Spend vs. Save: Part One
Living Rooms + Dining Rooms
In this age of online discount codes, two-day delivery, and instant gratification we’re all more than a little suspicious when it comes to paying the full sticker value for just about anything. I mean, there’s a reason the “S” in “MSRP” stands for “suggested,” right? Now don’t get me wrong — I love a bargain as much as the next gal, but my time and experience in this industry have taught me there’s a painful amount of truth packed into the old phrase “You get what you pay for.”
When it comes to furniture and home décor, a question we Interior Designers get all the time is where to splurge and where to save. Unfortunately, this isn’t a post where I’m planning to spill a bunch of trade secrets related to exactly how designers pass on savings to their clients (and that’s because there really aren’t many of them, to be frank). However, I can tell you that in each and every room in your home there are several places where it makes sense to spend a little more — AND others where it’s totally fine for you to be a little bit more thrifty.
For Part One of this series, I’ll focus on Living Rooms and Dining Rooms and show you some different ways you can make smart purchases for your next design project, no matter what your budget is!
Living Rooms
As the hub of some big-ticket items like sectionals, rugs, art, electronic media systems, etc. it’s no surprise that the Living Room often comes under a lot of scrutiny for bargain hunters. Your family spends a large chunk of time here each and every day, and if you’re a fan of entertaining (do you guys remember friends?) you know that the Living Room is both a calling card for your personal style and a real workhorse of a space — it’s truly form meets function.
So how do you make your dollars stretch while making sure to invest where it really counts? Read on!
Where You Should Spend
Upholstered Furniture
This one is a bit of a no-brainer. Your furniture should not only look good and be comfortable (two hallmarks of quality pieces), but it needs to perform! This is not only a matter of aesthetics but should be looked at from a health perspective as well. Consider the ergonomics. Ask questions about what materials and chemicals might have been used in the construction.
It’s worth noting that performance fabrics have come a long way over the years and will help these investments stand the test of time. You should seriously consider those options even if you live in a kid and pet-free household.
Remember that while it might be a bit painful to drop thousands of dollars on that oversized sectional for your family of six, this is an investment that should hold up for the next decade or so if it’s taken care of properly. And if the craftsmanship is high enough, this furniture can even be reupholstered well beyond that timeline as design trends and your own personal tastes and needs change!
As the items in your home that get the bulk of your everyday wear and tear, trust me that it’s worth the splurge.
Coffee Tables
As the room-centering anchor across from your sofa, the coffee table is another workhorse piece of furniture that’s worth a slight splurge. Solid, quality wood pieces will not only stand the test of time from a performance perspective but have excellent resale value when it’s time for a room refresh. They’re also good candidates for refinishing if you’re into that sort of thing!
While a bargain coffee table might save you some money in the short-term, they age poorly and can even contribute to the faster deterioration of neighboring items. If you’ve ever dealt with a wobbly coffee table that gets just a little bit looser month-by-month, you already know what I mean. But I’ve actually seen poorly finished tables leech their wood stain onto the area rugs they’re sitting atop (another big-ticket item).
Not to mention these sturdy staples often perform double duty as prime gymnastics equipment for the little ones — or for the tired adult that occasionally likes to kick up their feet. Our take is to buy a good one once, instead of wasting your money on an endless parade of cheap ones.
Also on the blog: If you’re looking for some fantastic books to adorn your new coffee table, check out our list of 25 Coffee Table Books to Covet!
Area Rugs
This is a hard one to hear because area rugs are always just SO. DAMN. EXPENSIVE (for real), but can you think of a more logical place to put your money than under your feet? It’s kind of like shoes — of course, you can find a cheap pair that looks nice if you look hard enough, but are they really going to be comfortable to walk on? Area rugs need to be high-quality because you literally walk on them all day every day. These investment pieces will last for years and remember they’re also doing a ton to protect your beautiful floors in this high-traffic area.
(Stay tuned for the Dining Room section up next where I give you the exact opposite advice on rugs!)
