Splurge or Save? How to Prioritize Your Decorating Budget
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been in our new home for six months and I’m still making decisions about furniture. Where can I save money and where do I need to invest to get the look I want. Decorating a home is a big commitment, both financially and emotionally. Where do you begin? How do you make it work within your budget? I’m a big believer in mixing high and low in every room and today I’m sharing how I do that in the rooms I design for clients.
I recommend putting more of your budget towards the items you use every day. For me, it’s quality upholstery (sofas and chairs), a nice mattress and a well-made dining table. Sofas and chairs should be comfortable and built to last. I love doing custom pieces that are covered in the right fabric for the room. Our dogs love the sofa, so I invested in a nice cover to protect the fabric and that has helped a lot. A dining table is often the heart of the home and needs to stand up to daily use while still staying beautiful for years to come. This goes for the table in your dining room and breakfast room. Finally, I love doing custom window treatments. The right fabric, right size and right hardware can truly elevate an entire room.
I know it helps to have real numbers, so here’s what I typically see for the pieces I select for clients. The average sofa is around $3,000 and chairs are usually about $1,700 each. Dining tables also tend to be in the $3,000 range and that includes leaves so you can expand them when needed. Window treatments are a little trickier since pricing depends on the size of the window and the fabric you choose. I tell clients to be prepared to spend at least $1,000 for a pair of stationary drapery panels and it goes up from there. I often use more budget-friendly fabrics for windows and save the more expensive ones for custom pillows.
One of my favorite ways to stretch a decorating budget is by mixing high and low. Bedding is a great example. I often use ready-made quilts and shams as the base, then add custom pillows in beautiful fabrics to give the room a finished look. I also like to do this with dining chairs. I’ll source a chair with a simple cushion and have it reupholstered locally in a custom fabric. Usually a performance material that’s easy to clean. Art is another place where you can combine original pieces with framed prints to get that layered, collected feel without overspending. Mixing high and low is one of the best ways to make a home feel personal while still staying within budget.
Finally, there are also plenty of areas where I intentionally save. Accent tables, including coffee tables, are one of them. I have many vendors who offer stylish options at a more approachable price point. I also like using simple accent chairs in a neutral fabric and adding a custom pillow to give a custom touch. Rugs are another place where you can save. While handmade rugs are beautiful, they are expensive. Machine-made rugs have come a long way and many offer the colors and patterns I like to use. Don’t get me wrong, I love a custom wool rug so I can get the perfect size for my clients, but that isn’t always an option.
Creating a home like no other is all about knowing where to invest and where to be practical. If you’re feeling unsure about where to start or how to make the most of your budget, I’d love to help. Reach out anytime and let’s create a plan that works for you and the way you live.