Splurge: Give Into Artistic Inspiration "In this San Clemente living room, we splurged on an art gallery wall, and it created such a big difference. This space had tall ceilings, so the artwork helped bridge the gap between the height of the ceiling and the furnishings. It makes a daring and interesting statement as soon as you walk into the room," says designer Wendy Blackband.
Save : Alternatives to Pricey Rugs "Designing a living room can be stressful because it's normally a bigger space where we spend a lot of time. Between the furnishings, art, drapery and lighting, costs can add up quickly, and I have found a secure place to save is through the selection of budget-friendly natural fiber rugs. Offered in a variety of colours and weaves, they serve up a lasting, textural backdrop that suits every style style. I love you could allow a natural fiber carpet to lie or you may coating smaller hides and luxury rugs on top," says designer Marie Flanigan.
Splurge: Boost Window Style With Fabric Designer Marie Flanigan states, "The windows of a home frame our view of the outside world and control the amount of natural light that streams in during the day, making them an exceptionally important element in any style. When I have the chance to splurge into a living space, I really like adorning the chimney with luxury treatments. Drapery does not have to be thick or elaborate to generate an effect, but using high quality cloth, including a distinctive trim and scrutinizing the length to fit your house's windows will immediately elevate your living room from good to great."
Save : Get Thrifty With Pillows The trick to perfect cushions are fine fabrics and down inserts. Designer Shannon Wilkins suggest sourcing classic fabrics from flea markets or coconut then finding an upholstery shop to sew covers for you. (if you're able to sew yourself, even cheaper!) Then, visit Ikea that sells down great inserts for a minimal price.
Splurge: Statement-Making Vases and Novels Coffee table books and handmade ceramic vases are designer Shannon Wilkins' preferred splurges since they help enrich your furniture pieces. "I love having a basic vase that looks great vacant, but I will pop some greens out of the market in from time to time."
Save Opt for a Basic Coffee Table Streamlined coffee tables, such as this elegant option from CB2, fit right into a multitude of styles without breaking the bank. Designer Regan Baker looks for good coffee tables at low cost points to remain in budget.
Splurge: Pin on Cabinets Area rugs can either be a splurge or even a rescue, but designer Regan Baker claims to make an investment, "Rugs are just like a bit of artwork and actually set the tone for the remainder of the room."
Save Shop Smart for Finishing Touches If your living room features built-ins, the price of filling it with attachments can accumulate quickly. Designer Claire Paquin suggests saving money by heading to HomeGoods, West Elm, Crate and Barrel and Current Home. "These shops have everything out of vases, objets d'art, decorative books and art at inexpensive price points. Another area to save is by simply buying faux flowers. Flower arrangements can be quite expensive and only last for a couple of days. NDI has a huge range of blossoms that are reasonably priced and will last a lifetime. Nobody will ever believe they are not real," says Paquin.
Splurge: Bring Luxury to Your Windows Bring texture, pattern and color to your living room with eye catching window treatments. Splurge on luxurious fabrics, indicates designer Claire Paquin, since the window treatments will make the largest visual effect. "When selecting a cloth for window treatments, we recommend going outside your comfort zone and choosing a vibrant, vibrant cloth. Living rooms are frequently the spaces where you and your family spend most of your time, so you want the fabric to be fresh and reflect your character."
Save Add Budget-Savvy Style Underfoot Designer Sarah Wittenbraker implies cutting the carpet budget especially if the living room has lots of foot traffic from kids, guests or pets. "A flat-weave rug with a plush rug pad or even a natural fiber carpet, such as sisal or seagrass, will give a polished look for less money."
Splurge Fabric That Stands Out "To Boost a living space, I recommend investing in scene-stealing accent cloth. Placing a chunk of their budget into habit pillows and drapery will notch-up the chic, unique look of the area," says designer Sarah Wittenbraker.
Save Budget-Friendly Flooring "I have a tendency to think that spending lots of money on items that get beat up quickly isn't a great plan for a joyful and worry-free life. When dealing with a particular budget the first place I hold back is your carpet. There are all those available well-priced options through large stores that it will not make sense to splurge on rugs when seeking to spend less," says designer Susana Simonpietri.
Splurge: Move Big on Smaller Elements With retailers like Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware offering reasonably priced couches, designer Susana Simonpietri believes your money is better spent on accents that place the room apart, like a great sculptural coffee table or a wonderful fabric to use as pillows. Smaller accents also allow for more flexibility, and allow a space evolve with you over time.
Save Keep Price Down Without Sacrificing Style "Every little piece doesn't need to be museum quality. While I always encourage my clients to put money into good upholstery, occasional bits such as side tables, lamps and accessories may frequently be found at flea markets and consignment stores," says designer Mark Williams.
Splurge: Opt for Wow-Worthy Art Nothing says high style more than a monumental pieces of art, which is just one of designer Mark Williams' top splurges for living rooms. Not only does this become a gorgeous focal point, but in addition, it brings the homeowner's personality into the space.
Save : Embrace Your Inner Bibliophile Designer Ashley Clark saves when completing her living rooms by buying used books, since they are an affordable way to fill bookshelves and make height on the coffee table.
Splurge: Maximize With Sudden A splurge doesn't always have to be a huge element in the room. Designer Ashley Clark enjoys mixing price points on pillows. "Pillows are my weakness, and it's easy to get carried away buying them. They do not have to be classic or high end, so I pick one or two which are worthy then build the rest around them."
Save : Scrimp on End Tables Designer Ryan Brown looks for inexpensive end tables to round out his living space layouts and maintain within budget. Spend more when locating the coffee table, as it's the focal point of a seating arrangement.
Splurge: Ground Your Space Luxury A rug sets the tone of the room, regardless of the style, says designer Ryan Brown. "Hand weaving is a beautiful artwork you will pay more for initially; but a quality rug can endure for centuries"
