New sub! I am clearly not the target audience here... mil vet, mechanic, engineering student... but I wanted advice on decorating after my ex left and this channel has been amazing for that. I still have a long way to go and lots to learn, but your videos have already improved the feel of my entire home. Thanks so much Arvin!
Oh JR, i think you are exactly the target audience.. you want to know more you chose to watch and learn more about the subject at hand and if you feel like it is helping you discover a new way to create the spaces in your home that fits your individual style that is enough of a reason in my humble opinion. So you don't need any other reason to be the target audience.
Arvin you are just so adorable I can’t fathom anyone even Miss Wootey Whoo saying anything negative to you. This Grandma enjoys your upbeat and fun personality. Thank you!!
scale can be hard even for someone with experience. i worked in furniture. in the beginning i bought my mom a gorgeous sectional, too bad it dwarfed everything else in the room. ha ha. lesson learned......a great thing to do is to buy some butcher paper and lay out the furniture size directly in your space. also remember to take height into consideration. a tall armoire will look overwhelming in a room with standard ceilings. the opposite is also true; if you have tall or beamed ceilings, too petite a piece will look like a toy.
I like places like IKEA and Target for specific items, but I’ve grown out of buying all of my household items from there. I love a good vintage Etsy or thrift store find
Ikea was the best place to buy some of the things we needed in our new home. However, mainly with pieces where function wad the most important: they look nice, but the personality of those rooms depends on other things.
RH, crate and barrel, Pottery barn sometimes made poorly and cheaply. I've had items get ruined or break down after spending thousands. Have had some ikea pieces wear extremely well and look untouched after 10 years. Go figure. I think mixing cheap, low, high and middle end probably most practical thing to do. Buy wisely!
Materials are what we need to learn about. For example West elm is not afraid to slap some veneer on something and charge 5 times what ikea does but it’s the same quality. Reading the descriptions and understanding the materials is where we can buy better. Also having items shipped to the store to see them in person. Then you can return if you see it’s cheaply made.
this is 100% true. I bought a "solid wood" bedframe at crate and barrel. very soon realized that it was false advertisement. it was still veneer over MDF and began squeaking after a few months. you're better off finding a refurbished wood store!
I think my pride and joy finding from marketplace was this dining set of a table and 4 chairs. I looked it up and the table alone retails for $1,420 and each chair for $399 - I got everything for $20 and I still can’t believe it! It’s in PERFECT condition!
YES! My boyfriend tried to talk me out of the Harmony couch I had to have, tried to point me towards cheaper options. There is too much waste as is, why not buy the couch I want for a few years, not a few months.
I’m so mad at myself that I let my husband talk me into a $250 couch during our last move a few months ago. It’s so uncomfortable and I feel like it’s gonna break any minute now. Now my plan is to let him take it to his shop, and get a “real” sofa
My husband tried to do the same. I ended up taking him to IKEA to have him sit on all the inexpensive couches, and then immediately after, we went to sit on the couch I wanted. There was no argument after that! The small, cheaper couches just aren’t nice to sit on unfortunately. I did enough of that in my early 20s!
My Craigslist find was a brand new pottery barn toscana 60” extending dining table. I saved 1k off sticker price! My husband and I rented a uhaul van and drove over an hour away to go pick that thing up! It was a 2020 miracle. I agree with everything you said, we made the same mistakes. We moved across the country and bought all ikea and then slowly got rid of it all. Over the 6 years we’ve had 3 couches, 3 media consoles and 3 dining tables. It seems like you’re saving money in the beginning and we were but in the big picture it’s such a waste. Granted we started in a super small space so those things wouldn’t work in our current larger house so sometimes it hard to plan.
@@jaeminie5994 lol what are you talking about? It's super organized. They have a rule book about how and where to display their products that's as thick as a carpet catalogue. And you can go to any IKEA on the planet looking for an item, you'll find it in the exact same logical location as in the other stores.
I like Ikea for small hardware and decorative pieces but not the furniture..it's so cheap! It no better quality than Wal-Mart or Target furniture but often costs more
No it's not just Arvin. There's so much unique furniture on offer on Facebook marketplace. Real hardwood furniture selling for the same prices as IKEA pieces. IKEA pieces don't last that long and are not really good quality.
Wow! The green of the vase and picture really brings out the beautiful mix of tones in your new side table. That burled wood piece was really a great buy. Great job!
I got SO much great stuff second hand! A leather-covered console table, TWO killer coffee tables, a vintage midcentury credenza.... omg craigslist is liiiiiiife lol
Ok, I'm gonna "out" myself I have same IKEA leather sofa in my living room for 15 years and it looks great but I hear you and agree the rest of my pieces are awesome and unique and you can definitely feel my style when you come into my home. Really love your style
I think the older sofa styles from IKEA look better than some of what they have now, and leather will last longer. It’s more their their weird square-ish fabric ones that aren’t so great.
Agreed, just moved into my first apartment and the sofa was something that I wasn’t willing to compromise on. Bought the perfect sofa at the pottery barn outlet for half off! No regrets
I found a "vintage" Pier 1 armoire from 2002 (I cringed at that too) on Facebook marketplace for $20. Spent some time making it over and it sparked a new furniture flipping business for me!
So sorry. It’s a difficult loss, not everyone understands. I adopted a 3 yr. old pup after my loss. Never thought I would. But helping her helped me. 💕💕
Down with a migraine when I saw ARVIN OLANO posted a new video! Definitely cannot get enough Arvin! More! more! more! Love your approach & personality!
My thought, if I’m gonna go cheap then I go REALLY cheap- I mean secondhand furniture from garage sales, thrift stores, trusted friends moving away, etc. I furnished my first apartment for almost free, it was definitely still very cute and functional, and the furniture even followed me to my second place! When I did upgrade some furniture at least I didn’t feel like 100s had gone to waste.
