One of the best ways to save money when you decorate is to know what items you should and should not splurge on! It’s so smart to have a plan and a budget for decorating and part of the plan knowing what furnishings are worth spending more and what thing are not worth your $$$.
I have a do and don’t list in my head. You know, the kind you check off to make sure you are on task.
But this is a decor checklist (of course)!
It is a list of things I should and should not splurge on.
In the left column of this mental list is the DO column and in the right column in the DO NOT one. I thought it might be time to not only write it down but share it with you too! So here it is my list of decor I should and should not splurge on!
WHAT NOT TO SPLURGE ON…
Okay, let’s talk about what I would NOT splurge on…
LAMPS
Lamps come in a gamut of prices and quality.
But anymore, you should be able to get a fabulously styled lamp at a reasonable price! Lamps are great accessories and great items to use to make a little decorating splash in a room.
If I like to update items they usually go on the DON’T SPLURGE list!
RUGS
Once upon a time a couple decades ago and beyond many of us bought gorgeous, expensive oriental accent rugs because we thought we would have them forever. And we probably still do!
Even if our styles have changed we still have them! I have a few rolled in the basement because…you guessed it… my taste has changed, a lot!
I now buy rugs at reasonable prices and use them until I get tired of them. Rugs get used hard! And they get soiled! So it’s smart to get them at a reasonable price so you can replace them from time to time.m,
You can get fabulous, beautiful rugs that will work with today’s styles and still look as amazing (well, almost) as those rugs we used to pay thousands for!
ACCENT CHAIRS
I have a thing for chairs! I love their shapes, colors, and fabrics. And I don’t spend big bucks for them.
I do have a few “foundational chairs” in my home that get lots and lots of use and they are more of an investment like the spindle chairs in the great room. They were worth the splurge because they are workhorses in my great room.
But for the most part, my chairs are very reasonably priced and some are downright cheap!
Don’t overlook buying chairs at thrift and vintage shops, especially if they just have an upholstered seat. You can repaint and upholster and slipcover them and they are one-of-a-kind treasure!
You can see more about choosing the right accent chair HERE.
ART
Now, this is totally me and may not apply to you. I love going to museums and appreciate art but I don’t splurge on it.
I tend to get tired of most paintings when I live with them. So I prefer using architectural pieces and mirrors and fun, funky art like the one above!
I have a few gorgeous pieces of original art that are so precious to me, but for the most part, I don’t invest in art!
MIRRORS
Mirrors go in this category and in don’t splurge too!
Gorgeous mirrors are as far away as your local vintage store. I just got two stunning gilded mirrors from family members. Score! They are very good quality! Always look for great quality in the glass too! But if you are a savvy shopper you can get really high-quality mirrors at great prices!
COFFEE AND END TABLES
Just like the Don’t Splurges on my list, coffee and end tables come in various prices! I don’t necessarily get cheap coffee and end tables but I look around for great looking pieces or very good pieces on amazing sales. These pieces tend to live longer in my home before I get bored with them or I switch them from room to room.
Our coffee tables are used quite hard and I don’t want to chase after family and friends with coasters etc. because they were such an investment I’m afraid they would get a water ring on them. So no need to spend a fortune!
PILLOWS AND AND OTHER TEXTILES
Pillows are one of those amazing pieces of decor items that can change the look of a room! And here’s the good new about them and most other textiles…
YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEND LOTS OF $$$ FOR THEM!
My favorite way to buy pillows are to buy the pillow inserts (down) and the pillow covers separately. This really helps cut down on finding places to store pillows that are not in use!
Make the investment in good quality down or feather/down blend inserts and they will last a long long time!
Pillow inserts will make a HUGE difference in how your pillows look and feel! There is a lot to know about pillow inserts.
You can read about it at HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PILLOW INSERTS HERE.
No need to splurge on throws and curtains either.
HOME DECOR ACCENTS
Home decor accents are any decoration you put in your home to give it personality.
This might include…
- picture frames
- clocks
- baskets
- seasonal decor
- jars
- vases
- lanterns
- candlesticks
- small objects
- plants
- and more
These are items that you might change up seasonally or often.
