Embrace Your Budget On New Projects

Budget – it’s the first thing that comes to mind when taking on a new design project. If you’re one of those people who can save for a long time before even starting a project, accumulating an even larger budget, kudos to you! For me, I get so excited to begin a new design that I cannot fathom waiting another day to start – often resulting in a much lower budget. Whichever type you are, I’m here to tell you that gorgeous, luxurious spaces don’t always have to have enormous budgets.

Allow Yourself to Splurge
Keeping your budget in mind, pick maybe one or two pieces to ‘splurge’ on. Go to your favorite furniture store and get the piece that stands out to you. Maybe it’s a pricey light fixture that makes the statement for the room. Or, perhaps that stunning wallpaper you’ve had your eye on is going to eat a good portion of your budget. These are your starting pieces and as long as you understand that you cannot ‘splurge’ on everything that goes into the space, you’ll have no problem sticking to your budget.

Dig For the Deal
Once you have your statement pieces picked out, don’t be afraid to look for a discount, or visit a thrift store. You may have to dig a little deeper than you’re used to, but you’ll be surprised what hidden gems you might come across! Some of your favorite stores, like Darvin Furniture, have Clearance Centers and Warehouse Sales. This is the best of both worlds, because you know you’ll love the style and you’re getting it at a much lower price than you’re used to.

Add Some Elbow Grease
Now you’re at the stage where you still need some big items to complete the room, but your budget is dwindling. This is where you need to use your imagination and a little elbow grease. Think about the nightstand you’ve been storing in your basement that doesn’t match your style anymore – and make it over! Paint it a color that compliments the rest of the space or change out the hardware to give it a good update. You really loved the shape of a chair you came across at the thrift store but it was in poor condition – reupholster it! In doing this, not only do you save money, but now you have a one-of-a-kind piece that you’ll be proud of!

Mix Textures
Once you get to the finishing stages, you’re almost to the end of your budget and you’re looking for things to tie everything together without it looking cheap. My favorite way to do this is to mix textures to make it feel luxurious without the high costs. Pair a really simple throw pillow with a plush throw blanket. Or put a big plant, real or faux, in a beautifully woven basket, or simply stack a few books on a shelf that you had lying around the house.