Yea I was gonna say, who is spending that much money when you can go to goodwill and thrift stores and garage sales? Ask a friend or family member if they have some pieces they don't want or can part with. Seems like a much better and cheaper option
@@stormwright8300 Yes! I can’t even afford low quality new furniture, I personally can’t wait couch-less until I can afford new high quality lol. But eventually replacing a gently used, free couch from a friend - no problem! Lots of times I’ve replaced items with something just as cheap but higher quality. Really incredible how many gently used, good quality, inexpensive pieces are out there (fancy antique stores get their products /somewhere/ to make a profit…)
Yeah, I can’t imagine buying a “cheap” couch that’s like cheap bc it’s low quality and still spending $600. If I knew it was going to last and I could style it to look nicer that’s one thing but if it’s not even comfy, that’s a huge waste.
I have found that in helping to furnish my grandkids’ college apartments, resale is the place to go! We have found both of them second hand sofas and chairs/loveseats that were beautiful and in perfect condition for such good prices.
@@CallHerChristian Resale just means pre-owned. Could be a place like Goodwill, or an online site where ppl are posting their previously owned items that they want to sale.
I've never had one single piece from Ikea, I always felt the material znd design too light to fit in a house in the country -- if I lived in an apartment in Town however,, yes, som IKEA pieces would definately fit
Favourite facebook marketplace find was a huge 15 yr old weeping fig tree for my loft. Something about an older "aged" plant is just more sculptural and aesthetic and you just can't get them at stores like that.
Hi Arvin. Loving the little dance you've been doing in the beginning of your videos, don't stop. You are so silly. And the vase in your office, yessss!!! it's beautiful
When I moved to Hawaii I searched for IKEA and couldn't find one. So, I called to request a catalog and I found out that IKEA won't ship to Hawaii. It is because pressed board won't hold up here, and most of their wood products aren't actually wood but pressed board. So I agree with you.
Omg! I never thought about that. I live in north Georgia where it’s very humid already (surely not as much?) but I hadn’t considered the climate affecting furniture that much.
The very first piece of furniture I ever purchased was this stunning chest of drawers from Ethan Allen! I could barely afford food but I had to have it. 25 years later it still looks amazing and can go in any room of my home! I do not regret that purchase!
Not FB market place, but I LOVE HAND-ME-DOWNS! I was a super broke student when I moved into my first apartment and got a lot of furniture and decor from friends that were moving, friends' parents etc. It ended up being very eclectic but I have a boho style so it worked really well! My favorite piece is a mirror with a birch wood border. I haven't seen anything like it in stores/instagram and I love it!
The first sofa I purchased in 1970 was a $$$ leather sofa…I baby sat for months to get enough money to buy it….it lasted 24 years of 2 boys and a couple of large dogs…Buy quality
Love you, Arvin 😍 whenever I mention your tips in conversation, my boyfriend always follows it up with “nobody asked!” Because he hears me playing your vids in the background all the time 😂 Regarding this video, I totally agree. We moved into a new apartment last year and decided we would get 0 IKEA furniture because it always looks cheap and unoriginal to me and haven’t at all! Lol we also didn’t get our couch until 8 months into the move lol 😅 but it’s totally worth decorating and curating your own space with patience 🤞🏻you don’t have to have it all together right away! We try to make sure that we’re absolutely in love with a piece before we invest.
Thank God!! That SOMEONE said something about IKEA! I loath that store! Great advice. I spent thousands on a leather sofa , chair and ottoman! 20 years later it’s still in use and looks fab!
I move a lot for work right now. It legitimately saves me a lot of money to buy a cheap sofa and sell it when I move. It's VERY expensive to move a couch halfway across the country. When I have a more stable living condition, I'll invest in large ticket items.
This is the video I needed to hear. I have lived in my apartment for 3 years and I hate our cheap couch. I have had the "this is temporary" mindset. Now I m going to splurge on a couch and revamp my space just a little because we are looking to stay her another year or two.
Hi Arvin! Thanks so sharing your personal take on decor. I'd say that my top best finds and buys on FB marketplace were my side lamps (vintage-like), two simple and cute night tables (for less than one hundred dollars) because the pieces were pre-used and I kind of changed the shade of the lamps and changed the stain on the tables. And at the thrift store, my top find was a vintage-like desk with a chair. Great quality and price. I got home and noticed that something was attached to one of the drawers, there was a medium-sized, gorgeous vanity mirror. And hiding in the side pocket was five magazines and a book. I brought those pieces to an appraiser, the items I found were worth at least more than what I paid for the furniture. I am never going to give it away. I love my finds and I know I will take care of them. Have a wonderful week Arvin.
This is so so so helpful! I am about to move into a new apartment and am finally at a place where I can upgrade my furniture. I loved loved loved the nesting tables and the end tables in the bed room in place of night stands. Thanks for coming through as always bb boiiii
God I wish I found this channel a month ago before I spent a stupid amount of money on temporary furniture that I hate. In any case Arvin you are an Icon and I could watch you talk about anything for days.
I learn so much from you, when you talked about placement of pillows on your couch, I was in bed and got up and said that’s it, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong and you fixed it for me. Thanks friend!
LOOK AND SHOP EVERYWHERE. I FOUND A CUTE " TOAST" CLOCK WHERE THE BREAD GOES UP/DOWN AT THE HARDWARE STORE. ALSO CHECK DESIGNING BOOKS/MAGAZINE AT THE LIBRADY. PLUS CHECK WITH OLDER RELATIVES/FAMILY FRIENDS WHO HAVE ITEMS FROM BACK IN THE DAY OF GOOD QUALITY.
This is so true! I used to have that "temporary" mentality but I was never happy with my place. I couldn't call it "Home" because it was not my style. I rushed to decorate. And you do end up spending more money! I got a new apartment and saved up for the big furniture and got stuff that I really wanted and love! I am so happy living here! Spend your money on your big furniture guys! It's worth it in the long run!
