7 Days to Furnish Apartment - Final Result - Secondhand Only (Part Two Reveal)

If you missed part 1 here is the link: • 7 Days to Furnish Apar...
I'm so excited for you to see the final room reveal and cost, along with the last items I found on day seven. Come along for the ride to try to find the remaining items on our checklist by thrifting local thrift shops and online market places like Craigslist, Nextdoor, and Facebook Marketplace.
This video is part 2 of 2 where I only had seven days to furnish an empty apartment living room and dining room, and to fill a kitchen with everyday essentials - with only second hand items. I also didn’t get to see what the apartment looked like until day seven, the last day!
I hope this video provides some inspiration around what’s possible to find second hand, along with some tips and tricks around how to approach buying furniture and other items second hand.
Buying second hand items is filled with ups and downs as the thrill of the hunt brings many rewards, and defeats, as you can’t win them all. I scored many quality pieces (and also missed out on others) from brands like Restoration Hardware, West Elm, Crate and Barrel and more!
About Melba Makes
This channel focuses on a buy “used” first approach to all things that go into making a home. Buying used as a lifestyle has allowed me to get a better value, save, and reduce waste. I create a variety of videos from interior design to following our home renovation journey. Come along for some fun thrifting for treasures, restoring pieces, decorating, and room makeovers. Also join us as we renovate our mid century California ranch house.
Thank you for watching! Your comments with anything I can touch on in future videos are really appreciated!

[@MelbaMakes]

Would you like to see more videos like this? Let me know in the comments below! Thank you for watching 🙏🏽❤️

[@annascavezze616]

Yes! love this video!

[@snezhanaanechkin9373]

Yes!!! This is amazing

[@ricrussell4413]

Yessss

[@paulalovett2715]

Yes 🎉👍🏽🙏🏽‼️

[@denisesevera9490]

A definite yes !

[@agl5132]

I've been shopping like this my whole life (64yrs young) and the quality of furniture from estate sales is so worth it. I am currently living abroad and the low prices are amazing. I love seeing others take an interest in the value and thrill in the hunt of thrifting.

[@sharonh2991]

I’ve been doing it my whole life too (I’m your age). When I was in college in the early 80s I would pore over the fashion magazines but the stuff they were wearing just wasn’t available where I was. At that time the “look” was retro to early 60s so I would get the look by going to the thrift stores and making slight modifications to what I was finding. (At that time thrift stores were mostly considered charity shops). People used to literally stop me on the street to ask where I got my outfits. Same thing now except that people tell me that they love my style and comment on how put together I am. Of course I thrift for everything else too. I never buy anything until I’ve exhausted my search at thrift stores.

[@FourJaysFour]

Under $1,000?? Mind blown! 🤯 Your thoughtfulness to include expanded dinnerware, small appliances, leaf for table expansion. This went WAY beyond the basics. These folks are so lucky to have you! I appreciate you sharing the journey! New subscriber.

[@MelbaMakes]

❤️🙏🏽thank you and thank you for coming along with Suki and I! 😊

[@tinaforeman4678]

My whole house and 95% of my clothes are thrifted. I wouldn't live any other way. Such a great job you did.

[@gigi61619]

I like the way you include spreadsheets in your videos & compare retail vs. resale costs. You can sense the passion you have for creating beautiful spaces. The 7-day challenge highlighted how hard you worked and how possible it can be to furnish curated pieces & design on a budget.

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you for the specific feedback on what you liked, it’s helpful for me to know! Thanks for watching and the kind words too! ❤️😊

[@cerwelt]

I remarried after losing my husband of 34 years. My new husband (that sounds weird) asked me while we were dating if I had to have new furniture every five years. I said, “my furniture is from 1954, I’m good”. You can find amazing things second hand, plus the wood is generally solid! You are a sweetheart to do this for friends or family. You did a lovely job. Loved these videos.

