The Affordable Place Where I Buy All My Furniture

With just six suitcases, 26 boxes, and a head full of dreams, our little family of three relocated to America from Australia last year. We sold all our major furniture and décor items Down Under before the big move; it was time to start again with a clean slate in our new L.A. home. The Silver Lake apartment we scored was newly renovated with fresh white walls, polished concrete floors, and granite countertops in the kitchen; we couldn’t wait to get started.

After a quick trip to IKEA for the usual kitchen necessities, we started looking for the right pieces to decorate our space. We didn’t even need to get in the car; we just turned on the computer and searched on what has become our favorite affordable store: Craigslist. Now we’re hooked. The best part is the thrill of the hunt; you never know what you’re going to stumble upon, and it’s not all secondhand either. We found a brand-new Tuft & Needle king-size mattress for $350 (it retails for $750) from someone who accidentally bought two, a stunning square granite coffee table, and a set of retro Bose Beovox RL6000 speakers from the ’90s.

But when you find that amazing one-off or new piece you love, the waiting game from the time you email until you hear back from the buyer can be excruciating—and thrilling. Those who know this feeling may be nodding and smiling in agreement, but for those who don’t, here is a little Craigslist counsel to get you started.

What’s your secret shopping haunt for affordable furniture?

This post was originally published on June 15, 2016, and has been updated by Sacha Strebe.