My fav FB market find is a 4 drawer waterfall dresser. The lady who owned it said it was her grandmother and that her mom had refinished it in the 60s. I cleaned it up and redid the finish. The drawers were mostly ruined from letting the drawer pulls spin and gouge the wood so I filled them and sanded smooth before covering the drawers in a lovely Art Deco paintable wallpaper. I painted it a light tan that goes with the stain perfectly. I had to replace 2 knobs as they were missing and I found some small ones with the same general shape as the center of the pulls. I then painted them to match the new ones. It looks so amazing!! I sort of hate it’s upstairs in my bedroom where unfortunately, no one sees it but me.
I totally agree mixing peaces of furniture from different stores and different prices to make it very authentic to your style..... We live in our homes not in showrooms!I always buy what I really like within my budget!!! I invest in large peaces especially the bed and sofa for comfort !!! I almost always able to tell whether I will continue liking certain items for a long period of time, and that's what I go for !! I am obsessed with your videos Arvin, thank you
Omg. I work at Ikea but you know... You should mix everything or it looks cheesy. Not ALL at one store. My style is vintage with IKEA sprinkled in. Girl. It doesn't all need to match!! Thank you!
Hello Arvin! I love your videos, but I also really love the inspirational images you use to explain your points. I was wondering if you could let us know where you get these images/inspirations? What magazines, designers you are using?
Arvin I have never bought anything from IKEA. I’m not even sure I have ever even been in there-so many of those places look just alike. But now I am going to have to go to see what you are talking about! I have shopped lots of used furniture stores, charity shops, worked in antique shop, and yes, we picked up stuff from the side of the road! Signed, “IAm So Ashamed!”
Oh my gosh, I went on Craigslist to buy a cheap ikea sofa and the seller gave me THE most incredible vintage mid-century conference table with original olive green velvet chairs. It. Is. STUNNING and they let me have it as a gift. Amazing find and generous of them
Who doesn’t love a dancing Queen?! 💃🏻👑 I’m soooo glad you mentioned Facebook market place! I’m constantly checking for stuff. Still have yet to find home pieces but I found great deals on items for my baby daughter through FB marketplace. Definitely great prices
I bought a MASSIVE TV table from marketplace for just 100 euros. it's 235 cm and made of hard wood, a beautiful raw wood look with a warm white trim. I'm so in love! And when I went to pick it up i found out it came with LED lights on the back, such a fun touch for parties or a relaxed date night 💖
Props to Andrew for finding all of the scary stock photos! As for Ikea, they do have the occasionally nice vase or live plant but I always look online before making the trip to the one near me. You're absolutely right about the furniture quality or lack there of.
I bought my eggplant colored sofa from a store in NYC named WORKBENCH and it was worth the $1000 that I spent. I got rid of it after 23 1/2 years. I always say you get what you pay for and I recently bought a chaise sectional for my new home and I am extremely happy with my purchase from Bassett, got it on sale. My style is transitional and I have a lot of old/antiques and some modern mixed in. I also love to shop in the antique and vintage stores. Arvin keep bringing these types of videos.
If you are really short on space in your bedroom and can’t fit in side tables, use floating shelves. Anchor them in really well, because people seem to want to grab them and pull them off the wall.
I find a bunch of my decorations from antique stores. Some old people mark up their stuff way too much but I’ve found so many nice things in antique stores including bookshelves, night stands, lamps, mirrors, clocks, and more:)
Just use a twin size mattress as a sofa. I made the cutest sofa out of a mattress. I surrounded it with pillows for the backing. They look like real cushions. I did it in cream. I put on a twin sheet and put some throw pillows on it and a throw blanket for a pop of color. It turned out so cute that I don't even know if I want a traditional couch now. It's also so comfortable.
Love love love your videos! I literally burst into smiling at the very beginning of it! You make my day and never fail to bring joy in my day) Add to this really useful content and...bless you, Arvin)
I completely agree with you when you said if you think it’s temporary you won’t take pride in it. Been there done that! And I regret it luckily the cheap sofa I bought broke within a few months and now I have invested in a nice one. Soooo worth it!
Love it! Ok spill the tea, noticing a beautiful ring on the "ring finger" did your beloved Andrew propose? If so, details please! We live for a great romance story!
My favorite marketplace finds was my La Difference office desk, originally $2,250 and nabbed it for $200 and a one of kind 350lb wooden coffee table for $70
You are on point! My favorite FBMP find was my dining room chandelier. I was holding on to crystal prisms for years until I found the right chandelier and bam- it appeared
Def loving your new intros and... AHHHH, we need more rug shows!! 🤣🤣🤣 As for IKEA, I have the Merete curtains YOU recommended, lmfao, a Besta as a tv console, and one pendant that is not the Sinnerlig. 😂 I don’t love everything there, but appreciate some good finds, lol. Fabulous as always!! ❤️😘😘😘 (And a black Billy we’ve had since 2013 😂)
Can’t agree with you more!! I’m moving into my first own empty apartment, and I decided to spend time and money to invest all furnitures I love. They might be a little bit pricey, but I know I’ll keep them for a long time. I will have good mood when I wake up every morning surrounded by those beautiful pieces! 💕
Didn't realize how much I missed the rug show! This was very great advice on each point. May I extend the advice to include don't buy everything from the same store, period? Do you want to live in a showroom? Just fabulous as always. 😘
Arvin, you are an angel! Right after I watched this video, I found a gorgeous crate and barrel dining table on Facebook marketplace! It’s five times cheaper than in the store! I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching your videos! I keep falling on the floor from laughing :) You should do stand up comedy on Netflix! :)
I agree that Facebook marketplace is a great place to find quality items. And if you are a bit handy, goodwill can even have items. I just bought two of the ugliest side tables and transformed them into beautiful nightstands! Love you so much, Arvin!
Never get in debt on furniture! Lots of cheaper furniture looks good and quality is okay. Especially, if u move alot as it gets scratched on every move! The so called SALE u mentioned is not a sale but a mark up then reduced to what it was in the first place!
