Where to Spend vs. Save in Home Design

A designer’s honest take on what’s worth the splurge and what isn’t.

When you’re designing a home, whether it’s from the ground up or just refreshing a room, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with decisions. Every detail, from light switches to sofas, suddenly feels like a huge financial choice. And while I fully believe in investing in your space, I also believe in spending wisely.

A striking bathroom vanity featuring a black marble integrated sink with matching backsplash and countertop. The faucet and knobs are matte black with a unique gear-like shape. Above the sink are brass-framed rectangular mirrors and contemporary sconces with black and white cylindrical shades. In the background, a wall of glossy green vertical tiles adds a vibrant pop of color, complemented by a neutral wood slat window shade and a potted floral arrangement to the left. — Photo: Zee Wendell

Over the years, I’ve seen where splurges pay off, and where you can absolutely scale back without losing beauty or functionality. Below, I’m sharing my tried-and-true framework for where to spend and where to save, with honest tips, personal notes, and issues people often overlook.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all list … it’s a designer’s cheat sheet to help you make smarter choices with confidence.

PAINTING

Open-concept living and kitchen space with warm, natural textures and a cozy, layered feel. A soft cream sofa with plush pillows sits in the foreground, facing a wood-paneled vaulted ceiling. The kitchen features a zellige tile hood, marble countertops, and open shelving with brass brackets. A moody vintage landscape painting anchors the dining area, lit by a large black pendant light. Neutral drapery, a checkered armchair, and floral arrangements add charm and softness throughout the space. Natural light pours in through large glass doors, framing a serene view of the outdoors. — Photo: Kayla McKenzie

Spend on the Painter

A great painter is worth every penny. The prep work, clean edges, smooth finish, and durability of a professional job makes a huge difference—and it’s especially noticeable around tricky areas like crown molding, trim, or built-ins.

Clouz Houz Tip: Don’t just ask for the cheapest bid. Ask painters what kind of prep they do. One who sands and primes properly will save you touch-ups later.

Save on the Paint Brand

You don’t need the most expensive paint to get a beautiful finish; application matters more than the label. Some of our favorite painters even prefer to work with mid-range brands because they cover better or dry more evenly. Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select paint is their most popular line for good reason. It’s $35 per gallon, and has excellent coverage and durability. Again, if you are investing in a good painter to help with your project, they will be prepping properly to be sure it adheres and finishes nicely. Ask your painter what they like as well. They are the experts, but in my honest opinion, this line is great and reliable.

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LIVING ROOM STAPLES

Spend on the Sofa

This is the piece you’ll live with daily … literally. It needs to be comfortable, durable, and well-proportioned. You don’t want it sagging or pilling in a year. Sofas take the brunt of everyday life, so invest in one with a solid frame and quality upholstery. Look for details when purchasing your sofa! Pay attention to the workmanship, a hardwood, hand-made frame, nine gauge steel springs to prevent sagging, and performance fabrics that help with wear and tear. Another important detail: we prefer our upholstered furniture to be made in the USA.

Save on the Pillows

Pillows are your playground. You can swap them out seasonally, mix patterns, or refresh your color palette without much effort or cost. Etsy, H&M, or vintage fabrics are your best friends here.

Clouz Houz Tip: Splurge on good inserts (like feather-down), then switch out the covers when you want something new. My favorite hack: remove the inexpensive fills that come in store bought pillows and insert a quality down pillow. Remember to size up your fill to your cover. For instance, if your pillow is 22″ x 22″ then add a 24″ x 24″ down fill!

FURNITURE BALANCING ACT

Stylish home bar setup with built-in light wood cabinetry against a dark vertical shiplap wall. Open shelving displays liquor bottles, cocktail tools, and natural accents like antlers and wood cutting boards. Three terracotta planters with greenery line the top shelf. In front, a round dark wood coffee table with a rustic terracotta vase filled with green hydrangeas is surrounded by four textured cream swivel chairs. The space feels cozy, refined, and perfectly layered with soft lighting and contrast. — Photo: Zee Wendell

Spend on the Coffee Table

A great coffee table anchors the room and sees a lot of use. Whether it’s for setting down drinks, holding books, or doubling as a footrest (guilty), your coffee table should be sturdy and well-sized for the space.

Consider going vintage here! Solid wood, real marble, or aged leather will hold up and age beautifully.

Save on the Side Tables

These are more about styling than function. You can get creative, use stacked books, stools, or even chests. They’re also great spots to introduce fun shapes or materials without committing big money.

