Home Decorating When To Splurge vs Save? The Best Tips
We all want a lovely home that’s comfortable for us and looks great. But we all know that putting a new home together can take some time and a lot of money. Most of us have a budget to work with. So which items can you splurge vs save on?
When it comes to interior design and home decor there are lots of different ways to go about creating your best home. But there are a few items that are always worth investing in. And other items that you can spend little money on and nobody will know the difference.
There’s a balance in getting the right pieces for the right price. And not all items have to carry a hefty price tag. Here’s the rundown of when to splurge vs save!
Splurge vs Save
What’s Worth The Splurge?
Spending a little more money on high quality items can in fact save you a lot of money later down the line. No doubt we’ve all bought something of not great quality which has ended up being thrown out. Which then costs us double or more overall.
These are the tips on where to splurge when decorating your home.
Generally, the items you should invest extra money in to are the things you’re going to use the most. So they need to be better quality to withstand a lot of use over the long term. It also depends on what rooms and areas are most important to you.
Larger items are the foundation pieces for your home so it needs to last the long run. A statement piece can make a great focal point so that may be something you’d like to spend more money on. A floor mirror, a piece of art or a stunning light fixture may be the piece de resistance.
Or maybe you’ve had your eye on a luxury or branded piece and a replica is just not going to cut it.
Splurge Checklist:
- Classic style items that are safe to say will never go out of style and will stand the test of time.
- Furniture pieces or areas of the home that are used every day and get a lot of use.
- Statement pieces that are going to show for everyone to see are usually a part of a focal point.
- Branded or luxury pieces you love that are considered higher quality items.
- A one-off piece that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s one of a kind maybe handcrafted or a commissioned piece.
Whether it’s one or more points from the list for your splurge purchase always check the quality of materials and the return policy.
And for luxury pieces check other stores and see if there are any differences between the materials and quality because you may be paying extra money just for the brand name.
For a one-off piece like an art painting, make sure you communicate exactly what your expectations are for your piece so you have a good idea of what you’re getting.
Items To Splurge On
Sofa
The sofa gets a lot of use on a day-to-day basis. You don’t want to buy a sofa that looks good but only have it wear out in only a couple of years. Check the construction of the sofa and how it’s made. A hardwood frame will last through the years.
Also, check the quality of the fabric. Choosing a performance fabric is best for durability. These two factors play a big part in telling how high quality it is. Make sure you choose the right type of seating for you.
Kitchen Cabinets
For a new home or a fixer-up home, kitchen cabinets are worth always worth the investment.
Your kitchen is built and designed around your cabinets and they’re going to be carrying a lot of weight with pots pans and dinnerware. The same applies to the kitchen countertops. Both need to be good quality as it’s going to be there a long time. And they’ll be used lots of times daily.
Bed & Mattress
We spend a lot of time sleeping so it only makes sense to invest in a good quality mattress. And the bed frame to go with it. The first thing about having a good morning is getting a good night’s sleep.
And your bedding will also play a big part in that. For a guest bedroom So consider upgrading your bedding to high-quality linen or Egyptian cotton sheets.
Dining Chairs
You and your family plus guests should feel comfortable when sitting down to eat. Dining chairs can be easily moved around to other areas of the home for extra seating. So they need to be strong and sturdy.
Curtains
For any formal space like a dining room or a luxury bedroom design go for custom window treatments. A formal space isn’t going to look right when the windows aren’t dressed properly.
When To Save?
Not everything at home has to be expensive. But that doesn’t mean cheap either. There are a lot of home decor items you can save on.
Again it comes down to how much use they’re going to have and how you like the overall look of the pieces. You can get away with paying less for smaller items and things that are used lightly.
No doubt you’re working to a budget. You’ll have your top priorities to where your money is allocated. When the items are not top of the list it makes financial sense to save in other areas. You can DIY some things too if you’ve got the time.
Save Checklist:
- Trendy home decor accents and furniture pieces.
- When you know the items aren’t going to be used on a regular basis.
- A luxury or branded piece with only a couple of slight differences between the original.
- You won’t care too much if it gets messy, stained or broken.
- Look out for sales on Black Friday and throughout the year for things you’ve had your eye on for a while.
- You can get some unique quality pieces from thrift shops and flea markets for a fraction of the price.
- Save on items that can easily be moved around the home.
Even when spending less money on an item it should always be something you really like.
Furniture sales are great but beware of buying any random item just because it’s not full price. Discount stores can also be a great place to look. Sometimes furniture stores give great prices for the slightest furniture defect or for a showroom piece.
It’s always important to go prepared with your mood board or a list of items you’re looking for, so you don’t regret your purchase decision. Sometimes we can get carried away when we find some great deals!
Items To Save On
A Coffee Table
It’s always nice to have a coffee table in front of the sofa but you can still get a beautiful design without having to spend a lot of money.
Side Tables
Side tables can be moved around the room so and just have to look good. These can be inexpensive items where you can save some money.
Throw Pillows
The price of throw pillows is so varied. So I think it always makes sense to go with lower price throw pillows. Or at the very least mix in some cheaper pillows with some a little more expensive.
And cushion covers are one of the easiest things you can make. If a drink spills all over your cushions you won’t be too upset as it wasn’t much money anyway.
Curtains
For just some privacy from the outside world, you can just hang some sheer curtains up. Ikea’s curtains are a first choice, you can’t tell the difference between theirs and the more expensive version.
Sheer curtains are really cost-effective and you can always double up with some heavier curtains later.
Kitchen Cabinets
If you’ve had your kitchen a while and are happy with the layout and quality of the cabinets, try painting them a different colour. And changing the hardware is a great idea for a new look. It will make a big difference.
Spending Decisions
The good news is that all these splurge and save items for your home can be bought and done at different times. Don’t worry about getting your home done all at once.
Take your time decorating and focus on the most important things. Focusing on one single room at a time can be the thing for you to do.
Remember that it comes down to personal choice too. As it depends on your decorating journey and your design style. There are a couple of ideas that appear on the save and splurge list for that very reason.
There are some things that you may feel the need to spend more on because of its function or where it’s positioned in the room. For example, some light fixtures you can save money on if they’re not the main focus of the room. Like a sconce or a floor light. Or because of your chosen design style, you won’t need to spend a lot of money.
I hope these tips give you a good sense of what you can splurge and save on!
Chloe
