We know, it’s tricky to figure out the best way to spend your design dollars—and that’s why we’re here with the ultimate guide to the best home decor tips on budgeting (including foolproof splurge vs. save tips!).
Whether you’re moving into a new apartment, becoming a first-time homeowner, or simply remodeling the existing decor, it can be difficult to decide where to spend and where to save. The ultimate goal behind each choice is to balance quality, value, and budget.
Where to Splurge on Home Decor
Splurge on Lighting
Lighting sets the mood of a space. Think of a chandelier in the dining room, wall sconces and lamps in a bedroom, and pendant lights over the kitchen island. The getaway from each setting is the same: lighting can single-handedly transform the entire vibe, and cheap finds cannot replicate the vibe of luxurious fixtures. And oh, lighting is something your furry friends and little ones can’t easily damage 😜 Plus, if you’re moving to a new home, you can easily remove and take the fixtures along. It’s always a win-win.
Lighting Fixtures Worth Splurging on For Luxury Home Decor—
Splurge on Sofas
Smart home decor spending is all about splurging on pieces that are used the most and undergo the highest wear and tear, like living room sofas. There is truly nothing like a comfortable place to enjoy movie nights with your partner, play board games with friends & family, or simply lounge around with your favorite book and cozy knit. And it’s not only about comfort. A cheaper sofa will surrender to kids, pets, and spills a bit too soon. You’ll end up replacing the piece in a year or so, which means you will actually spend more in the long run!
Sofas Worth Splurging on For Luxury Home Decor—
- Devion Sectional Sofa
- Faux Leather Couch (perfect for smaller homes)
- Deep Seat Convertible Sectional
- Suelo Modern Wood Sofa
Splurge on Handmade Decor
Handmade accessories are one of the best home decor investment pieces. Not only do they support artisans and makers, but handcrafted pottery and vintage finds also add so much character to your home.
Handmade Decor Worth Splurging on For Luxury Home Decor—
Splurge on Mattress
Of all the other items in your home, a comfortable mattress and quality bedding are two of the top decor splurge-worthy items. Every human spends around one-third of their life (on average) in their bedroom—and that’s pretty much one of the top reasons to go big on luxury choices for your sanctuary. But remember, the decision of where to splurge in decor is best made when considering functionality and comfort side-by-side.
Talking of bedding, budget-friendly options seem like a good place to save. But once you start using these cheap purchases, the fabric unravels and doesn’t feel too good, either. Higher-quality bedding is much more sustainable and durable. Best of all, it contributes to better sleep!
Mattress Worth Splurging on For Luxury Home Decor—
- Avenco Mattress (memory foam)
- Novilla King Mattress (cooling gel)
- Zinus Mattress (hybrid mattress)
- Organic Wool Mattress (for back pain)
- Premium Luxury Gel Mattress (for heavy people)
Bedding Worth Splurging on For Luxury Home Decor—
Splurge on Long-Lasting Items
One of the smartest home styling tips is to splurge on every heavy-usage, long-lasting element around the house. This includes everything from kitchen countertops and high-quality bathroom cabinets to luxurious fixtures (faucets, sinks, showerheads, etc.) in the bathroom and kitchen. The same applies to the windows, flooring, and HVAC systems of your home. All such features will last you for a decade—if not more. Hence, they deserve extra space in the overall budget.
Where to Save on Home Decor
Save on Accent Furniture
Budget-friendly decorating is all about saving on items that don’t contribute to the functionality of the home. An accent chair, for example, would most probably sit in a room solely for aesthetics. It just needs to be sturdy enough to comfortably seat an individual for short periods. Ottomans and poufs, as well as side tables, are also choices you can save on.
Budget-Friendly Accent Chairs for Affordable Home Decor—
- RoundHill Furniture Doarnin
- Mellow Wyn Sling Accent Chair
- Butterfly Chair
- Carlaya Reclining Accent Chair
Save on Decor Accents
What’s the primary difference between high-end vs. low-end decor? Perhaps, the cost. The purpose of decor accents is simply to enhance the visual appeal. They don’t really add or subtract from the functionality of a space. Going for the cost-effective options is always a good idea, especially because you can find absolutely stunning pieces at super affordable prices—as the ones below.
Budget-Friendly Decor Accents for Affordable Home Decor—
- Metal Decorative Sculpture
- Mini Faux Potted Plants
- Abstract Wall Decor
- Full Body Living Room Mirror
- White Rustic Decorative Tray
Save on Non-Upholstered Furniture
While this doesn’t apply to every non-upholstered furniture item, it’s a good rule of thumb for most pieces. You can, for example, buy a high-quality bed and save on the nightstands. Similarly, you can save on end tables in the living room, kitchen bar counter stools in the kitchen, and dresser seats in the bedroom.
As you may have noticed, all of these items are non-upholstered. Such lightweight and easy-to-move items can easily be changed out without putting a dent in your bank account.
Tip: You can even DIY particular pieces, for example, building your own wooden nightstand. Fun & functional, together!
Budget-Friendly Furniture Items for Affordable Home Decor—
Save On Throws Pillows
Throw pillows are one of the perfect budget decorating ideas. Instead of browsing through upscale outlets, hop onto big departmental stores or a local fabric store to find the same throw pillows (and covers) at much more reasonable prices. You can also sew brand-new cushion covers with old bed sheets or clothes!
Note: Feel free to splurge on the filling because it will last you for years.
Budget-Friendly Throw Pillow Inserts & Covers for Affordable Home Decor—
- Acanva Throw Pillow Inserts (Cost-effective)
- Euro Pillow Inserts (Expensive)
- Velvet Pillow Cover
- Reversible Pillow Cover
- Printed Pillow Covers
- Colorful Pillow Covers
Save on Textiles
Credit: Amazon Resale
When saving on home decor, textiles are another great opportunity to cut unnecessary spikes in the budget. There are tons of places to visit for cost-effective interior design. Off-season purchases, outlet stores, discount retailers, or secondhand finds are some common options. The best part? You’ll find any and every textile you need: curtains, rugs, table runners, towels, shower curtains, you name it!
Budget-Friendly Textiles for Affordable Home Decor (from Amazon Resale)—
The Middle Ground
Though we did list specific items, it is valuable to know that the exact splurge vs. save tips vary from person to person. Why? Let’s take an example. People often advise splurging on a good mattress. But what if you’re a side sleeper who finds their desired comfort level in a cost-effective mattress? The point is, comfort is always the priority, not necessarily the price tag. What may be ‘definitely a splurge’ for one might be an ‘incredible saving opportunity’ for another.
