Buying furniture can get very expensive very quickly. One minute, you need a new dresser with glides that don't get stuck. The next thing you know, you're the proud owner of a dresser, an armoire, two nightstands, and an étagère. You're not even sure you know what an étagère is (it's a storage space for the bathroom). But don't fear going into debt over a little home decorating-here are some new bedroom furniture solutions that won't create credit problems.

Materials like solid hardwoods are the best in quality, but they also come with a price. Engineered woods, on the other hand, are a great way to find a dresser or desk cheaper than their hardwood counterparts. Particle board, hardboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) is just as strong as hardwood and are great if you plan on using it everyday, like you would with home office furniture. Ready-to-assemble furniture is another cost-effective and convenient way to update your furniture, and is usually made with some kind of engineered wood. Unfortunately, RTA furniture isn't the longest lasting, so if you know that you will be moving a lot in the future, it's might not hold up as long.

Veneered wood is another material that people opt out of in favor of solid hardwood furniture. This kind of wood makes a brilliant substitute for costlier solid wood, since it possesses the same look and feel of solid wood. Veneers are a thin layer of solid wood over engineered wood like MDF, so they hold up to the same standards yet with the beauty of a solid wood furniture piece.

Don't forget that if you really want to make a change in your bedroom without going overboard, invest in a contemporary platform bed. Their sleek, geometric lines and modern look make them a perfect update to your bedroom furniture. Low-profile and unadorned, platforms beds feature an Asian or European aesthetic that blends into your surroundings while making a statement. Furthermore, platform beds don't require a box spring for your mattress, since wooden slats support them. This in turn gives your pocketbook a sigh of relief. So keep in mind that when you start replacing your home office furniture, bedroom furniture, or even living room furniture, turn to engineered wood, veneered wood and platform beds as a cheap and chic way to liven up your home.