[@MelbaMakes]

❤️❤️❤️

[@lisab9541]

Your new husband must have had a high maintenance ex. Lol

[@brianwant5758]

So many design videos feel out of reach to regular people with ordinary budgets, but this was a great example of how you can create an inviting, functional space for someone starting out. There are pieces they can build on while still enjoying something that feels like a cozy home from day one. Plus a well-stocked kitchen. Nice work.

[@beverleylocke4207]

I think the important thing when thrifting for furniture is that it doesn’t look like old mismatched stuff. Thank you for the tips that apply equally in other countries.

[@nangel270]

You’ve done great and you should be proud. A pair of panels on the outside of the white sheers will polish the room even more.

[@MelbaMakes]

Oh yes, some panels will add some more lovely layers!

[@rld1278]

Would have been great to see their reaction to the new furnished apartment!

[@beegirlluna850]

These are my favorite kind of videos . Seeing how you can bring to life gently used items. ❤

[@MelbaMakes]

I’m glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching and sharing the kind words ❤️🙏🏽

[@nicoladurrant8163]

Wow! What you did was to work magic, it's clear that you love this. You are definitely gifted. I also like the way that you tell the story and take us along with you. I would like to see some of the behind the scene thinking you mentioned in this video. I see that this is a new channel, so wanted to comment to encourage you to keep going. This is valid and helpful content and I wish you so much success as you grow your audience and spread your magic. ❤

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you Nicola for sharing these encouraging words - they have made my day ♥🙏 I also appreciate you sharing what you would like to see - this is super helpful to know and keep in mind for future videos! Thank you for watching and I appreciate you taking the time to share this comment! Hope to hear from you again and happy thrifting 😊

[@nicoladurrant8163]

I have subscribed, so you definitely have a new fan. I'm so excited to come along with you on this journey and to learn and be inspired 🙏✨

[@MelbaMakes]

❤️🙏🏽

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you Nicola 🥹🙏🏽 I’m so excited too!

[@suzannevenkataraman2045]

Wow! The place looks great. The family moving in is lucky to have you! Just about all my furniture in our home is second hand. We have been married for 33 years and raised 3 children. I love to change up our decor now and then and it does not cost a lot to do so.

[@MelbaMakes]

Amazing 👏🏽❤️

[@jemreandeau3583]

The apartment turned out lovely. I can see how hard you worked to source everything, you did an awesome job. ❤

[@MelbaMakes]

I appreciate the kind words, thank you 💕🙏🏽 🙏🏽

[@Karen1234-]

This was so fun to watch! Reminded me of when I first moved out on my own, I had a lot of second hand furniture from my parents and the rest I thrifted. My apartment definitely did not look cohesive at all 😂 but it worked and over time I slowly learned my personal style. I slowly realized the items and now I love my space!

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you! We also did not have a cohesive space for a very long time (if you’re curious to see what that looked like I share in my first video). Glad you’re enjoying a space that reflects your personal style and thanks for sharing that you experienced a similar journey!

[@star.drawntreader.1967]

I found your channel accidently in between the first and third episode of a forty episode Chinese drama with one of my favorite Chinese stars. YET, your passion (along with the concerned look on your pup's face) stopped me in my TV tracks near the beginning of this video. I had zero ideas on why you only had a week to furnish two and a half rooms in a house or an apartment. I initially thought I was watching a mystery that was taking place after a robbery or a fire and you were moving to a new apartment. I thought you must be staying with relatives in the meantime. It's amusing how our brains will fill in details we don't have to make sense of what is missing. While I still don't know who you were furnishing half a house or apartment for, your program was totally fascinating. I have moved (approx?) 33 times in my life, with the last time being to this home on June 1, 1974 = 49 yrs ago on June 1st this year. Before this, the longest I ever lived anywhere was in TX. It was San Antonio for a total of five years & two months over three visits, during a twelve-year period of time: 2nd grade through 1st semester of college. I've checked Google Earth over the past several years to watch for any changes in one home we owned in San Antonio, and the many schools and colleges that I attended so briefly. I loved most of the people I met there, that South Texas city, the authentic Mexican food, and the many things of an international city in an American state!! So much charm, beauty, and the wonderful, gracious people and their ancient heritage. We were military, but the wrong service for San Antonio since it was impossible for huge, gray, flat topped ships to dock there. Plus, the river was NEITHER deep or wide enough for an average Air Craft Carrier to navigate! 😮😂😅❤🎉 Anyway, I think that your video is amazing! I'm so very glad to have accidentally visited. The way that you sourced all the house and living wares you needed was brilliant!! In our situation, I learned some of the similar lessons growing up, so I had two decades of watching my Mom sourcing occasional necessities prior to my marriage! Thanks again for a fascinating refresher. It is most enjoyable. 😊❤ Best Wishes!! Sherrill Smith Saturday, August 12, 2023: Updated to correct errors and to clarify a few meanings.

