Decorating a home can cost a small fortune – but it doesn't have to.
While it would be nice to go out and buy top of the line items for every room in the house, for most people that just isn't feasible. Fortunately, you can still have a stylish space without declaring bankruptcy. The secret to having a great looking home without completely breaking the bank is mixing top-of-the-line items where it really matters with less expensive pieces where it doesn't. Don't know when to save and when to splurge? No problem, just check out some of the following furniture buying tips.
WHEN TO SPLURGE ON YOUR HOME?
Let’s start with talking about budget. Your idea of inexpensive and mine are likely to be different. Household income, lifestyle and family will determine your priorities and they’ll be different at different points in your life. Splurge where your health is concerned and on statement pieces. These is the furniture that's going to see a lot of use over its lifetime. These are the pieces that you love, that you’ll take with you when you move, that make your home feel like yours. Splurge-worthy furniture should often be: functional, versatile, and have a timeless finish and style.
Sofa
Your sofa is most likely to be one of the largest expenses for your living area. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune, but I definitely recommend going with a good quality sofa rather than the cheapest one you can find. You’ll save money in the long run because you won’t have to replace it as often. It should be durable as well as beautiful, but most importantly it should be comfortable. This means that you should consider your sofa an investment. Purchasing a quality piece of upholstered furniture is going to pay you back! A quality piece of furniture is going to hold up longer and be built better than a bargain piece of furniture.
2. Dinning Room
This is one of those places where you have to think what's your goal. Do you want this dinning table to last you for decades? Would you like to change its appearance every few years?
A good dining table is worth the investment. The table itself will always be the anchor and provide a place for special occasions and memories over the years.
If you plan on spending long periods of time gathered around the dining table, costs can quickly add up since you’ll be purchasing more than just 1 dining chair, high-quality upholstery should maintain its comfort and appearance over time, so dinning chairs are worth the investment as well!
For families with young children, save the investment on the chairs for later. Looking for more affordable, wipe-able dining chairs and easy-to-clean surfaces where the family dines are also good choices, you can always change the feel of the space by trading out or re-upholstering the chairs.
3. Bed
Your bed is where you spend a large portion of your life. Do you know we spend around 1/3 of our life sleeping? A great bed and mattress should come as a no brainer for a good night’s sleep, but many people have a hard time justifying their cost. Just think about how much time you spend in bed, and how much happier you are after a great night’s sleep! You owe yourself a comfortable place to rest and recover. So splurge on a mattress and a bed. Get the most comfortable one you can comfortably afford.
WHEN TO SAVE ON YOUR HOME?
Spending money on something that you don’t love or that isn’t going to last is never a good investment. It’s tempting to purchase the trendy piece with a low price tag, especially when it flashes on your feed and it looks just like the one you saw on Instagram. But try to limit these quick-buys to smaller items that have a short shelf life, like a fun throw rug for your kitchen.
1. Side Tables
These fun accents can be found just about anywhere, so if you find some that suit your décor for a cheap price snatch them up! Side tables don't see much wear and tear so you don't have to worry a lot on them. If you don't spend a lot of money on something that won't be damaged easily, you'll be able to replace it when needed without damaging your wallet.
2. Rugs
Once upon a time rugs were a big investment and we all spent a lot of money on them, these days it’s much easier to find rugs at varying price points. Area rugs are great items on which to save money. They're always getting walked on, having stuff spilled on them, and generally taking a lot of abuse, so don't spend a lot of money on something that's bound to get damaged.
There are so many stylish, affordable options on the market that there’s really no reason to spend thousands of dollars on an area rug.
3. Most Decor Accents
Invest in items that you plan to keep for a long time and save on items that you use for decorating. Items that are seasonal or items that you won’t be handling often are great places to save money.
For example, The dining chairs that you sit in everyday may need to be a splurge because you want them to be comfortable and long lasting, but the accent chair in the corner that looks pretty and is rarely sat in, can be a place to save. Also, unless you want to collect Art, there's absolutely no need to spend a lot of money on artwork. Art can be made out of just about anything so try framing photographs, wallpaper or even fabrics.
Remember, these are tips but there are no written rules, when it comes to designing and buying furniture for your house, feel free to be creative! If you really love something, by all means get it! Those items are the ones that you’ll have for a long time. Those pieces that speak to you are the ones that will give character and reflect personality to your space.
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