Hi Arvin, great information. Which color or type of rug would you suggest if the floor has a light grey carpet and a dark blue couch in the living room? The theme of the living room is somehow industrial with different wood tones and dark wood color being dominant. TIA
I love these tips! Really makes a difference when u invest in your space, I definitely learned that this year! I just bought my first home in Brooklyn,NY and I started my RUclips channel to document my home decor journey🤗
Wheeewwww!!!! (In Arvin's voice)!!! Love the read and I agree 1000% of you said about these tips while apartment living!!! People questioned me and called me stupid for investing while in my apartment, but they're blind to the fact that when I move into a home I DON'T HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH!!!! I invest in versatile timeless pieces that I'll love for YEARS too come!!! That go cheap while in an apartment mind set is a setup for failure and waste of time and money!!! You tell em Arvin!!!
Fav FB marketplace find: $40 coffee table with plenty of storage. I removed the metal legs so it’s lower and added casters so I can easily push it around!
Btw I don’t know anyone who doesn’t fight with their spouse while putting together IKEA furniture! Avoid the fight, frustration & wanting to stab the “Alan wrench” or whatever it’s called into your loved one🤣
You are absolutly right with what you said about sofas! After finishing my studys I was still living without a sofa and just bought my first one after working for 2 years in my second job, but then I bought a designer sofa - it was really expencive - but worth every €. What should I say - it' perfect and I still love after 10 years!
Just moved into a new space in Toronto and made the absolute BEST scores on marketplace! First one was a midcentury danish teak dining table with 2 leaves and 6 ladder-back chairs for $900 (worth about $8000 all together), just needed a little restoration magic. Second was a vintage Italian travertine coffee table for $700 (worth about $3000). OBSESSED with both of them!
I've just found this video. Well said. Seems like we fear boredom so we buy these things. I live in a small apartment with mom and we used to do some of the things mentioned here - buy cheap and unnecessary, not only furniture but also electrical appliances. Now as I stay home much longer than before, I have more free time and turn it into remaking my place. Several pieces just have to be out and I try to save money for the pieces that are more suitable to this tight space. Need to work more before buying each piece but once I get it, it pays back more than I pay for it. There's no IKEA in my area though, but I get your point - not rely on brands. Good point. I'm brand immuned.
Since I’ve been fallowing Arvin I have changed my way of sourcing for things. My favorite find on Facebook marketplace is a vintage mirror from 1982 - and a steal for $25 and it’s huge. I also search on Etsy. And I found a vintage candelabra from Germany that’s on her way home. The curating process I’m loving thanks to Arvin.
We just bought a super small home and I have furnished our entire living room off of market place! I got the most adorable vintage couch for $400. I love it and will never get rid of it
Arvin, I just can't get enough of you! You just make my day, even though you say to "Stop" the subway tile backsplash! Lol... I just had white subway tile backsplash installed in my kitchen. I now want them gone! Lol... I Loveeeee you....I just told my sister about you. I'm sure that she is gonna loveeee you too!!! Thank you for being so honest, fun, bubbly and on point!!!
New sub! I am clearly not the target audience here... mil vet, mechanic, engineering student... but I wanted advice on decorating after my ex left and this channel has been amazing for that. I still have a long way to go and lots to learn, but your videos have already improved the feel of my entire home. Thanks so much Arvin!
Oh JR, i think you are exactly the target audience.. you want to know more you chose to watch and learn more about the subject at hand and if you feel like it is helping you discover a new way to create the spaces in your home that fits your individual style that is enough of a reason in my humble opinion. So you don't need any other reason to be the target audience.
Thank you for your service. My son is in boot camp rt now. ✌️🌞
Same situation for.me...had to learn how to decorate on my own
This comment made me give this channel a chance. Arvin gives great practical advise.
Arvin you are just so adorable I can’t fathom anyone even Miss Wootey Whoo saying anything negative to you. This Grandma enjoys your upbeat and fun personality. Thank you!!
He IS adorable! Lol
Can you teach us how to scale furniture according to the size of the room. I think this is where most people go wrong. Thanks.
Excellent idea!
Yes please
Yeeeeeessss!!
scale can be hard even for someone with experience. i worked in furniture. in the beginning i bought my mom a gorgeous sectional, too bad it dwarfed everything else in the room. ha ha. lesson learned......a great thing to do is to buy some butcher paper and lay out the furniture size directly in your space. also remember to take height into consideration. a tall armoire will look overwhelming in a room with standard ceilings. the opposite is also true; if you have tall or beamed ceilings, too petite a piece will look like a toy.
That's a fantastic idea I'm so in for it
I like places like IKEA and Target for specific items, but I’ve grown out of buying all of my household items from there. I love a good vintage Etsy or thrift store find
Agreed! Ikea furniture (especially nightstand) give me anxiety now bc ive had them for so long 😂
Ikea was the best place to buy some of the things we needed in our new home. However, mainly with pieces where function wad the most important: they look nice, but the personality of those rooms depends on other things.
I HATE building that crap from IKEA.
My fave vintage Etsy shop is adobe vintage! 🥰
Me too.
RH, crate and barrel, Pottery barn sometimes made poorly and cheaply. I've had items get ruined or break down after spending thousands. Have had some ikea pieces wear extremely well and look untouched after 10 years. Go figure. I think mixing cheap, low, high and middle end probably most practical thing to do. Buy wisely!
Materials are what we need to learn about. For example West elm is not afraid to slap some veneer on something and charge 5 times what ikea does but it’s the same quality. Reading the descriptions and understanding the materials is where we can buy better. Also having items shipped to the store to see them in person. Then you can return if you see it’s cheaply made.
this is 100% true. I bought a "solid wood" bedframe at crate and barrel. very soon realized that it was false advertisement. it was still veneer over MDF and began squeaking after a few months. you're better off finding a refurbished wood store!
I think my pride and joy finding from marketplace was this dining set of a table and 4 chairs. I looked it up and the table alone retails for $1,420 and each chair for $399 - I got everything for $20 and I still can’t believe it! It’s in PERFECT condition!
I would be interested in seeing you style a space outside of your own personal style
Yes forsure.
On his insta!
I agree! lemme see your spin on how to "correct" glam or farmhouse 😍😅😅
He did that in his last video, giving advice to viewers about their homes. It was very good!
