Furniture & Decor: What You Should Splurge On & What To Save On

There’s always one question that constantly comes up. I hear it from clients, on social media, and from my friends and family. And that’s what to save on and what to splurge on when it comes to furniture and decor.

We already know that cheap furniture may be affordable, but it probably isn’t made of high-quality materials or built to last. Ultimately, meaning that you probably need to replace it sooner rather than later.

But it begs the question… does that mean you should avoid all inexpensive furniture and decor? Let’s get into it and break down what furniture & decor pieces you should invest or splurge on, and which ones you should save your money on.

Furniture & Decor: What To Splurge on

This one is easy… splurge on items that you use every single day. In general, you want to splurge on items like your sofa, armchairs, mattress, bedding, and wherever you eat meals- that could be a dining table and chairs, or barstools/counter stools.

Since you’ll be using these items practically every single day, you want to make sure that they will hold up and last. There’s nothing worse than having to replace something every couple of years.

Most inexpensive upholstered furniture will wear down after a couple of years, so DO splurge on upholstered furniture like sofas and chairs. I also need to mention that these items are the biggest, bulkiest items in your home, so having to replace them every couple of years or so is going to be a pain.

When shopping for these items, you want to look at how it’s made, the materials used, how easy it is to clean, and how comfortable it is.

Also, consider splurging on unique lighting fixtures & vintage or antique pieces that are one of a kind. Lights are like the jewelry of our home, they make everything shine and sparkle. So, just as you would with some good jewelry, splurge on lighting when you can. Many light fixtures on the market today look so similar to one another. It’s not until you get to the high-end lighting that you find some pieces that actually look unique.

Furniture & Decor: What To Save On

The best place to save when buying furniture and decor is on the smaller, decorative items like mirrors, art, side tables, wall art, vases, lamps, decorative bowls, books, etc. Most of these pieces won’t be used as much as your sofa will, so saving a little money on these items is totally ok. However, it doesn’t mean that you can skip looking at how it’s made and the material of it, you’ll need to take an even closer look. Why? Because some things that don’t cost a lot of money….well…. look like it. They just look plain ol’ cheap, to be blunt about it. So when shopping for inexpensive items, make sure you take your time and really look at them before buying them.

It’s also worth mentioning that depending on the type of person you are, you could also consider DIYing some things to save even more money. I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but there are some DIY’s I’ve seen that look incredible. I’m not saying DIY your entire house… I’m saying if you DIY a few pieces here and there, no one will ever know. It’s all about the mix of high and low.

Other considerations:

Thrifting & DIYing

With a little patience, you can find some designer and antique furniture for a fraction of the retail price on Facebook Marketplace & Craigslist. This takes patience and a good eye, but it can pay off.

Dupes & Knockoffs

Since we’re talking about splurging and saving, I have to take a second and talk more about dupes. I’m a huge advocate for saving money wherever you can. So if that means buying a piece of furniture that looks exactly the same as one that’s double the cost, I’m all about it. However, this doesn’t necessarily go for every piece of furniture, especially knock-offs of designer and vintage pieces.

Investing in Artwork or Furniture

Sometimes buying the real thing instead of the dupe can actually make you money in the end. Splurging on the right piece of art or furniture can be a good way to diversify your portfolio and potentially earn a return on your investment. Just like a vintage Rolex.

It’s important to note that investing in artwork can also be risky, and there are some factors to consider before making a decision. It’s important to approach art investment with caution and seek the advice of professionals before making any significant purchases.

One of the primary factors to consider when investing in artwork is the reputation and track record of the artist. Artists with established reputations and a history of high sales prices may be more likely to continue to appreciate in value over time. Additionally, the rarity and provenance of the artwork can also affect its value.

Another important consideration is the condition of the artwork. Artwork that is in good condition and well-maintained is more likely to hold its value and appreciate over time. On the flip side, artwork that is damaged or poorly cared for may decrease in value or become unsellable.

So, what do you think? Are these items similar to what you would splurge or save on? Let me know in the comments.

Ultimately, the decision to purchase cheap furniture depends on your personal circumstances and priorities. You should consider your budget, needs, and preferences, and weigh the pros and cons of different options before making a purchase.

Until next time,

Cheers!

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