SPEND: RUGS
Rugs were one of the pieces designers were unanimous in recommending as splurge-worthy. ‘Rugs are an essential layer to grounding a room’s overall aesthetic,’ says Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors, based in the Bay Area Peninsula. ‘They add color, texture, and pattern, and are used to tie different design elements of a room together. I also believe deeply in investing in a living room rug that is going to last.
SPEND: SOFAS AND CHAIRS
As the centerpiece of your room – and likely the object that endures the most wear and tear – investing in one of the best sofas is a smart decision. One tip from Ashley Macuga is to look for eight-way hand-tied construction – a process that ensures the springs won’t shift over time. ‘The goal is to invest in construction that evenly distributes weight evenly and reduces the sagging that can come with frames not produced with care,’ she says.
SAVE: THROW PILLOWS (AND OTHER SMALL DECOR)
Happily, the smaller decor pieces you use to add personality to your space are the perfect place to make savings – meaning you can (sensibly) tap into trends you like as they come to the surface. ‘Styling is an absolutely essential part of pulling a final room together, but this is also a place where we will pull back on investments in order to deliver on a budget,’ says Ashley Macuga.
SPEND: WALL TREATMENTS
Particularly for wallcoverings, but also for paint, your walls finishes are not the place to cut costs. Paying a little more for a premium paint brand with a highly-pigmented product, or a textured living room wallpaper that instantly adds warmth, can take your space to the next level.
SPEND: WINDOW TREATMENTS
Another place it’s often wise to budget some money for is window treatments – in most part because custom drapery can deliver results that many off-the-shelf versions simply can’t. ‘Custom drapery is equivalent to a well tailored dress but for your home,’ says Lisa Gilmore. ‘They add visual volume to your space and add such an amazing layer to your home.’
SAVE: SIDE TABLES
Designers were somewhat split over how much budget to allocate to living room furniture that’s not the sofa. The general consensus is that for side or accent tables, you can generally get away with reigning back on the spending because, as Kathryn Murphy says, ‘they generally see less regular wear and tear.’ Many high street options offer the sculptural shapes and soothing curves we’re coveting right now, so you can achieve a high-end look on a budget.
SPEND: ART
With so many incredible artists out there – as well as plenty of treasures in antique stores – investing a little in some of your favorites will only improve your living room, as it will be filled with pieces you love. ‘Investing in art for me means searching for pieces I want to see over and over – investing time as much as money,’ says Kathryn Murphy.
SPEND OR SAVE: LIGHTING
Designers were split over whether living room lighting is a good investment, or a way to cut back a little to make way for premium pieces elsewhere. It’s certainly true that the things you touch everyday, like light switches, deserve a little more money – they’ll be more hardwearing, and look (and feel) far more premium. But the light fittings themselves are up for debate.