PLUMBING & TILE CHOICES

Modern mountain kitchen with vaulted wood ceilings, dark lower cabinetry, and a dramatic green tile backsplash. A white quartz island with integrated sink is lined with leather-strapped barstools, offering a warm contrast to the cool tones. Three oversized glass globe pendants hang overhead, adding a touch of glam. Open wood shelves display ceramics, copper accents, and greenery. The stainless steel hood and matte black sconces tie in modern elements, while the overall palette blends rustic charm with elevated design. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in natural light and forest views. — Photo: Zee Wendell

Spend on the Plumbing

This is one of the biggest places I recommend not cutting corners. Leaky valves, poor water pressure, and faulty fixtures can cause serious damage. Go for solid brass construction, ceramic valves, and reputable brands—especially in kitchens and baths.

Example: A $60 faucet might look great online, but fail after a year. (We’ve learned that the hard way.) Etsy is ideal for finding plumbing, but one thing you MUST do is read all vendor reviews and even reach out to them directly before purchasing to ensure good fixtures and the right parts.

Save on the Tile or Backsplash

You don’t need expensive tile to make a beautiful space. Simple subway tile or zellige-style ceramic can look amazing when paired with the right grout and layout. Plus, smaller tile quantities = lower cost if you want a more premium tile in a focal spot.

Clouz Houz Tip: Spend on the stone countertops if you want a luxe look, then keep the backsplash simple.

DINING SPACES

Cozy dining nook with a custom brown checkered banquette wrapping around a dark wood oval table. The space is styled with vintage bentwood chairs, linen curtains, and a statement black pendant light. A large antique-style landscape painting hangs on the paneled wall, and natural light pours in from black steel-framed windows, highlighting the warm wood ceiling and soft, layered textures. A ceramic vase with magnolia branches and a bowl of fruit bring life to the table, making the space feel lived-in and welcoming. — Photo: Zee Wendell

Spend on a Quality Dining Table

A quality dining table is one of those forever pieces you’ll cherish — a piece that can be passed down in your family if you wish. After all, memories made around the dinner table are priceless! It’s where meals happen, homework gets done, crafts get spread out, and late-night chats unfold. Because it gets so much daily use—and let’s be honest, takes a fair amount of abuse from dropped silverware, scratches, spills, and kid chaos—it’s worth investing in one that’s built to last. I always say if you’re going to splurge somewhere in the dining room, make it the table. You’ll likely keep it for decades, even if your style evolves or you move homes.

Save on the Chairs

Dining chairs tend to get replaced more often—sometimes for style reasons, sometimes because they just wear out faster. And while yes, they get leaned on and scooted in and out, you can absolutely find great-looking, budget-friendly options that do the job well. I’ve seen beautiful vintage sets at flea markets, or even big-box retailer chairs styled up with slipcovers or reupholstered. Chairs add up quickly, especially if your table seats eight. So, find ones you love but that don’t break the bank.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Warm and moody reading nook featuring a rich leather accent chair with curved wooden arms, a plaster fireplace, and custom built-ins with open wood shelving. A soft neutral rug grounds the space, while a travertine coffee table is styled with stacked design books, a textured stone bowl, and a large vase of deep plum hydrangeas. Brass picture lights illuminate leaning coffee table books on the lower shelf, adding charm and function. The space is framed by creamy linen curtains and a dark wood ceiling, creating a cozy, collected feel perfect for slow mornings or evening fires. — Photo: Zee Wendell

Spend on the Drapes or Shades

Window treatments can completely change the vibe of a room. High-quality fabric that’s lined and properly hung makes a space feel finished, intentional, and polished. You can still find reasonable upholstery too. We have used Pepper home in the past, but we personally love working with a custom upholsterer to get exactly what we want.

Clouz Houz Tip: Even simple linen panels look custom if they’re long enough to graze the floor and are hung as high and wide as possible!

Save on the Hardware

Basic black, brass, or wood rods from Amazon or Target look great and do the job just fine. You don’t need designer rods and hardware to support beautiful curtains. Another favorite brand that actually makes the rods to fit your window or door but at a fraction of the price of other vendors is Paso Roble Ironworks. Check them out!

If you’re interested, we have a whole blog post sharing “A High End Window Covering Hack You Must Try”!

LIGHTING LAYERS

Sculptural freestanding soaking tub in a moody black finish, set against a backdrop of honed marble walls and mosaic tile floors. A plush taupe sheepskin rug adds warmth and softness underfoot, while a modern chandelier with cascading ceramic rods brings a touch of artful elegance above. Natural light pours through black-framed windows, casting soft shadows and enhancing the serene, spa-like feel of this minimalist primary bathroom. A black pedestal side table holds neatly rolled towels and a candle, completing the moment of calm luxury. — Photo: Zee Wendell

Spend on Decorative Fixtures

Your lighting should make a statement. Pendants over a kitchen island, a chandelier in the dining room, or sconces in the bathroom—all of these add personality and warmth. They’re like the jewelry of the room.

