Kit out your home with recycled goods and save the pennies!

Moving into a brand new house can be an extremely exciting time.

When you first view the property, you have that image in your mind's eye of how it's going to look once you've settled down, bought all that new furniture and kitted it out.

However, what many house hunters don't have at the forefront of their thoughts is their bank balance and exactly how much that's all going to cost.

According to recent figures from Santander, only one in six first-time buyers shell out less than £1,000 on sprucing up their new property, with the national average standing at £3,782.

This corresponds to around three per cent of the mean nationwide house price.

In addition, the findings showed purchasing furniture is one of the biggest expenses facing householders.

The study revealed 43 per cent of people on the first rung of the property ladder spend their first £1,000 on sofas and armchairs, with 41 per cent using the money to go towards beds.

Using recycled furniture may be a good idea

If you're one of the more savvy and cash-conscious property owners who want to do up their dwelling with the minimum of outlay - or even one of the big spenders who want to cut down on the amount they're shelling out - opting for recycled furniture could be a good idea.

That's because one of the most obvious benefits of doing so is the cost - or lack of it.

You can save some serious amounts of money by picking up second-hand items for which others no longer have any need at local charity shops, auctions, flea markets and yard sales - often getting things for free.

In addition, looking online at classified ads sites is also a wise option.

And you could even find yourself getting rid of some of your unwanted things too, as Green Your states: "There are many websites that offer a place for you to buy, sell, or trade furniture. Some … even allow people to give away used furniture and other items for free in exchange for you taking them away yourself."

What to keep in mind when searching for second-hand goods?

But what do you need to think about when looking for second-hand products?

"As you search, think quality. Look for pieces that are sturdy and well-made so they will continue to last a long time. But no matter how hard you look, some furniture you find will need a bit of TLC," the website explains.

Of course, it's not just about the money.

Kitting out your home with second-hand furniture may also be a good idea for those of you who are trying to be a bit more eco-friendly these days.

Making use of used items "is a great way to reuse existing products, thereby reducing the number of natural resources used and keeping useful items out of landfills", Green Your adds.

With Recycling Week (June 21st to 27th) just behind us, now could be the time to get into the spirit of things and start filling up your property with second-hand goods and gain the peace of mind that you're doing your bank balance - and the environment - a few favours.