When to splurge and when to save at home
Helpful tips from Moniker Design Studio
Designing your home, office, or commercial space can add up quickly, and can cause delays in getting the beautiful renovation you had once hoped for. It’s a continual practice of give and take when it comes to spending money on your remodel. We’re here to break down what is worth the splurge and what you can easily save on.
Where to splurge: Anything getting heavy use or a product that serves a daily function:
Flooring: Both comfort and durability are factors here so it’s not an area we’d recommend trying to save on, especially since it’s a piece that runs throughout the entire space and literally gets walked all over every day. Cheap floors can look bad very quickly, plus you want to ensure easy cleanability.
Windows: dual-pane, high-efficiency glass is going to help with outside sound and insulation. This means lower costs for heating and cooling your home or office.
Appliances: High efficiency appliances are recommended whenever possible so that you're not wasting money on water or electricity. Look for the Energy Star sticker when shopping. Similarly, your appliances' job is to function properly. Don’t skip out on registering for their warranty program.
Side note: an induction stove top transfers 90% of heat compared to a gas cooktop which only transfers 40%.
Furniture: Whether you're moving often or you're in your forever home, you want your stuff to last. Bedroom furniture can go with you from place to place, so get something that's going to last through the moves. If you’ve ever paid $100 for a dresser, I’m sure you’ve dealt with the drawers falling apart. Do yourself a favor and invest in one that will stand the test of time.
Side note: Living room furniture (sofas, coffee table, dining furniture) may not fit from one place to the next, so I would wait to splurge on these if you move often.
Save: Decorative elements or pieces that you are quick to tire of and easy to switch out:
Decor: Thrift stores, estate sales, and Home Goods are great places to shop for budget friendly home decor. You don't need to blow your budget on $200 pillows when you can find some for $30.
Landscaping: Native and locally adapted species are going to be your best friend here. Also, think xeriscaping (dry landscaping) like dirt, rocks, cacti. These elements are more cost effective, saving you money, but still offering a beautiful aesthetic.
Tile: We love a decorative tile, but let’s be honest, the labor alone to install tile can be expensive, so use caution when selecting a trendy tile you might get tired of in a few years. With finishes like tile, we like to recommend classic profiles that won’t age. This might mean white glossy subway tile for you, or a black penny tile. Luckily, solid 3x6, 6x6 or penny tile is often stocked and can be found at a low price point, like $4/sf. With a lot of square feet to cover, you’re going to thank us for recommending this as a save item.
Hardware: There is no shortage of hardware options out there, but if you're looking to cut costs, this is a good spot. You can find attractive hardware off of Amazon, IKEA, or online that can easily be installed by you, further saving you money.
Paint: If you're constantly scuffing your walls or using tape to hang things up, then maybe opt for a higher quality paint. Otherwise, you can get away with budget brands to liven up your wall.
Side note: this rule does not apply to special walls like Roman clay or lime wash - you'll want good quality for that.
The key is quality, durability, and efficiency. Anything that you can install yourself is a great place to place in the save category. If it needs replacing in a few years, you can replace in yourself. Quality is important for those items you need professionally installed because the replacement of it will add labor costs to it as well.
Lastly, save on anything decorative. Trends come and go and updating the decorative stuff when the time comes is going to make it feel like a huge facelift.