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Can you furnish a new home for less than £8,000? Research shows that it is certainly possible provided you don't go overboard. In fact, if you cut your budget fine you could get away with half that amount. Having paid your deposit, legal fees and stamp duty, the list of household items that you want to buy will, no doubt, be larger and more expensive than the list of items that you actually need. 
In order to budget effectively, Halifax Estate Agents recommends that all new home-owners draw up three lists of household items – 'essentials', 'nice to haves' and 'total luxuries', which will help them to prioritise their purchases. Research shows that these items can be bought for £3,751, £2,277 and £2,165, respectively. Colin Kemp, managing director, Halifax Estate Agents, said: “As a general rule when you move into a new house you need something to sleep on, something to sit on, basic cooking and washing facilities and something to eat from. Beyond that, if you are on a tight budget, it could be argued that everything else is a luxury." "But most people want their new home to look and feel great from day one and so the list of ‘essentials’ tends to grow substantially." | | Halifax Estate Agents' guide to furnishing a new home | | Essentials | Nice-to-Haves | Luxuries | | Bed
Bedding
Bedroom curtains
Sofa/chair
Crockery
Cutlery
Set of knives
Set of utensils
Oven
Microwave
Pans
Kettle
Toaster
Towels
Fridge
TV
Video
Iron
Ironing board
Mirror
Telephone
Vacuum cleaner
Stereo | Dining table and chairs
DVD
Digital TV
Washing machine
Spare bed
Freezer
Chairs
Cushions
Rugs
DIY tools
Wardrobes
Wineglasses
Framed pictures
Lawn mower
Home cinema system
Food processor
Fryer | Plasma screen TV
Garden furniture
Dishwasher
Computer
Coffee machine
Coffee grinder
Pasta set
Towel warmer
Tumble dryer
Smoothie maker
Coffee table
Wine rack | | | There are lots of ways to kit out your new home without breaking the bank - whether you save up, borrow a little extra, buy items gradually, or accept unwanted furniture, appliances and household goods from friends or relatives. You might also be able to negotiate with the seller to leave things like carpets, curtains, fridges and washing machines in the property. Online search facilities, such as www.halifaxshoppingextra.com, www.pricerunner.co.uk or www.priceguideuk.com will also help you get the best deals on your new household items. The same Bosch spin washing machine, for example, can vary in price from £299 to £408 depending on where you buy it from and a simple Russell Hobbs classic stainless steel toaster can vary in price from £22.49 to £38.45. In addition, many stores offer starter pack sets, which provide an affordable solution for building up 'essential' items. Ikea's start-box sets for cookware include pans, knives and cooking utensils for £55 and its tableware set includes four place settings of plates, bowls, cups, glasses and cutlery for £65. 
Taking the list above and pricing it could give a good indication of the total price for your options of 'essentials', 'nice to haves' and 'total luxuries'. This one was priced using Debenams during April 2005, but you should do you own list, particularly as time goes by. | | Prices researched for Halifax Estate Agents' guide to furnishing a new home | | Essentials | Nice-to-Haves | Luxuries | | Richmond bed £183.20
Complete bedding set £45
Brussels roman blind £44
Salerno 3 seater sofa £719.20
White 16pc crockery set £96
Pisa 65 piece cutlery boxed set £50
14 piece knife block set £30
90cm polished stainless steel range cooker £1,749
H-209 microwave £60
5 piece pan set £50
Phillips Mistral iron £20
Neo 2 slice toaster £12.50
Everyday cotton towels £13
21" TV/ Video combi £170.10
Tall fridge £239
Mistral iron £30
Minky ironing board £27
Hamilton full length mirror £64
BT freestyle 2200 £34
Ultralight cyclone £80
Micro system £35.10
| Ash veneer dinning table £199.20
Alba DVD player £49
Beko 15 programme washing machine £199
Freeview set top box £89.10
Richmond bed £183.20
Tall freezer £295
Rattan four piece set and cushions £239.20
Stone rug £69
Drill and 10 piece accessory set £49
Richmond 2 door wardrobe £159.20
4 white wine glasses £18
Double photo frame £20
Flymo vision compact £179
DVD home theatre package 404.10
Morphy Richards food processor £90
Delonghi fryer £35 | 17" Phillips LCD £584.10
Patio furniture set £170
45cm smeg free standing dishwasher £349
Quantum pc Celeron D330 £599
Krups expert coffee filter £50
Coffee grinder £25
Rove pasta set £40
Aquarius tumble dryer £179
Kenwood smoothie maker £40
Rattan coffee table £79.20
Arched wine rack £50 | Total Cost £3,751.10 | Total Cost £2,277 | Total cost £2,165.30 | Total Overall Cost £8193.40 | Source: www.debenhams.com. Prices correct as of 14th April 2005. | | |
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