[@MelbaMakes]

@@star.drawntreader.1967thank you for sharing your own story with us! I also enjoyed reading how you came to this video, thank you for coming along and watching! ❤

[@onespaceatatime7771]

This was EVERYTHING!!! I would love to try this. The suspense was like a horror movie. The spaces turned out beautifully. I would love to see more content like this.

[@MelbaMakes]

I’m sorry it was like a horror movie! 🫣 thank you for these kind words 😊🙏🏽

[@beverlyherring6595]

It looks lovely and you did very well on your budget. May I make one suggestion? Never allow your furniture or furnishings to touch the wall (except a picture frame which is leaning). Hold your fist as if you had a lamp cord that you were about the plug in and put that fist between the back of the sofa and the wall (or the back of a chair or the back of a table) Not only will you save marks on the wall and marks on the backs of your furniture but you will always have room to insert your fist if you need to plug or unplug a cord. Just sayin'

[@saishsankhe]

Just amazing! 👌🏽😍 The apartment looks so well furnished and cohesive. 👌🏽 Definitely getting some ideas from here. Loved this 7 day challenge, hoping for more such challenges 🎉

[@MelbaMakes]

Thanks Saish! I’m glad you enjoyed this challenge series and I appreciate the feedback! I hope you find some awesome pieces out there! 😊

[@jenniereinhardt4900]

Great job! Before you do another room, please get some furniture sliders--save your back!

[@user-ww9so8pe6n]

This was awesome!! More please !!

[@MelbaMakes]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for the feedback and this energy!

[@craftynita6633]

i love this and hope it will be a series! thanks for taking us through the process

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you for joining me and coming along! ❤️

[@cltinturkey]

Wow! You did a great job sourcing and coordinating all these items, especially without knowing the room's measurements. The new resident(s) of the apartment are incredibly lucky to have you as their agent and magician!

[@KateWilliam75]

This space looks like a high end apartment in a big city!! You did an amazing job and whoever moves in should be delighted with it. I love thrifting and am enjoying your content!!

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you Kate, I’m glad you are enjoying the videos! Happy thrifting! 😊🛒

[@terri-annecaisley717]

Please more videos like this. I love thrifted or handmade furniture. Thoroughly enjoyed this video ❤

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this series and that you’d like to see more videos like this Terri! Happy thrifting! 😊

[@JennRugg]

This is apartment came out so nice!! My only suggestion would be to do more with the curtains. The apartment looks so high end up until you get to that window then you get granny dorm room vibes. This was a very fun video to watch! you got some great finds and put everything together seamlessly!

[@MelbaMakes]

Thanks Jenn! The curtains as with the shelves came with the apartment and now they can take their time to style it up! So many more things they can have fun with - different drapes will definitely make a big impact on the space! Thank you for coming along 🤗

[@lynnstaton5732]

I am a 3rd generation thrifter. love it so much. I think you did a wonderful job with the pieces that you found.

[@MelbaMakes]

Wow! 3rd generation thrifter, amazing! Thank you Lynn, I’m glad you liked it and thanks for watching! Excited for more thrifting adventures ahead 😊

[@sherrycohen1824]

New subscriber here. I love that green wall! I never used to like green much, but now I like it a lot, especially in a small space or as an accent wall. You did an amazing job.