Yesssss!! Like be an interior designer for someone's home fully .. I'd really love it
YES! My boyfriend tried to talk me out of the Harmony couch I had to have, tried to point me towards cheaper options. There is too much waste as is, why not buy the couch I want for a few years, not a few months.
Girl!! I literally tell my bf this all the time. He tried to convince me that a amazon couch would be nice for our living room 😑
I’m so mad at myself that I let my husband talk me into a $250 couch during our last move a few months ago. It’s so uncomfortable and I feel like it’s gonna break any minute now. Now my plan is to let him take it to his shop, and get a “real” sofa
My husband tried to do the same. I ended up taking him to IKEA to have him sit on all the inexpensive couches, and then immediately after, we went to sit on the couch I wanted. There was no argument after that! The small, cheaper couches just aren’t nice to sit on unfortunately. I did enough of that in my early 20s!
My Craigslist find was a brand new pottery barn toscana 60” extending dining table. I saved 1k off sticker price! My husband and I rented a uhaul van and drove over an hour away to go pick that thing up! It was a 2020 miracle.
I agree with everything you said, we made the same mistakes. We moved across the country and bought all ikea and then slowly got rid of it all. Over the 6 years we’ve had 3 couches, 3 media consoles and 3 dining tables. It seems like you’re saving money in the beginning and we were but in the big picture it’s such a waste. Granted we started in a super small space so those things wouldn’t work in our current larger house so sometimes it hard to plan.
Your laugh absolutely kills me 😂🤣The best!
It's the best
💕💕💕🌴😂😂
He has the most happy fun Laugh.. it’s hard not to laugh when you hear his😄😄
Absolutely agree just like the way he laughs 😂😂😂
Sometimes I rewind to hear the beginning and the laugh!
Arvin, it’s just you. IKEA is pretty well-organized. But your point is still VERY valid. We really shouldn’t design completely with ALL IKEA products.
I hate "trendy" bedrooms that are legit all ikea furniture. It's literally UGLYY
No ikea ain’t organized lol
@@jaeminie5994 lol what are you talking about? It's super organized. They have a rule book about how and where to display their products that's as thick as a carpet catalogue. And you can go to any IKEA on the planet looking for an item, you'll find it in the exact same logical location as in the other stores.
I like Ikea for small hardware and decorative pieces but not the furniture..it's so cheap! It no better quality than Wal-Mart or Target furniture but often costs more
No it's not just Arvin. There's so much unique furniture on offer on Facebook marketplace. Real hardwood furniture selling for the same prices as IKEA pieces. IKEA pieces don't last that long and are not really good quality.
Wow! The green of the vase and picture really brings out the beautiful mix of tones in your new side table. That burled wood piece was really a great buy. Great job!
Nobody asked but I just love you, you always know how to make people feel happy ,love watching your chanel dear ❤️❤️
The "earrings" on the green vase really grew on me during this video. It looks fabulous on the burl wood pedestal!
I got SO much great stuff second hand! A leather-covered console table, TWO killer coffee tables, a vintage midcentury credenza.... omg craigslist is liiiiiiife lol
Ok, I'm gonna "out" myself I have same IKEA leather sofa in my living room for 15 years and it looks great but I hear you and agree the rest of my pieces are awesome and unique and you can definitely feel my style when you come into my home. Really love your style
Yeah, so I bought a used leather sofa from IKEA years ago and I prefer it over my fancy five thousand dollar sofa.
I think the older sofa styles from IKEA look better than some of what they have now, and leather will last longer. It’s more their their weird square-ish fabric ones that aren’t so great.
"I bought a good product and it held up great" is something people would only feel embarrassed about in here.
@@verybarebones ha! So true well said!
Agreed, just moved into my first apartment and the sofa was something that I wasn’t willing to compromise on. Bought the perfect sofa at the pottery barn outlet for half off! No regrets
I found a "vintage" Pier 1 armoire from 2002 (I cringed at that too) on Facebook marketplace for $20. Spent some time making it over and it sparked a new furniture flipping business for me!
I have to thank you Arvin.. been in the dumps since my dog passed and watching your vids really cheer me up! Big hugs and keep up the great work!
Sorry to hear about ur dog! Hope you heal soon! Just know he’s in a better place and happy!
So sorry 😢
So sorry. It’s a difficult loss, not everyone understands. I adopted a 3 yr. old pup after my loss. Never thought I would. But helping her helped me. 💕💕
Down with a migraine when I saw ARVIN OLANO posted a new video! Definitely cannot get enough Arvin!
More! more! more! Love your approach & personality!
Best advice ever! Do it right the first time! I did that with my sofa and never regreded it..... still enjoying it 6 years later!
❤️ Karoline
Yes!! Sofa is one of the large centerpieces of any living room so it’s money well spent based on all the use it gets!
My thought, if I’m gonna go cheap then I go REALLY cheap- I mean secondhand furniture from garage sales, thrift stores, trusted friends moving away, etc. I furnished my first apartment for almost free, it was definitely still very cute and functional, and the furniture even followed me to my second place! When I did upgrade some furniture at least I didn’t feel like 100s had gone to waste.
Yea I was gonna say, who is spending that much money when you can go to goodwill and thrift stores and garage sales? Ask a friend or family member if they have some pieces they don't want or can part with. Seems like a much better and cheaper option
@@stormwright8300 Yes! I can’t even afford low quality new furniture, I personally can’t wait couch-less until I can afford new high quality lol. But eventually replacing a gently used, free couch from a friend - no problem! Lots of times I’ve replaced items with something just as cheap but higher quality. Really incredible how many gently used, good quality, inexpensive pieces are out there (fancy antique stores get their products /somewhere/ to make a profit…)
Yeah, I can’t imagine buying a “cheap” couch that’s like cheap bc it’s low quality and still spending $600. If I knew it was going to last and I could style it to look nicer that’s one thing but if it’s not even comfy, that’s a huge waste.
I have found that in helping to furnish my grandkids’ college apartments, resale is the place to go! We have found both of them second hand sofas and chairs/loveseats that were beautiful and in perfect condition for such good prices.