Architectural Elements + Millwork
This one may be a bit of a surprise that people don’t often think about but can have a huge impact on a space. If you’re feeling like your living room lacks character, consider adding some built-in shelving, ceiling beams, crown molding, etc. These types of additions can be expensive but definitely pay you back both in immediate visual value and by increasing your resale value if the time ever comes for you to move on.
This is also an area where it’s a wise investment to consult an Interior Designer to help you consider things such as scale, construction-method, and to be sure the planned addition compliments the architectural style of your home. Going the DIY route on something as complex and permanent as carpentry is not for the faint of heart, so go ahead and call in the pros if your budget allows! We’ve got highly-skilled tradespeople on call and will make sure you’re pleased with the end result.
Window Treatments
Window treatments are another splurge item that clients tend to overlook. Just because windows often come in standard sizes doesn’t mean they should be outfitted with standard blinds, drapes, rods, etc.!
Think about the amount of time spent choosing a paint color for the wall, or finding the perfect piece of furniture. It’s illogical to limit your window treatment selections for that very same space to the few lackluster options you might find online or at your local home store. If you want a truly elevated look in your room, investing in tailored custom, or semi-custom window treatments will pack a major punch.
Quality drapes will also help make your home more energy-efficient, increase the acoustic performance of your space, and can even add some much-needed privacy if you’ve got nebby neighbors on your hands! I promise you they’re worth every penny.
One-of-a-Kind Art
I firmly believe that finding the perfect piece of art will totally transform a space. However, quality art is also expensive, especially when it’s one-of-a-kind, and handmade by an artist. If you have a favorite artist that you’d like to support, it’s a safe bet that you’ll feel some joy and pride every time you lay your eyes on one of their pieces hanging in your home. These items are not just conversation items, but often become heirlooms, and can even become quite valuable over time as well!
While your art should be an investment, also consider that this doesn’t necessarily have to be an enormous splurge — at least not in the monetary sense. Let me explain: As they say, “Time is money,” and when it comes to choosing art, it’s definitely worth taking your time versus rushing to purchase something mass-produced simply because you want to get your space finished.
Another tip for art is to avoid cutting corners. Invest in a proper matt board if needed, and seek out professional framing. This will not only help display your new piece in its best light but will help preserve its quality. Professional installation is also a worthwhile investment. The last thing you want after an art splurge is a piece that is poorly secured to the wall, or hanging askew!
Where You Should Save
Alright, that was a substantial list of items where it’s smart to spend, so I’m sure you’re more than ready to talk about where you can find some savings! While you can certainly find costly, quality versions of just about any item for your home (like these crocodile-embossed leather coasters, or OMG this 8x10 lapis lazuli picture frame), some go-to items we’re happy to sub-out for more budget-friendly alternatives include:
Paint + Simple Wall Coverings
The number of paint colors and lines to choose from is limited only by your imagination. Although you can spend a pretty penny on this, especially when you get into some of the more unique embellished wallpapers, etc., it’s fine to save a little cash here. If there is a paint color from an expensive brand that you’re absolutely coveting for a room, chances are there’s a dead ringer for it in one of the inexpensive lines available at your local home improvement store (and they can most likely match it, if not).
There are also a handful of ways to make paint look more expensive in a room, even if the paint itself wasn’t a splurge. Treat your walls for imperfections first. Take the time to fill any cracks or holes, sand it smooth, and clean the application surface. Consider using a primer and a topcoat. Experimenting with different sheens or faux finishing techniques can also help you achieve a luxe look.
Accent Chairs
This might be a bit of a hot take, but if a piece of furniture is rarely used, or is simply tucked into some random corner just to balance out the space, then there’s absolutely no good reason to spend thousands of dollars on it. Please don’t come for my head, fellow designers.
Side Tables
Same general thoughts as above. These really only need to hold a lamp and the occasional drink.
Lighting
When lighting is in use, you can’t really get a good look at it anyway, right? Try staring into a lightbulb and tell me how expensive it looks. This is doubly true for any high-up, out-of-the-way fixtures — or fixtures in those areas that you breeze right through without pausing to soak in the vignette (corridors and entryways).