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you Sherry! 💚🙏🏽

[@reneefooks9206]

The apartment is beautifully done!! You do have a great eye for good quality pieces. The place has a casual but elegant vibe. Just goes to show that a good designer can make a place look great without spending a fortune!

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you Renee! 😊💕

[@cltinturkey]

That's a good point. Most people starting out do so with very basic pieces or hand me downs. The new resident(s) here will walk into an elegant space it would take most of us years to pull together!

[@briannab5296]

This is so much fun to watch. That pretty lamp, when turned on, is the star of the show giving off the bright homey light, bringing out the life of the other items, like it's the heart of the home.

[@leemai4047]

I love these videos !! Pls do more ! It’s oddly so satisfying

[@lindap9079]

I am truly amazed that you found all you needed in such a short time period. I have been looking for chairs for my living room for years and you furnished a whole apartment in just a few days.

[@elvatanguerre1998]

I like the round coffee table and the golden coffee table. I think about getting one for my living room - it would look more airy. I also believe that getting an art piece for the green wall would have added more punch but I get you were on a budget. I also think that the gold and dark accents were very nice - cushions and furniture. The ikea kitchen was a good choice over the dark chairs. Thanks for sharing your thought process, I am fairly new at thrifting and it is very useful. You are good at it and very passionate.

[@amandachilds5290]

Good advice! I concur

[@susannsurber-sexualtherapie]

Thank you for this great challenge! I found your channel today and I'm so happy to find like-minded youtubers that furnish their home with used items. I've been on this journey for a while now and I love it! Unfortunately, we don't have that many great thrift stores here in Germany in our smallish town, but I'm making the best out of what we have. Thank you so much. I'll start binge watching your other videos over the weekend and I'm looking forward to your upcoming videos! And take good care of yourself - pouring out your creativity into new rooms and videos all the time can soon be exhausting. Wishing you all the best on your journey!

[@MelbaMakes]

I'm so happy you are enjoying the videos and that you also share a similar “used” lifestyle Susann! Thank you for the thoughtful and caring words, it means a lot. I wish you many great finds ahead in Germany (please do share any special finds with us!) 🙏🏽❤️

[@lindascianna120]

U would put the square black table back on the other side of sofa.

[@creativekimberly110]

You are so inspiring!! How motivating to see how you furnish a whole space in only 7 days!! Hope to see more videos like this in the future ❤ Also LOLd when you said this wasn't supposed to be a styling video but here we are ahaha

[@MelbaMakes]

I'm so happy you enjoyed the series and I couldn't help myself with throwing in a few styling pieces lol I went back to the thrift store the next day to pick up a couple of pieces for myself that I liked and were luckily still there! (a bigger size of the leopard print votive and the rounded vase for flowers that I thought was so nice!)

[@patternharlot]

Just lovely! You could probably cover the visible tv cords with fabric to match the carpet and tack it down (with Command cable ties) for safety and reduced visibility. Odd place for a cable connection.

[@NoYesJess]

Wow, you truly outdid yourself!! The whole vibe of the place transformed, feeling much more uplifting and inviting. The living room feels cozy and airy at the same time. Awesome job!!

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you! And thank you for joining Suki and I!

[@letitrejo9332]

Really Great Finds. You worked so hard and did a Fantastic Job! 👏👏

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you Leti ❤️🥹 I’m glad you liked how it all turned out!

[@GradKat]

I love it! The room looks so cosy and stylish. Amazing you were able to get so many attractive items second hand. The only thing I would add is an area rug under the coffee table (even though the floor is carpeted). It’s easy to clean a rug or replace it, but once an area of carpet has got discoloured or worn (as they tend to do anywhere you sit regularly) then you’re stuck with it. But the overall result is beautiful and I congratulate you!

[@bonitahobbs2374]

A good idea is to put resale pillows linens, couch covers, etc. in the dryer in case of bugs! Looks really' good n good prices!!! Fun, LOVE' THE COFFEE ' TABLE: N MORE

[@bluejae4850]

Loved this! Would love to see more like it!

