Buying new things for your home is a very exciting task, who doesn’t love shopping? But, if you’re making a lot of changes when renovating your home, the choice and cost can be overwhelming.

It’s important to set a budget with any design project to stop costs from spiralling, so it can be helpful to know where to invest your money and where to save.

Where to spend:

1. Flooring

Flooring is such a crucial part of your home, it impacts the look and feel and it needs to withstand constant use. Spending on your flooring upfront is a long term investment - replacing flooring can be invasive and expensive, and good flooring is less likely to require repairs or replacements down the line.

2. Built-in elements

Custom cabinets, shelving, wardrobes and seating provide storage and functionality, and can be a really valuable addition to your home. By building into the space you have, you can maximise your use of the space whilst also creating a cohesive and seamless look which is tailored exactly to your needs.

3. Lighting

Lighting is such an important part of your home and one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Good lighting can make a space feel inviting and cosy and create ambience in a space. It’s worth investing in enough layered lighting for a comfortable home.

4. Your sofa

If you’re anything like me, you spend a significant amount of time on the sofa - it’s usually the centrepiece of the living room and it gets a lot of use. A high quality sofa which is timeless in design and a material which is suitable for your lifestyle is a worthwhile investment.

5. Dining table

A lot of people consider the kitchen the heart of the home, and the dining table is central to this. If you have children in particular, it’s worth investing in a dining table which is sturdy and can withstand daily life.

Where to save:

1. Accessories

Accessories like pillows, cushions, decorative objects and candles are a great way of adding personality into your home. Our tastes tend to change over the years, so you’ll probably find yourself switching these decorative objects in and out as your style evolves.

2. Side tables and chairs

Whereas the dining table and the sofa are primary pieces of furniture, you’ll also have furniture in your home which are perhaps more functional, aren’t used too often, or are more for decoration rather than function. Look for affordable options that complement the main pieces of furniture.

3. Art

Art can be very expensive, especially original pieces. If you’re needing to add to your collection or buy some new pieces for your home, there are so many affordable choices for art available on a budget. Etsy, Desenio, Print Club London, John Lewis - these are just a few places where you can find really nice affordable prints or canvases.

4. Hardware

If you’re installing cabinets or a new kitchen, hardware can massively rack up the costs especially if you have a lot of drawers or cupboard doors. If you do need to buy on bulk, it’s ok to save and go for a more affordable option.

5. Window treatments

Window treatments like curtains and blinds are such an important finishing touch to a space, but they can be very expensive. It’s easy to spend a lot of money on fabrics and curtains, but if you are on a budget then there are affordable options which add texture without breaking the bank.

If you’d like my help with your next project, check out my services to see how we can work together. If you’ve enjoyed this blog, don’t forget to subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive my new post in your inbox every Sunday.

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