mat, shower caddy or tension shelf, toilet brush and bin. Kmart covers all of this for $80–$120. Add a mirror from Kmart if there isn't one ($25–$45). A reed diffuser or candle ($12–$15) makes the bathroom feel finished.
Where to Shop, in Order
- Facebook Marketplace: Sofas, bed frames, dining tables, bookshelves, wardrobes, lamps. Often half the new price or less. Patience is required but the savings are significant.
- IKEA: Mattresses, bed frames, modular storage (PAX, KALLAX), basic kitchen items. Quality is honest and the price is fair.
- Kmart: Bedding, towels, kitchen tools, rugs, lamps, bathroom accessories, decorative items. Excellent value across the board.
- Op shops: Cookware, glassware, small appliances, timber furniture, frames. Particularly useful for kitchen and bathroom items.
- Temple & Webster sale events: Mid-year and end of year sales bring good quality furniture to competitive prices. Worth watching if you can wait.
What to Skip in the First 3 Months
Decorative cushions, artwork, plants, extra lighting, a coffee machine, a stand mixer or other appliances, a second sofa, side tables, bookshelves full of books you'll buy later. None of these are urgent. Get the functional foundation right first — comfortable sleep, a working kitchen, somewhere to sit — then add the rest gradually.
How much does it cost to furnish a first home in Australia?
Furnishing a first home in Australia from scratch costs approximately $2,000–$5,000 for a complete functional setup, depending on how much you buy second-hand. A budget approach using Facebook Marketplace for large furniture, IKEA for beds and storage, and Kmart for household essentials can furnish a complete home for $2,500–$3,500. Buying everything new from mid-range retailers costs $5,000–$10,000+.
What furniture should I buy first for a new home in Australia?
Buy in this order: bed and mattress (sleep is non-negotiable), bedding, basic cookware and kitchen tools, essential cleaning supplies, and a sofa. Everything else — decorative items, extra storage, artwork, plants, additional appliances — comes after the functional foundation is in place. Spending on decoration before you have a comfortable bed is the most common first-home furnishing mistake.
Where is the cheapest place to buy furniture in Australia?
Facebook Marketplace is the cheapest source for large furniture (sofas, dining tables, bed frames, wardrobes) — often 50–70% less than new. IKEA offers the best value for new furniture, particularly for beds, modular storage and kitchen items. Kmart is excellent for soft furnishings, bedding, towels and kitchen accessories. Op shops are best for cookware, glassware and occasional furniture finds.