
Splurge vs. Save When Decorating — Top Tips by Interior Designers
Let’s face it: home decorating is super expensive. Whether you’re decorating a newly purchased property or giving your existing decor a facelift, interior design projects can get heavy on the wallet — but not always. You don’t have to throw money on every item purchased. Heavy-use, keep-them-forever items are worthy of hefty price tags, while others simply don’t deserve it.
So, what home decor pieces can you break your budget on?
Splurge: Lighting
“Lighting plays a vital role in interior design. It can transform an interior by creating ambiance, enhancing textures and colors, and highlighting architectural elements,” says Kimberly Elizabeth.
Splurging on lighting means incorporating all three types of lighting, including ambient, task, and accent, with good-quality fixtures, smart technology that saves on electricity costs, and the right color temperature that sets the desired mood. Don’t forget to add statement pendant lighting and funky lamps to introduce a wow factor to the decor.
Splurge: Living Room Seating
Durable, upholstered seating is a worthwhile splurge point. “If you’re only going to splurge on one piece, let it be a high-quality sofa. It is a good investment that withstands the test of time,” says Cheryl Eisen of Interior Marketing Group.
An ergonomic sofa set with quality fabric made of high-grade synthetics (or natural fibers) will elevate your day-to-day experience of socializing and unwinding. Cheap fabrics cheat on durability, so why not splurge on a well-constructed, upholstered piece that feels good against the skin and lasts for years?
Save: Wall Art
“While I believe in investing in art that you truly love, I tend to purchase vintage pieces at auction for a much more affordable price than you find at a gallery or print shop,” says Bethany Adams, a certified interior designer with the Kentucky Board of Architecture.
Bonus points? Vintage pieces are already framed. So that means they save on the framing costs — and are all set to be displayed to work their magic in creating a unique look.
Etsy, Minted, Pottery Barn, Serena & Lily, or even your favorite Instagram artist’s personal website are a few other places to source stunning art and save bucks.
Save: Decorative Accents
“Save on easy-to-replace accents such as lamps, decorative items, throw pillows, planters, vases, etc.,” says Linda Holt.
Take this saving as an excuse to fill up your cart at Target — or even thrift stores, online marketplaces, and garage sales. Sometimes, these stores have their finger on the pulse for the latest trends in home decor, so you’re guaranteed to land the most stylish pieces that are reasonably priced and look great.