We've all seen the designer collections for the big box stores and probably wondered "if this is available here, then why pay the high prices for this designer elsewhere?" Or, why pay thousands of dollars for a sofa when I could get one for $700? There are places to surge and places to definitely save your money.
Accessories: Target is famous for having designers come in and create collections for them. Just recently they released a sneak peak of a new line by Nate Berkus that Design Studio 2010 loves. Frames, candles, pillows, lamps: these are great places to save some cash, and you won't be feeling guilty in 15 months when you are ready for a change.
Casegoods: Tables, dressers, bookshelves, wooden chairs, all great places to save, if you know what to look for. There is no reason to spend your paycheck on a dresser for a guest room or a entry console that you'll hardly use, but always check for quality. If you see a dresser for $200, is it made of real wood or particle board? What kind of hardware does it use? Slides for drawers? If it is a dresser/nightstand that will be regularly used, spend a little more to get drawers and hinges that are easy to use. What does the finish actually look like? If you see an inexpensive "silver-leaf" table, chances are it will also look inexpensive. A few trendy finishes to be wary of knock-off are silver/gold leaf, lacquer, and zinc. Zinc is really hot right now, so if you love this look be prepared to spend some cash to avoid getting a piece you'll be unhappy with in a few weeks.
Upholstery: Sofas and chairs are a place to invest some time and money into, because they will be used so often. If you're planning staying in your home, maybe buy a comfy sectional or a piece that is more specific to the size of space. However, if you are planning on moving homes within the next couple of years, look for a standard size sofa, rather than a sectional or oversized sofa. There is no guarantee your new home will accommodate the configuration of section or size of the sofa you buy, so play things safely. Look for a neutral heavy weight upholstery that still feels soft to the touch, that way, hopefully, no matter where you move your sofa will work. You can always switch up accent pillows to go with your new decor.
Bedding: Spend a little. Don't go out and buy 1000+ thread count sheets, but don't skimp and buy the 100 thread count sheets either. Find a happy medium. Sheets and duvets are items to spend a little more on. But accent pillows and throw blankets, ie. things that will end up on the floor or in a side chair every night, great areas to save.
Kid's Areas: Be smart about it. Beds, dressers, nightstands, things they will be able to grow with, invest in some good pieces. But bedding, chairs, and blankets they will grow out of in a few years (if your'e lucky). Save your money, and get your kid's new accessories as they grow up.
Finishes: at this house in West Lake Hills, we refinished existing cabinets and floors to be able to concentrate the majority of the budget on furnishings, window coverings, lighting, and accessories. See the full project photos here.
At Design Studio 2010 we love mixing and matching price points, and we honestly love help our clients save money where we can.
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