Splurge vs. Save

Oct 28

Living

Where to invest in a room, and where a well-chosen budget piece is just as good.

Family room with pale blue sofas, patterned armchairs, an upholstered ottoman and a wood bookcase — Signature SpacesCustom sofas and chairs in a family room built to be used every day.

Every budget has to be spent somewhere. After years of helping clients decide, we know where quality pays off and where a less expensive piece does the job beautifully.

01Splurge: what you touch every day

Sofas, dining chairs and mattresses get used daily. A good frame, quality cushions and durable fabric change how they feel and how long they last. Invest here first.

02Splurge: built-ins

Built-ins become part of the house. They solve storage and give a room architecture no piece of furniture can. Paint them a color you love, or let the wood show.

Blue-green built-in bookcase that opens as a hidden door — Clover Lane & Glenwick LaneA blue-green bookcase that doubles as a hidden door; curved oak built-ins in a family room.

Oak built-in shelving and cabinets with a curved end beside a blush sofa — Clover Lane & Glenwick LaneA blue-green bookcase that doubles as a hidden door; curved oak built-ins in a family room.

03Splurge: lighting

Nothing changes how a room feels at night more than lighting. A beautiful fixture is jewelry for the room, and you look at it every day.

Bedroom with an oak canopy bed and a sculptural glass globe chandelier — Melshire DriveA sculptural glass chandelier over an oak canopy bed.

04Save: accessories and occasional pieces

Stools, side tables, baskets and throws are where budget finds shine. A fun pair of stools can sit right next to an heirloom, and vintage adds character for less.

05Save: anything trendy

Try a color or shape of the moment in a pillow, an ottoman or an accent chair, not the sofa. It is easy to change when your taste moves on.

Pink raffia console with leopard print stools, a pleated lamp and a mirror — Walnut Creek & Morton StreetLeopard stools under a raffia console; a woven leather ottoman and a wall of framed sports memorabilia.

Family room with a gray sectional, woven leather ottoman and framed sports prints — Walnut Creek & Morton StreetLeopard stools under a raffia console; a woven leather ottoman and a wall of framed sports memorabilia.

Our quick guide

Splurge: sofas, mattresses, built-ins, lighting, original art.
Save: side tables, stools, accessories, throws, trend colors.
It depends: rugs. Invest in busy rooms and save in guest rooms.

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