Resale is a store or site?
@@CallHerChristian Resale just means pre-owned. Could be a place like Goodwill, or an online site where ppl are posting their previously owned items that they want to sale.
@@tynee123 ohh yes ok :) ☺️ thank you
@@CallHerChristian You're welcome!
Your laughter Arvin…love your zest for decorating, and just life in general😘
Your comments on IKEA are EVERYTHING!! IKEA is the Dollar Tree of furniture, a straight indication of immature style.
I've never had one single piece from Ikea, I always felt the material znd design too light to fit in a house in the country -- if I lived in an apartment in Town however,, yes, som IKEA pieces would definately fit
Favourite facebook marketplace find was a huge 15 yr old weeping fig tree for my loft. Something about an older "aged" plant is just more sculptural and aesthetic and you just can't get them at stores like that.
I just bought a baby one, I hope it lasts 15 yrs!
Oh yes I love the aesthetic of mature plants.
Hi Arvin. Loving the little dance you've been doing in the beginning of your videos, don't stop. You are so silly. And the vase in your office, yessss!!! it's beautiful
I second this.
You guys are the best!!! Its definitely my NEW intro
@@ArvinOlano And sometimes maybe make it longer ❤️
I cannot help but laugh every time I see you do a dance, especially the random store dances lol
When I moved to Hawaii I searched for IKEA and couldn't find one. So, I called to request a catalog and I found out that IKEA won't ship to Hawaii. It is because pressed board won't hold up here, and most of their wood products aren't actually wood but pressed board.
So I agree with you.
Omg! I never thought about that. I live in north Georgia where it’s very humid already (surely not as much?) but I hadn’t considered the climate affecting furniture that much.
The very first piece of furniture I ever purchased was this stunning chest of drawers from Ethan Allen! I could barely afford food but I had to have it. 25 years later it still looks amazing and can go in any room of my home! I do not regret that purchase!
You are spot on here Arvin,it's mostly vintage for me, I like Granny furniture which is classic,,quality and often affordable. Thanks for sharing!!
Found a super comfy reclining wing back chair for my bedroom for free. It fits my traditional style and goes perfect in my space!
Not FB market place, but I LOVE HAND-ME-DOWNS! I was a super broke student when I moved into my first apartment and got a lot of furniture and decor from friends that were moving, friends' parents etc. It ended up being very eclectic but I have a boho style so it worked really well! My favorite piece is a mirror with a birch wood border. I haven't seen anything like it in stores/instagram and I love it!
The first sofa I purchased in 1970 was a $$$ leather sofa…I baby sat for months to get enough money to buy it….it lasted 24 years of 2 boys and a couple of large dogs…Buy quality
Wow! That's value for your $$$
Love you, Arvin 😍 whenever I mention your tips in conversation, my boyfriend always follows it up with “nobody asked!” Because he hears me playing your vids in the background all the time 😂
Regarding this video, I totally agree. We moved into a new apartment last year and decided we would get 0 IKEA furniture because it always looks cheap and unoriginal to me and haven’t at all! Lol we also didn’t get our couch until 8 months into the move lol 😅 but it’s totally worth decorating and curating your own space with patience 🤞🏻you don’t have to have it all together right away! We try to make sure that we’re absolutely in love with a piece before we invest.
Thank God!! That SOMEONE said something about IKEA! I loath that store! Great advice. I spent thousands on a leather sofa , chair and ottoman! 20 years later it’s still in use and looks fab!
I move a lot for work right now. It legitimately saves me a lot of money to buy a cheap sofa and sell it when I move. It's VERY expensive to move a couch halfway across the country. When I have a more stable living condition, I'll invest in large ticket items.
This is the video I needed to hear. I have lived in my apartment for 3 years and I hate our cheap couch. I have had the "this is temporary" mindset. Now I m going to splurge on a couch and revamp my space just a little because we are looking to stay her another year or two.
Hi Arvin! Thanks so sharing your personal take on decor. I'd say that my top best finds and buys on FB marketplace were my side lamps (vintage-like), two simple and cute night tables (for less than one hundred dollars) because the pieces were pre-used and I kind of changed the shade of the lamps and changed the stain on the tables. And at the thrift store, my top find was a vintage-like desk with a chair. Great quality and price. I got home and noticed that something was attached to one of the drawers, there was a medium-sized, gorgeous vanity mirror. And hiding in the side pocket was five magazines and a book. I brought those pieces to an appraiser, the items I found were worth at least more than what I paid for the furniture. I am never going to give it away. I love my finds and I know I will take care of them. Have a wonderful week Arvin.
This is so so so helpful! I am about to move into a new apartment and am finally at a place where I can upgrade my furniture. I loved loved loved the nesting tables and the end tables in the bed room in place of night stands. Thanks for coming through as always bb boiiii
God I wish I found this channel a month ago before I spent a stupid amount of money on temporary furniture that I hate. In any case Arvin you are an Icon and I could watch you talk about anything for days.
Yes to all!! Invest in some quality pieces, spend some money, cry once and that piece will stay with you for years❣️
I learn so much from you, when you talked about placement of pillows on your couch, I was in bed and got up and said that’s it, I couldn’t figure out what was wrong and you fixed it for me. Thanks friend!
LOOK AND SHOP EVERYWHERE. I FOUND A CUTE " TOAST" CLOCK WHERE THE BREAD GOES UP/DOWN AT THE HARDWARE STORE. ALSO CHECK DESIGNING BOOKS/MAGAZINE AT THE LIBRADY. PLUS CHECK WITH OLDER RELATIVES/FAMILY FRIENDS WHO HAVE ITEMS FROM BACK IN THE DAY OF GOOD QUALITY.
I admire your enthusiasm!
This is so true! I used to have that "temporary" mentality but I was never happy with my place. I couldn't call it "Home" because it was not my style. I rushed to decorate. And you do end up spending more money! I got a new apartment and saved up for the big furniture and got stuff that I really wanted and love! I am so happy living here! Spend your money on your big furniture guys! It's worth it in the long run!
