It can be difficult to not allow yourself you get carried away with all the shiny lovely furniture available when designing your space! So, we always recommend deciding on a budget and sticking to it! Read this article to learn where you can save those precious pennies to then put towards those key investment pieces.
Need help sticking to a budget? Our designers provide interactive shopping lists with alternatives to choose from at different budget levels, so you have the power to choose where to save and where to splurge!
Book a free consultation to discuss your projects with one of our experts:
Where to splurge
Sofa
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room and Da Silva Designs
As a general rule, if you sit on it, splurge on it!
Because let’s face it, sofas are one the most well-used furniture items in our homes. Whether it’s lounging across it on movie night, curling up with a book or grabbing a cheeky midday nap – a stiff or lumpy sofa just won’t do!
It’s also one of the largest items of furniture in a room and so if you skimp on one that’s the wrong colour or style, you’ll have one very large reminder.
if you’re worried about choosing the wrong sofa then take a look at our sofa buying guide! It will guide you through choosing the right style and size for you while also making sure it’s mega comfy.
Beds
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
See how the ‘sit on it, splurge on it’ rule continues to work wonders!?
Getting the bed wrong can be a major error and one you could lose sleep over (not sorry). Comfort is the priority here, but also opt for a timeless style rather than leaning into the latest trend that could pass quickly.
Fabric beds can look lovely but if you choose a bold colour then you’re locked into a colour scheme. If you think you might like to mix up your design later, opt for a neutral colour fabric instead or steer clear with a wood or metal style instead.
Our designers can choose pieces that fit into your budget. Book a design today from £395:
Children’s bedroom furniture
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
Children’s bedroom furniture is another place where investing upfront can pay off in the long run. Steer clear of themed furniture like car beds that your child could grow out of quickly and invest in solid, neutral furniture that can grow with them and adapt to the latest craze!
Give them other spaces to add in their personalities like picture ledges, wall stickers and pinboards.
Rugs
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
I would go as far as saying that a rug is a must-have! They pull together a whole scheme, add warmth, help create zones within open plan spaces AND help with soundproofing.
But before you rush out and buy the first rug you see, make sure you invest in a quality rug that won’t wear and fall apart instantly. After all, you’ll be walking all over it every day and so it needs to be hard waring!
Cheaper rugs tend to use lower-quality dyes which means they might also discolour over time, especially if they’re in direct sunlight.
Did you know we work with budgets of any size? We can help you achieve your dream space and help you avoid expensive mistakes too! Start your design brief today:
Window treatments
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
Many of the more affordable options are cheaper because they use thin fabric which might help with privacy, but won’t stop the light coming through in the morning. Invest in proper black-out curtains for a great night’s sleep.
Similarly, blinds need to be carefully considered. Make sure they are made to measure and fit perfectly within your window frame. There are many nifty options out there that look invisible when open, perfect for when you don’t want anything obstructing your beautiful glazing!
Where to save
Artwork
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
Artwork will instantly transform a room and bring the whole design together. Important as it is though, it doesn’t need to cost the earth. Yes, it would be wonderful to wow your guests with an original by ‘so and so’ but when tackling a whole space, you need to prioritise and focus your budget where it really matters.
Add instant colour to your walls by having your own photography or family photos printed and framed. This will not only save you money but make your home truly unique and personal.
A great little hack is to use leftover paint samples to paint the frame mount which will make it look 10x more expensive!
You could even skip the frame entirely and go straight to the walls! Get creative with colour blocking across your walls and ceiling or create a painted arch behind your bed:
Want some 1 to 1 advice on where you should spend and save? Book a free call with one of our experts:
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
Another idea is to turn your everyday items into a work of art like this hat rack come gallery wall!
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
Want to make your hallway more inviting? Book your design today from £395:
Lighting
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
A controversial one perhaps! Lighting traditionally would have sat within the ‘splurge’ category but nowadays there are so many affordable lighting brands that also have their finger on the pulse when it comes to style.
One of our favourites is houseof. (We met with Helen from houseof last year to get her lighting tips and to hear about the latest lighting trends which you can watch here.)
Plug-in wall lights are also now widely available in a range of styles meaning you can save pennies by not hiring an electrician.
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
Many brands have also upped their lamp shade game which is a much more affordable option and a great option for renters. Have a little browse of John Lewis’ options to get inspired.
Want to discuss your interior design plans with a professional? Book a free call today:
Soft furnishings
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
If you’re someone that changes their décor as often as they change their clothes (designer’s I’m looking at you!!) then consider first swapping over your cushion covers for an affordable room refresh.
Stick to cushions in the same size so you can simply swap over the covers, saving you even more on not buying the ‘inners’.
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
Struggling to design your living room? Book a room design from £495 today!
Storage
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
Storage is a pretty big deal – it hides away all clutter and keeps our rooms looking fabulous!
But it doesn’t always have to cost the earth. In fact, we’ve written a whole article with 34….yes 34 Ikea storage hacks for you to try at home.
If a pilgrimage to Ikea isn’t your idea of a dream Saturday afternoon, then why not upcycle an old piece of storage? Our friends at Plank (who make beautiful handles) have written us a guide on how to upcycle your old furniture.
For awkward spaces though, we’d always recommend investing in bespoke fitted furniture to get the maximum amount of useable storage space.
Trend led pieces
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room and Da Silva Designs
Homeware trends come and go. Just like with fashion trends – we’ve all had a ‘what was I thinking?’ moment!
Rather than spend a small fortune on a key furniture piece like your bed or sofa in the latest trend, keep these items timeless and then have fun injecting the latest trend into your scheme through smaller items like side tables or occasional chairs.
Brands like Made, Kave and H&M Home have been hugely successful by keeping ahead of the trends but keeping prices low so that everyone can afford to embrace the latest design trends in their homes.
Looking for the perfect finishing touches that make your house feel like a home? We can help, talk to a professional today:
Plants
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room and Da Silva Designs
Plants are a great way to save money as they tick so many boxes making them great value for money!
They add a pop of colour to a neutral scheme, they fill empty spaces without making a room look cluttered, they help with zoning by softly sectioning off an area….oh and they come with heaps of health benefits too!
To save money, get a little green-fingered and grow your own. It might not give you the instant height you were hoping for, but it will save you money that can be put elsewhere.
Have a read of our complete indoor planting guide for more ideas.
