17 Steps for Maximizing Your Decorating Budget

Our step-by-step budget guide will help you set up and stick to a decorating budget — without blowing it.

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May 08, 2015

By: Leah Hennen

Related To:

Plan for Success

What's the dirtiest word in decorating? That's right: budget.

Whether you have just a few $100 for a room makeover or tens of thousands, you'll need to plan carefully and make tough choices to meet your bottom line. But budgeting isn't all bad news: "Decorating on a budget isn't about being cheap, it's about being smart — making informed decisions and getting the best value for your money," says interior designer Kristan Cunningham.

From: D2 Interieurs

Make a Design Wishlist

Give your imagination free reign. "Initially, at least, pretend that money is no object," says interior designer Angelo Surmelis. Write down everything you'd like to do and buy. Be specific: Rather than just listing "more kitchen storage," think about whether that means adding more cabinets or just a freestanding shelf. Although you're indulging in a bit of fantasy, don't forget to include the practical stuff that needs to be fixed or upgraded. Your fabulous new kitchen won't look so fabulous if you don't address structural issues like cracked plaster walls or uneven flooring.

From: Tobi Fairley

Familiarize Yourself with Price Tags

Before you draft an itemized budget, hit the stores, catalogs and Internet to research how much each item on your wishlist will cost. If it's been a few years since you've decorated — or if this is your first major home project — expect some sticker shock. Couches, for example, can range from a few $100 to $1000+, so price out sofas that meet your style, quality and comfort standards.

Shop Around Before Hiring a Pro

"Determine how much work you'll need to hire out, too," Cunningham says. If you're bringing in skilled trades people to paint, hang wallpaper, run wires for new lights, install flooring and so on, get at least three written estimates for each job before finalizing your budget.

Prioritize Your Purchases

Start itemizing with your decorating wishlist, real costs and total budget in front of you. Maybe that chic wallpaper you've been eyeing will need to be nixed in favor of colorful paint. If you have a whole home to decorate, decide if you need to tackle the project by room or category: furniture first, then window treatments, etc.

From: Tobi Fairley

Don't Forget About Labor Costs

"Chances are, the budget you initially put together is just for the 'stuff,'" Surmelis says. "People forget to put money in the budget for upholstering, framing, painting and custom window treatments." If you're adding tile, don't just factor in the cost of the tile itself — build in extra funds to pay the installer, unless you're confident you can tackle that job yourself. To be safe, include 15 to 25 percent for labor, Surmelis suggests.

Draft Your Decorating Plan

Put your design blueprint on paper. "A plan — a detailed vision of what you want to accomplish with your decorating project — is the best tool you can have," Surmelis says. Break down each element: List the work to be done, the items to be purchased and the amount you plan to spend on each. Using a computer spreadsheet program makes it easy to keep a running tally of what you've budgeted for each item, what you've actually spent and how that affects your bottom line.

Track Your Timeline

To help you stay organized and on track, order each item chronologically and set a timeline for getting it done (or bought, delivered and installed). Learn how to make your own giant chalkboard calendar.

From: HGTV Magazine

Splurge on Important Features

"Spend the big money on the 'wow' items — the things you first notice in a space," says designer Angelo Surmelis. Consider big splurges for the things you'll use every day; are hard to change; hold their value over time; or add value to your home. That could be new flooring, custom kitchen cabinets or other permanent components, well-made furniture or investment art. Don't feel guilty about splurging on the things that will "make" your room — just make sure they're worth what you're spending and will serve you well over time.

From: Tobi Fairley

Scrimp on Cosmetic Changes

Once you've earmarked the bulk of your budget for the big items, divvy up what's left for the extras: linens and other textiles, lighting and decorative accessories — anything that's available at a wide variety of price points and is easy to switch out or upgrade later.

From: D2 Interieurs

Limit Trends to Small Purchases

Instead of buying trendy big-ticket pieces like furniture, "follow trends in accessories," Surmelis says. "They make a big impact and help a room feel up-to-date without a lot of expense." Learn how to give plain pillows a trendy update.

Make Trade-Offs to Stay On-Budget

For instance, if the hardwood floor you chose eats up a bigger chunk of change than you had budgeted, choose a smaller or less expensive area rug so you still hit your overall number. Or, instead of purchasing all-new chairs for your remodeled dining room, hit thrift stores to pick up sturdy-but-mismatched chairs then unify the set with a coat of paint. That's the beauty of having a line-item budget: You can still stay under the overall budget cap if you juggle wisely.

Plan for Unexpected Expenses

Just as you would with a remodeling budget, tuck away 10 to 15 percent of your total for unexpected expenses. If, you've set aside $5,000 to create a bedroom sanctuary, do your best to draft an initial budget that tops out at $4,250. That way, you'll have money in reserve to pay an electrician when it turns out that hanging the bedroom chandelier isn't a DIY project, or when the reading chair you've decided on is discontinued and you're forced to order a pricier alternative.

Avoid Impulse Buys

It's easy to get distracted when you shop, so "carry your list of must-haves and your budget sheet with you to keep you focused," says interior designer Kristan Cunningham. Deviate from the list only if you find something that's an incredible deal (and that you know you can use in the room) or something that you absolutely can't live without — and can use.

Factor In Freight and Delivery Charges

These can be substantial, especially for large items purchased from distant manufacturers. Prices can add up, too, for smaller items bought online or via mail-order. Whenever possible, ask that shipments be combined to cut costs, even if that means waiting on certain items. Ask furniture manufacturers if your shipment can piggyback with other orders destined for your town to save on freight charges.

Budget for DIY Supplies

Are you a rookie do-it-yourselfer? Then don't forget to budget for a few trips to the hardware store. Paint, for instance, is relatively inexpensive, and painting itself isn't terribly difficult — but once you buy the stepladder, rollers, brushes, paint trays, extending poles, painters' tape, tarps and other tools you'll need to do the job right, that pro painter's bid may suddenly look a lot more reasonable.

Phase It In

Unless your budget is unlimited, you may not be able to do everything right away. But don't lose heart — you can spread out the expense by making a long-range plan and implementing your design in phases, as time and money allow. Designers tend to tackle jobs in this order: backgrounds and surfaces (ceilings, walls, floors), buildables (built-in shelving), furniture, fabrics, lighting and accessories. "Don't pressure yourself to do it all at once," Cunningham says. "Take your time to do it right."

From: Anthony Carrino

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Photo By: D2 Interieurs

Photo By: Tobi Fairley

Photo By: Jacob Hand Photography

Photo By: Tobi Fairley

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: Tobi Fairley

Photo By: D2 Interieurs

Photo By: David A. land (Styled by Matthew Gleason)

Photo By: Photography by Tracey Ayton

17 Steps for Maximizing Your Decorating Budget

Related To:

Plan for Success

Make a Design Wishlist

Familiarize Yourself with Price Tags

Shop Around Before Hiring a Pro

Prioritize Your Purchases

Don't Forget About Labor Costs

Draft Your Decorating Plan

Track Your Timeline

Splurge on Important Features

Scrimp on Cosmetic Changes

Limit Trends to Small Purchases

Make Trade-Offs to Stay On-Budget

Plan for Unexpected Expenses

Avoid Impulse Buys

Factor In Freight and Delivery Charges

Budget for DIY Supplies

Phase It In

Shop This Look

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