I LOVE that you kept the earrings on that beautiful, green, vessel!!
My fav FB market find is a 4 drawer waterfall dresser. The lady who owned it said it was her grandmother and that her mom had refinished it in the 60s. I cleaned it up and redid the finish. The drawers were mostly ruined from letting the drawer pulls spin and gouge the wood so I filled them and sanded smooth before covering the drawers in a lovely Art Deco paintable wallpaper. I painted it a light tan that goes with the stain perfectly. I had to replace 2 knobs as they were missing and I found some small ones with the same general shape as the center of the pulls. I then painted them to match the new ones. It looks so amazing!! I sort of hate it’s upstairs in my bedroom where unfortunately, no one sees it but me.
when this hits on your lunch break 🎉🥳
Funny im on lunch break too😆
But what about it hits when I’m about to go to bed. Very late Arvin !
I’ll watch again tomorrow!
@@anyat686 LOL nothing like a rise and shine with Arvin 😉☕️
Hahah you guys are THE BEST. Enjoy your lunch
I totally agree mixing peaces of furniture from different stores and different prices to make it very authentic to your style..... We live in our homes not in showrooms!I always buy what I really like within my budget!!! I invest in large peaces especially the bed and sofa for comfort !!! I almost always able to tell whether I will continue liking certain items for a long period of time, and that's what I go for !! I am obsessed with your videos Arvin, thank you
Omg. I work at Ikea but you know... You should mix everything or it looks cheesy. Not ALL at one store. My style is vintage with IKEA sprinkled in. Girl. It doesn't all need to match!!
Thank you!
Hello Arvin! I love your videos, but I also really love the inspirational images you use to explain your points. I was wondering if you could let us know where you get these images/inspirations? What magazines, designers you are using?
An entire French provincial style bedroom set in impeccable condition. FOR $10! Split the set with my mother.
Arvin
I have never bought anything from IKEA. I’m not even sure I have ever even been in there-so many of those places look just alike. But now I am going to have to go to see what you are talking about! I have shopped lots of used furniture stores, charity shops, worked in antique shop, and yes, we picked up stuff from the side of the road!
Signed,
“IAm So Ashamed!”
Love love love , Arvin I really enjoy watching your overly expressive vlog , funny and entertaining 😁
Loved this. Tell it like it is! So true. Love your dancing hands and good advice told with your honest good eye.
Me: I just watch this channel to hear Arvin's laugh. lol
Everyone: decor tips.
Oh my gosh, I went on Craigslist to buy a cheap ikea sofa and the seller gave me THE most incredible vintage mid-century conference table with original olive green velvet chairs. It. Is. STUNNING and they let me have it as a gift. Amazing find and generous of them
Who doesn’t love a dancing Queen?! 💃🏻👑
I’m soooo glad you mentioned Facebook market place! I’m constantly checking for stuff. Still have yet to find home pieces but I found great deals on items for my baby daughter through FB marketplace. Definitely great prices
I really love your style and humor i think you are going to be a huge star. Thank you for brightening our days.
Love the idea of using nesting tables in a small living room! I’ve been looking for alternatives to traditional coffee tables.
Yes
Yes yô
Yes
I bought a MASSIVE TV table from marketplace for just 100 euros. it's 235 cm and made of hard wood, a beautiful raw wood look with a warm white trim. I'm so in love! And when I went to pick it up i found out it came with LED lights on the back, such a fun touch for parties or a relaxed date night 💖
Props to Andrew for finding all of the scary stock photos! As for Ikea, they do have the occasionally nice vase or live plant but I always look online before making the trip to the one near me. You're absolutely right about the furniture quality or lack there of.
I bought my eggplant colored sofa from a store in NYC named WORKBENCH and it was worth the $1000 that I spent. I got rid of it after 23 1/2 years. I always say you get what you pay for and I recently bought a chaise sectional for my new home and I am extremely happy with my purchase from Bassett, got it on sale. My style is transitional and I have a lot of old/antiques and some modern mixed in. I also love to shop in the antique and vintage stores. Arvin keep bringing these types of videos.
It’s the screaming girl sound effect for me every time. I looooove him !!
If you are really short on space in your bedroom and can’t fit in side tables, use floating shelves. Anchor them in really well, because people seem to want to grab them and pull them off the wall.
"No body asked but" Arvin needs his own live comedy sitcom 🤣 you're too funny. 🤗
I never get tired of “nobody asked”. Always cracks me up.
I find a bunch of my decorations from antique stores. Some old people mark up their stuff way too much but I’ve found so many nice things in antique stores including bookshelves, night stands, lamps, mirrors, clocks, and more:)
The hardest thing to find in IKEA is the freaking exit. What a maze!
No lies were told
I love your sporadic office background refreshes! It's fun seeing what vignettes you come up with.
Just use a twin size mattress as a sofa. I made the cutest sofa out of a mattress. I surrounded it with pillows for the backing. They look like real cushions. I did it in cream. I put on a twin sheet and put some throw pillows on it and a throw blanket for a pop of color. It turned out so cute that I don't even know if I want a traditional couch now. It's also so comfortable.
My favorite Facebook Marketplace find is my real wicker settee for my back deck. It's lovely.
Love love love your videos! I literally burst into smiling at the very beginning of it! You make my day and never fail to bring joy in my day) Add to this really useful content and...bless you, Arvin)
I completely agree with you when you said if you think it’s temporary you won’t take pride in it. Been there done that! And I regret it luckily the cheap sofa I bought broke within a few months and now I have invested in a nice one. Soooo worth it!
Love it! Ok spill the tea, noticing a beautiful ring on the "ring finger" did your beloved Andrew propose? If so, details please! We live for a great romance story!
I noticed that, too. Did Andrew offer a ring RING, hmmmmm? Say it is:)
@@virginieholmes813 me too
My favorite marketplace finds was my La Difference office desk, originally $2,250 and nabbed it for $200 and a one of kind 350lb wooden coffee table for $70
Arvin, today you're color coordinated with the vase and artwork. Love the dance moves.