Save on Recessed Lighting

You don’t need a grid of cans in every room. Too much recessed lighting feels harsh. I call it the Swiss cheese ceiling! Let’s avoid that, shall we?!? 😂 A few strategically placed recessed lights combined with ambient lighting (like lamps) can do the job better and make the space feel cozier. Use dimmers wherever possible. Lighting should shift with the mood.

MATERIALS & INSTALLATION

Spend on the Installer

Even the best materials can look bad if they’re installed poorly. This applies to tile, countertops, flooring … you name it. Choose someone skilled, experienced and licensed. Ask to see his/her previous work before hiring, along with referrals you can speak with ab out the work.

Save on the Material

There are so many beautiful, affordable options now! Whether it’s porcelain that looks like marble, engineered wood, or quartz countertops—you can get the look for less, as long as it’s installed correctly. Focus on getting the look and feel you want, not the brand name. And again, if you are designing your kitchen, still spend a little more on your materials since it’s one of the most used rooms in your house, rather than a guest bathroom that only gets used every so often — you can save even more there.

LAYERS & FOUNDATIONS

Cozy living room with rich textures and earthy tones. Two deep green velvet sofas face each other in front of a stone fireplace with a black metal surround and a sculptural horned skull mounted above. A built-in wood storage nook beneath the firebox adds rustic charm. Behind the seating area, natural oak built-ins are styled with ceramics, books, and collected objects. A sculptural stone table lamp rests on a chunky wood pedestal side table, paired with a dark tufted ottoman and nesting tables. A soft plaid throw drapes over the back of the sofa, completing this layered and grounded space — Photo: Zee Wendell

Spend on the Rug

A rug anchors the room, softens acoustics, and defines layout. Go for something wool or vintage if you can. It’ll hold up better, resist stains, and just age more gracefully. If you’re spending on just one rug, let it be the one in your living or dining room where it’ll be most seen and used.

Save on the Flooring

If you’re on a tight budget, focus on making the flooring clean and neutral. You can always layer a great rug over it. Even laminate or LVP can look great with the right styling. It’s okay to choose something simple underfoot if you’re investing in layers above it.

SCALE & DESIGN VALUE

Charming attic room with sloped ceilings, painted white tongue-and-groove paneling, and skylights that flood the space with natural light. A long, white slipcovered sofa sits on a woven jute rug, accented with soft blue pillows and a brass mushroom lamp. A white round pedestal table is surrounded by four floral-upholstered dining chairs with wooden legs. In the back, a console with cane-front doors is topped with blue-and-white ginger jars and a mirror. Soft wallpaper with a subtle botanical motif adds warmth and texture throughout the room, creating a cozy, elevated retreat. — Photo: Zee Wendell

Spend on the Finishes

The finishes are what make a home feel elevated. Not the square footage, not the floor plan—but the tactile, everyday details. Think: the solid feel of a wood door, the warmth of aged brass hardware, the subtle profile of thick baseboards catching light. These are the moments that quietly tell your home’s story — and quite honestly, make it feel more custom and special.

You don’t need to go big everywhere. Even something as simple as upgrading light switch plates, adding real trim, or mixing metals with intention can completely change the feel of a space.

I’ve walked into big new builds that felt cold and flat, and smaller homes that felt rich and layered. It wasn’t about size. It was about soul and these subtle differences between your standard grade door trim compared to something unique is what gives it that.

Save on the Square Footage

Bigger doesn’t always mean better. A well-designed small space can feel more luxurious than a large one filled with shortcuts. When square footage is tight, you’re more thoughtful. You edit. You prioritize. That’s when the magic happens! And the beauty that lies with smaller, well designed homes is that you can splurge more on materials because you don’t have as much square footage which can quickly add up.

If your budget is tight, scale back on space and invest in the materials, craftsmanship, and layout. These are the things that shape how your home feels, not just how big it looks on paper.

My opinion: It’s not about how much space you have. It’s about what you do with it.

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Every home has a budget. The key is knowing how to use yours wisely—and that doesn’t mean always choosing the cheapest or most expensive option. It means choosing the right moments to lean in, and the right places to pull back.

Design is a series of thoughtful choices. I hope this helps you make yours with more clarity, confidence, and intention.

Check out our Instagram where we will be sharing some of our favorite brands worth spending on, and some that are great for saving!

Need a little more direction?

Are you struggling to define your style or figure out how to pull your space together? That’s exactly why we created our Clouz Houz Design Guides. They’ll help you design a space that feels cohesive, elevated, and personal … without hiring a designer.

Click here to explore the five curated styles, complete with inspiration boards, designer tips, and product links that make sourcing simple.

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Life is short. Make it beautiful!