Since we all have a budget when decorating our homes, we often wonder whether to splurge or save on a particular item. No matter what your budget is, let's talk about what it really costs to furnish a house.
For the past couple of years, I've debated whether to splurge on a bed for my guest room/office. I've spent hours staring at the bed of my dreams (pun intended, ha!) and going back and forth on taking the plunge.
In the end I bought a more budget-friendly bed and planned to put it together this weekend, but when we opened the box, we found broken pieces. Womp. Womp.
I immediately wished I'd bought the pricier bed. But it got me thinking about when I'm willing to spend more on furnishing my home and when I'm happy to save a buck.
Splurge vs. Save: Room by Room
1. Bedroom
Splurge: Mattress.
Since we spend a third of our lives asleep, I think a quality mattress is worth every penny. My husband and I recently started sleeping on these Saatva mattresses (the luxury firm comfort level), and they've changed our lives! (Update in 2025: we STILL have and love that mattress!)
We spend far less time tossing and turning, which means we're not waking ourselves up at night. Sounder sleep equals a better-functioning human. So we love them and shared more about the mattresses here.
By the way, I don't think Saatva mattresses are especially pricey. They cost about the same as you'd pay at a mattress store. My point is that you don't want to go cheap on something you'll spend so much time on!
Save: Bed Frame or Headboard & Nightstands.
I don't always go the budget route with a bed frame or headboard, but it can be done when you need to. You can make a DIY headboard like the one we had in our bedroom for 10 years, and it worked out great!
As for nightstands, you can always splurge on them if you want something specific. But if money is tight, buy something secondhand or DIY a budget-friendly option.
I hacked these $35 IKEA dressers back in 2012 to create beautiful nightstands for my husband and me. We still use them at a second home to this day!
2. Living Room
Splurge: Sofa
Just like the bed, we spend a lot of time on our sofas. Probably not a third of our lives (hopefully we're more active than that!), but a quality sofa to rest on at the end of the day is worth investing in.
Our couch is the PB Comfort Grand from Pottery Barn, and it's super comfortable. We found it new on Craigslist, but I'd buy it from the store again when it's time to replace it.
When we moved in 2019, we upgraded to the PB Comfort Sectional, and we love it, too!
Save: Rugs and Throw Pillows
I've never spent more than $600 on an area rug, even for my 10 x 14 rugs, and my smaller rugs have been much cheaper! Right now, expensive rugs just aren't worth the money to me since I have young kids.
So I keep things budget-friendly, and there are tons of options out there, like the ones I found at Wayfair. I may splurge on a rug someday when my kids are grown, but not yet! I also love my Ruggable runner in the kitchen!
The Best Place to Buy Rugs Online
You can find inexpensive throw pillows almost anywhere, from HomeGoods to Target. I've even used my basic sewing skills to whip up a pillow or two!
- Easy DIY Throw Pillow (tutorial)
- Stenciled Drop Cloth Throw Pillow (DIY)
- Make a Throw Pillow with Iron-On Transfer
- Easy DIY Napkin Pillow Covers
Tip: If you want to make your own pillow cover and only need the insert, buy a throw pillow on clearance at a home decor store and toss the cover.
3. Kitchen
Splurge: Appliances & Dinnerware
Nothing is more frustrating than a broken appliance, so do your research and buy the best quality your budget allows.
Thankfully, since we moved in, we've only had to replace the dishwasher! I knew I was going to buy a Bosch the moment it died, because they're the best and quietest machines on the market. I really love mine. Worth every penny!
Dinnerware doesn't have to be fancy, but you don't want plates that chip or develop those ugly gray marks. We love our melamine dishes, which look like real ceramic and come in 4 beautiful colors!
I also recently replaced our old, chipped Target dishes with this gorgeous Emma Beaded Dinnerware set. I should have registered for it when we got married. Lesson learned!
Save: Tables
The tables in my dining room and kitchen cost me less than $300 combined! I know, right?! When we moved into our home, we couldn't afford brand-new tables.
So I scoured Craigslist and found our kitchen table, then restained the top and painted the legs. I love it!
And when it was time for a large dining table, I learned how to DIY one!
They've both held up beautifully! While I'd love to stroll into Pottery Barn and buy a table (I will do that someday), until then I'm super grateful for my budget-friendly ones. Always check secondhand stores, estate sales, or Facebook Marketplace for tables!
4. Bathroom
Splurge: Toilet and Shower Head
You want your bathroom to work well, so make sure these items are top notch and something you'll be happy living with for a long time.
Save: Mirrors and Lighting
When we gutted the bathrooms in our old house, we used inexpensive mirrors from Hobby Lobby (bought when they were half price), and they looked beautifully high end! In the bathroom pictured above, I framed out the builder-grade mirror to give it a custom look.
I recently shared a post all about budget-friendly bathroom lighting. I didn't even replace the lights in my recent bathroom refresh. I just swapped the light shades for modern ones, and they look great!
5. Accessories
Splurge: Candles
Candles seem like an odd splurge, right? But think about it. If you're going to burn something in your home, you want high-quality products, not cheap, nasty stuff your family breathes in all day.
My favorite candle company, Antique Candle Co., is a small shop that uses only the finest ingredients. I've found that their candles burn longer and keep a consistent scent for the life of the candle. The fragrance doesn't fade after the first 30 minutes. Yay!
Save: Art
There's a time to spend money on art, but high-quality art doesn't have to break the bank. Artists sell their work on Etsy and Minted at great price points. And if you're the least bit creative, you can make your own custom art for your walls.
- Affordable Landscape Art
- DIY Abstract Art
- Beach-Inspired Framed Canvas Art (use any photo you've taken!)
- Engineer Prints: DIY Large Art on a Budget
I loved saving more than $500 by making this Peacock Art over my bed. I found the print, sourced a free frame, bought a custom mat, and voila! Just $75 later, I had a beautiful piece of art over my bed.
Save: Lamps
I love finding a lamp on clearance, because lighting adds so much to a space for not much money. I'm hunting for new lamps for my entryway, so I've been shopping and found some great budget-friendly choices!
I'll admit that as I've gotten older, I've started splurging on more lighting. But the truth is you can get a similar look for less when it comes to lamps and overhead lights!
- 25+ Amazing Table Lamps for Your Home
- 17 Beautiful Dining Room Chandeliers
- Modern Wall Sconces for Every Budget
- 17 Stunning, Easy-to-Install Entryway Lighting Fixtures
Do you agree with me based on your own experience? What would you add?
Which items do you think are worth splurging on? Which ones can be more budget-friendly? Let me know in the comments below!
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