Thank you so much 😀
I absolutely agree with this speech you gave in the beginning about buying the best quality you can afford that you take pride in.
10 years later my house is still empty because I don't LOVE anything
I love like he shares and links exactly what he buys and likes, absolutely love his taste
Love your whole vibe 😆you are awesome 👏🏼 love watching your videos
You are on point! My favorite FBMP find was my dining room chandelier. I was holding on to crystal prisms for years until I found the right chandelier and bam- it appeared
Def loving your new intros and... AHHHH, we need more rug shows!! 🤣🤣🤣
As for IKEA, I have the Merete curtains YOU recommended, lmfao, a Besta as a tv console, and one pendant that is not the Sinnerlig. 😂 I don’t love everything there, but appreciate some good finds, lol. Fabulous as always!! ❤️😘😘😘
(And a black Billy we’ve had since 2013 😂)
Love you Arvin, enjoy your advice and ideas ❤️
Please make longer videos💐
Ok heheheh
Can’t agree with you more!! I’m moving into my first own empty apartment, and I decided to spend time and money to invest all furnitures I love. They might be a little bit pricey, but I know I’ll keep them for a long time. I will have good mood when I wake up every morning surrounded by those beautiful pieces! 💕
Didn't realize how much I missed the rug show! This was very great advice on each point. May I extend the advice to include don't buy everything from the same store, period? Do you want to live in a showroom? Just fabulous as always. 😘
Great tip! You know I always say you should MIX. And wowww I know my last HG video everybody was begging for the rug show. I'll do more i promise
@@ArvinOlano Thank you. I started watching you shop at Home Goods early last year. You are a treasure.
Every time I see there's a new video from you I have a smile on my face. You go girl!!!
Arvin, you are an angel! Right after I watched this video, I found a gorgeous crate and barrel dining table on Facebook marketplace! It’s five times cheaper than in the store!
I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching your videos! I keep falling on the floor from laughing :)
You should do stand up comedy on Netflix! :)
I agree that Facebook marketplace is a great place to find quality items. And if you are a bit handy, goodwill can even have items. I just bought two of the ugliest side tables and transformed them into beautiful nightstands! Love you so much, Arvin!
Never get in debt on furniture! Lots of cheaper furniture looks good and quality is okay. Especially, if u move alot as it gets scratched on every move!
The so called SALE u mentioned is not a sale but a mark up then reduced to what it was in the first place!
Hi Arvin, great information. Which color or type of rug would you suggest if the floor has a light grey carpet and a dark blue couch in the living room? The theme of the living room is somehow industrial with different wood tones and dark wood color being dominant. TIA
I love these tips! Really makes a difference when u invest in your space, I definitely learned that this year! I just bought my first home in Brooklyn,NY and I started my RUclips channel to document my home decor journey🤗
It really does!!!!
Congrats on purchasing your first home!! 🥳🍾🔑 🏠!!
Congratulations! I’m also in Brooklyn. I will subscribe to your channel and follow your journey!
Wheeewwww!!!! (In Arvin's voice)!!! Love the read and I agree 1000% of you said about these tips while apartment living!!! People questioned me and called me stupid for investing while in my apartment, but they're blind to the fact that when I move into a home I DON'T HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH!!!! I invest in versatile timeless pieces that I'll love for YEARS too come!!! That go cheap while in an apartment mind set is a setup for failure and waste of time and money!!! You tell em Arvin!!!
Fav FB marketplace find: $40 coffee table with plenty of storage. I removed the metal legs so it’s lower and added casters so I can easily push it around!
Btw I don’t know anyone who doesn’t fight with their spouse while putting together IKEA furniture! Avoid the fight, frustration & wanting to stab the “Alan wrench” or whatever it’s called into your loved one🤣
I hate that damn Alan wrench. 😂😂
You are absolutly right with what you said about sofas! After finishing my studys I was still living without a sofa and just bought my first one after working for 2 years in my second job, but then I bought a designer sofa - it was really expencive - but worth every €. What should I say - it' perfect and I still love after 10 years!
Just moved into a new space in Toronto and made the absolute BEST scores on marketplace! First one was a midcentury danish teak dining table with 2 leaves and 6 ladder-back chairs for $900 (worth about $8000 all together), just needed a little restoration magic. Second was a vintage Italian travertine coffee table for $700 (worth about $3000). OBSESSED with both of them!
I've just found this video. Well said. Seems like we fear boredom so we buy these things. I live in a small apartment with mom and we used to do some of the things mentioned here - buy cheap and unnecessary, not only furniture but also electrical appliances. Now as I stay home much longer than before, I have more free time and turn it into remaking my place. Several pieces just have to be out and I try to save money for the pieces that are more suitable to this tight space. Need to work more before buying each piece but once I get it, it pays back more than I pay for it. There's no IKEA in my area though, but I get your point - not rely on brands. Good point. I'm brand immuned.
I always say: porn movie sets are totally made of Ikea furniture, so you’d better spare yourself from pretending you’re a porn actor 🤪
Love you ❤️
THAT IS HILARIOUS!!!
😂
Since I’ve been fallowing Arvin I have changed my way of sourcing for things. My favorite find on Facebook marketplace is a vintage mirror from 1982 - and a steal for $25 and it’s huge. I also search on Etsy. And I found a vintage candelabra from Germany that’s on her way home. The curating process I’m loving thanks to Arvin.
Vintage mirror from 1982 ... you make me feel so old... 😆
@@nitamccall9289 🤣 yeah me too...
@@paulineacosta8409 and me!!! 😳🙈
We just bought a super small home and I have furnished our entire living room off of market place! I got the most adorable vintage couch for $400. I love it and will never get rid of it
Arvin, I just can't get enough of you! You just make my day, even though you say to "Stop" the subway tile backsplash! Lol... I just had white subway tile backsplash installed in my kitchen. I now want them gone! Lol... I Loveeeee you....I just told my sister about you. I'm sure that she is gonna loveeee you too!!! Thank you for being so honest, fun, bubbly and on point!!!