I like to change some of my accent decor often so I don’t generally spend much for it.
And accents are a great place to try new trends or a new style in your home.
ITEMS TO SPLURGE ON
Now let’s go over to the other side of the mental list and check out splur decor items…
SOFA
A sofa is one of the biggest pieces of furniture in your home and usually gets the most use.
Make an investment on a sofa! Did you know, the average sofa is only made to last about seven years?
And after years and years of use how much dirt and grime and oh, my goodness who knows what else has been ground into it!
Buy a great sofa. I would suggest a down wrapped foam core sofa. They are my very favorite!!!!!
And I say, go to a brick and mortar store to check them out. Know what you are getting. And make sure your fabric is exactly what you want.
I tend to look for the materials that hold up to a lot of wear and are cleanable. That usually makes sofas more expensive. But I am willing to splurge to get a better sofa for our home.
Now, when I say “splurge” it is within reason.
I cannot afford a sofa that is $6,000.00! But I will pay around $3,000.00 for one.
For me, that is a splurge. And you can get a fabulous sofa in that price range!
MATTRESSES
A great night’s sleep is worth its weight in gold!
We sleep, on an average, 22 years of our lives.
You owe your body a mattress worth sleeping on!
Skimp on your bed, not on your mattress! Most mattresses have a 10 to 20 year guarantee. So make the investment and take good care of yourself and get a night of sweet dreams!
FAUX FLOWERS AND PLANTS
This is my long-time obsession! Very good faux blooms. Don’t poo-poo fakes. Embrace them, but only if they are absolutely real looking! (We are talking about flowers, right?)
Use them in your home, but only if they are fabulous! If you cannot tell if a bloom or plant is real or not when you are within 3 feet then make the investment and buy them.
I look for them at local design and decor shops. And I usually wait until they go on sale. I have been doing this for over a decade and now has a really nice collection.
However online shops like Etsy have very nice faux blooms! Just read the reviews.
These are worth the splurge!
You can see my post on Making Faux Blooms Look Fabulous HERE.
WOW PIECE
Every once in a great while I find something that makes my heart sing! These are usually home decor pieces that I just can’t get off my mind.
Mostly they are small accents rather than legitimate pieces of furniture. Mostly, but not always!
Now, I’m not telling you to splurge often but you will know when something is so right that having it would add to your home and every single time you look at it you go weak in the knees!
My Curlacue chest was one of those pieces I just had to have! And I have loved it like the first day I saw it! SO WORTH THE SPLURGE!
It’s important as a home decorating enthusiast that we hone and curate our homes. And when it is time to spend our money on decor we should know how to spend very wisely. Knowing what to splurge on and what not to will go a long way in helping your create a beautiful home!
Now, what’s on your splurge or not splurge list? I’d love you to share some with me!
This is full of great information that I will pass on to my daughter. I recently bought a sofa from Pottery Barn. I chose a blue fabric that was not trendy but rather neutral (can blue be considered neutral?). I absolutly love this piece and know that I will enjoy it for years to come. Thank you for your words of wisdom!
Blue is such a classic color! Sounds lovely!
Good Morning!
I appreciate all this wonderful advice. Thank you. I was wondering if you have a storage tip for faux blooms.
Vicki
I keep my faux blooms in a tall trash can like the ones many of us have in the kitchen (about 45 quarts). I keep them all upright and then cover them with a piece of cotton sheet.
I love the woven rug under the WOW Piece photo. Can you tell me where it was purchased or where I can find a similar one.? Love your blog and style choices.
Hi Sandy I found it here:https://rstyle.me/+MNbtnCKBrdT7m6QglJAMZw. I don’t think the supplier has many left.
Where can I get fabulous decorative baskets? I live out suggestions and decorative ideas.
Hi Dee, here’s a post about decorating with baskets. It has lots of idea and basket source: https://www.stonegableblog.com/decorating-with-baskets-5-easy-ways/
Your article on do’s and don’ts could not have come at a better time. I too am an empty nester and in the process of purging and redecorating. Thank you for saving me from unwise decisions. Now I will keep my head out of the clouds and feet on the ground. Love your blog.