It can be like searching for a needle in a haystack at times, but there are definitely some bargains to be had when it comes to lighting fixtures. If you’re an absolute stickler for matching your metal finishes, be sure to try and get a sample if possible, or look into the return policy before you commit to something.
I’ll add just a bit of context here to say spend a little more for table and floor lamps if you rely on this type of lighting more often. But don’t spend thousands of dollars on a living room chandelier and sconces that will never be lit. Don’t sweat this one!
Throw Pillows, Blankets + Accessories
It might seem counterintuitive to put an inexpensive throw pillow on an expensive sofa, but I promise you no one is going to know. You also won’t feel as guilty when the urge to change these items up strikes again with each new season — and it should! Save on these items, and have fun restyling as often as you’d like.
Sidebar: Do you think it’s acceptable to talk about uber-expensive candles in therapy? Yes, they smell amazing, but you’re literally just setting your money on fire and watching it burn. Sigh. If you’re like me and you can’t resist snatching these up, maybe just save lighting them for when you have guests over (do you guys remember friends)?
Also on the blog: For the essential list of items we’re always on the hunt for, check out The Beginners Guide to Home Décor + Accessories!
Dining Rooms
Chances are if you’re lucky enough to have a formal Dining Room in your home, you’re not using it as much as your Living Room. There’s also quite a bit of overlap with items here, so I’ll try to keep this section brief.
Where You Should Spend
Dining Tables
This can be true for both formal dining spaces and even more informal spaces like eat-in kitchens and breakfast nooks. The table is the workhorse piece of furniture here, so invest in something quality that’s going to stand up to anything from a holiday meal to nightly homework.
Chairs
Comfort is key here! There’s nothing like an uncomfortable seat to ruin a delicious meal and cut good conversations short. Also, buying multiples of anything is bound to drive the price up — it’s just the nature of the space.
Lighting
While lighting is a general “save” item for Living Rooms, it’s a definite splurge item for dining rooms. Think of the proximity you’ll spend sitting directly below the chandelier, or a pair of nice pendants. After the dining table, the light fixture is the main statement you make in this space. It’s a conversation piece and will have lots of eyes on it. Make it count.
Also opposite of Living Room advice, you can save on any accent lighting that won’t get as much use in this space (like wall sconces, or a pair of table lamps flanking either end of a buffet).
Where You Should Save
Area Rugs
Like I teased in the above section, area rugs for the Dining Room are the exception to the rule. Not only do you not see much of an area rug thanks to the dining table, but it gets almost no traffic at all in this space (except maybe for frequent visits by a hungry pup). It’s also likely to be the unfortunate recipient of that dropped bite of food, or a spilled glass of wine. Something with a lower pile, in a simple design, and durable construction should take precedence over something flashy and plush this time.
Almost more important than the style is to consider the size of your Dining Room area rug. As a general rule of thumb, choose a rug that’s large enough so that your dining chairs can be pulled out completely without getting caught on the rug’s edge.
Table Linens
Also the unfortunate recipient of spilled food and drink, and just as likely to be freshened up with each changing season.
Wall Art + Tabletop Accessories
Take the bulk of what we said about finding art for your Living Room and flip it. You’re not going to make a special detour into the dining room every day to see that painting you love, and neither will your more informal guests. Save on artwork for this space so you can splurge where it counts.
As for tabletop accessories, while these are pretty and nice to have for occasions (holidays), these items often just get cleared away when it’s time to actually eat. That’s what the room is for, after all!
BONUS: Buffets, Sideboards + Storage Furniture
These items can be spends or saves, and it totally depends on your lifestyle, and what’s going on in the other parts of your home! If you’re not lacking for storage, then you can pass on something like a buffet or sideboard altogether. On the other hand, if you love hosting casual brunches or dinner parties where guests can serve themselves, or if you really don’t have anywhere else to keep your table linens and serving pieces, then go ahead and splurge. There isn’t a clear right or wrong answer for this one.
We hope this post has made you feel inspired to conquer your next project, and confident in your purchasing decisions. For more in this series, check out Part Two: Kitchens + Baths!
If you feel like you need some professional support for your home design project, click below to get in touch with the Studio 1049 team!