[@crystalfrye8554]

You did an amazing job!

[@cynthiamuffoletto7480]

Amazing!!

[@murielbaith5445]

What a lovely result!

[@janicegardner5027]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@carmenrivera8688]

Beautiful ❤️ I loved everything.

[@susiewitt1016]

Amazing!!!

[@denisesevera9490]

I love stuff like this ! I had a great time watching this come together!

[@yellowrockflower7777]

That was amazing!

[@kathyroman1539]

Yes I love that idea also love the table everything looks amazing

[@noeliakline]

Yes I'd love to see more videos like this!! You did such a great job, everything looks amazing!!

[@miamiflorida6965]

Beautiful!

[@judyelkins2424]

Really enjoyed this!!!

[@legrandeileen4863]

Yes would love to see more. 😊

[@nenettep5796]

Amazing job!

[@arlenepoff1014]

Looks great! Awesome job!

[@juliej5917]

Great job!🎉

[@lisapieper3598]

Outstanding job!

[@tallblonde1976]

Its beautiful-clean, classic lines and neutral colors. You did great!

[@hsmd4533]

Super fun video!

[@ireneromero5326]

It's looking great!

[@patvance6205]

This turned out so good! Would love to see others like this❤

[@dianeroberts3161]

This was so cool to watch!

[@carolprosper1800]

Beautiful job. So great to watch.

[@lelanoel3499]

Loved this! And would love more videos like it.

[@ItsMyLifeDaralynn]

You did great !

[@claudiagutierrez7218]

Nice!

[@DaisyAnnabelle65]

Very Beautiful!

[@jkbjkbvjbbjk]

I love this so much! So well done!! ❤

[@ShawnieS-so5mb]

Wow! This is so impressive!

[@rebeccavinyard2899]

Such a fun and interesting video. I think you chose some great pieces and space looks so well styled. ❤

[@kimhutson4837]

Amazing work

[@patriciawilliamsn9605]

You did a great job! It is beautiful and I love that it was almost all second hand.

[@bethdixon501]

Perfection ❤️❤️❤️

[@cindypope4952]

I enjoyed your videos-well done.

[@Nes_T]

More please! Loved this challenge

[@lillianbarker4292]

I would love to see more like this!

[@terrypierce1661]

Very nice.

[@ToddBrockman-wr2ds]

Absolutely, would love to see continued videos.

[@noregrets7469]

It looks great..good job👌

[@shirleymurphy1958]

Fabulous job !I would love it hope they do!

[@jeanchisnall442]

Beautiful

[@lynnriniker]

Love this type of video!! More would be great.

[@lillianbarker4292]

I’m a new fan! I love your work.

[@patriciaowens3479]

Beautiful 😊🎉

[@bettydeines8783]

More like this please! Love your process.

[@Luckykat218]

Beautifully done 🤩🥂

[@dhonlutje]

Yes please, make more of these videos 😊

[@carriebelcher8644]

Love it!

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you! 😊🙏🏽

[@laurahobbs1936]

New subscriber. Love the look and appreciate all the work you did.

[@patriciawilson6524]

Great deals...well done .

[@bettyogarro3494]

Lovely

[@nancychestnut8928]

I am totally impressed by your resourcefulness! Great job! More please.

[@sserton2839]

Hey Melba - discovered your channel a few hours ago - watched your Part 1 plus this Part 2 video. Excellent job - Consider me a new subbie! Smiles from Canada. Phenomenal job btw!

[@marymorrison2484]

You did an amazing job! It looks great and is so welcoming.

[@pammeinzer6757]

You've done a great job. 👍

[@ruthgard8390]

Very impressive! Looking forward to more of your inspirational videos!

[@user-vq1qx1vk3k]

What a beautiful thing you did. Heartwarming. Love your channel!

[@maehancock2492]

Absolutely amazing. I love thrifting. I believe in reusing quality pieces. Thanks for sharing.

[@anndodds4993]

Very interesting