Thanks for being such a dear reader, Molly!
I love your half moon mirrors! Can you tell me where you bought them or where I might find something similar?
I also love your style and your writing.
Barbara
Hi Barbara, I found the mirror at HomeGoods years ago. Look on Wayfair. Hope this helps.
I like to shop small locally owned shops, AFFORDABLE antique stores and always thrift stores. You can find all sorts of treasures at dirt cheap prices.
Great tip Susie!
I am loving your chest in the great room. Could you please tell me where you purchased it?
Hi Beth, the Curlacue chest is from Hooker Furniture and I found it on Wayfair. It is no longer on Wayfair so you might want to get in touch with Hooker. Sorry I can’t tell you more!
I have the hardest time finding rugs and pillows I like that aren’t $$$! But this is helpful. And nothing is better than a fresh new clean couch!
Look on Wayfair, Target, Walmart, Ruggables etc. They have great pillows and rugs!
Hi Yvonne,
As always, great advice. I’m wondering if you could shared the source of the cocoa colored with ivory crewelwork, pillow cover that you show in this post. Thanks
Hi Jill, I love these pillows and they were so so inexpensive. They are currently out of stock but you can see them HERE…https://amzn.to/334RCan
Love this post. Have you ever heard of Ruggables? I have one in front of my kitchen island and a runner at the kitchen door. They wash beautifully and I just ordered covers for Fall and Winter! Check them out. You might like to feature them on your blog.
Yes, the rug in my dining area is a ruggable. And with 4 grandbabies under 4 this rug is amazing! I can clean up spills and have washed it too! Great idea to feature them.
Great list but I have to disagree on slotting chairs into the “Not”. Inexpensive chairs are uncomfortable. No one wants to sit on a stiff chair. And, there is nothing worse than an uncomfortable dining chair. Sitting through courses on a hard chair takes away from the enjoyment of the meal and the company of good friends.
You are right about uncomfortable chairs but there are so many comfortable chairs that don’t cost lots of money.
I should add a caveat. My guest bedroom chairs are inexpensive chairs, as company spends very little time in their room. I guess expensive is different to each of us.
I love all of your tips! I believe you have mentioned before where your “dotted” curtains were purchased but I can’t remember? They are just perfect in your setting!
They were a splurge! All my other curtains were very reasonable. Find them at Ballard Designs.
Good morning, as I went through your list I stopped at accent chairs. Did I do a oops. My original oops was to paint a fabric chair. After that disaster I looked into reupholstering. Wow those prices really went up. For a queen Ann chair any where from $900-$1500 I went on a hunt and bought a investment chair. This is a family room chair so I guess not considered a accent chair. On the lines of your investment spindle chair. So I did good considering your list.
Regards
Hi Yvonne , I managed to tick off on all of your good advice until the mirrors . I love beautiful mirrors and am in the process of having one made for my dining room . This is my splurge and it has been 6 years since the previous one was made . On the other hand , my previous purchase for my home was a beaten up , small side table that was ready for the tip and a bargain for $25 . A little bit of repair work and paint and I love it .
I have both very expensive and not so expensive mirrors and like them equally as well.
Great advise! Love your blog. You not only have a great sense of style, but you share your knowledge with all your followers. Love your home. Kitchen looks great.
Sharing decorating tips and know-how is my favorite!
I splurged on my dining table because of size. Though I loved the look of the long farmhouse tables shown 4 years ago, they were too wide for my space. So we had our table custom made. The long table makes the space look bigger but the more narrow depth fits my space perfectly.
We also invested in new pieces for the master bedroom. My bedroom set was over 30 years old (rice bed!) and when I listed it on Facebook a family member wanted it so I gave it away with pleasure. Sometimes there is no getting away from a “splurge” but after 50 years worth of a lot of flea market finds I don’t mind!
I agree with all of the items on your lists. Decorating is so much fun and shouldn’t break the bank. Thanks for the advice.
I think one big mistake home decorators make is they do not budget for decor! Things get tired, worn out, need repaired, or we just get tired of them. You are so right about not breaking the bank Barbara!