Furnishing Resource Guide

Whether you are renovating, moving into a new home, or just want to update your current space, buying furnishings can be tough. How do you decide what is worth the splurge and where you can save? My focus is to help people renovate and design on a budget, so if that is your goal you are in the right place. These are the guidelines I follow when it comes to home furnishings.

Why Quality Matters

Before I get into specific products, let’s review how it will actually save you money to splurge. Yes, you heard that right. When I first moved out on my own, I was focused on the cost of furnishing. Give me whatever looked trendy at the cheapest price. I soon realized 1.) you get what you pay for and 2.) quality over quantity. I ended up with furniture that would fall apart when moved, and an overload of decorative objects to the point where one friend told me my house was very “knick-knacky,” which obviously stuck with me.

So here’s the thing. It’s ok to buy cheap. The key is knowing what to buy cheap, and what to buy quality. Typically, quality is equated with expensive. But it’s doesn’t have to be. The secondhand market is bigger than ever these days and you can find brand name items from Facebook marketplace, consignment stores, thrift stores and at garage sales. It may take some time and patience to wait for the right thing to pop up, but it is worth it when you get a quality item for a fraction of what it costs new.

Furnishings to Buy Quality

As a rule of thumb, I look for quality in items that get more wear and tear, are in high traffic visible areas, or will add value to the house. These include:

• Dining Tables. A solid well-made table can be pricy, but if there is an earthquake I know that is what I’ll be ducking under. (I grew up near San Francisco, so yes, that’s the first thing I think of.) Dining tables aren’t overly trendy items, so chances are this is something you will keep for a long time so you will benefit from something solid & well made.
• Sofa/Sectional. As something that is front and center in your home, you don’t want it to snag, sag, tear or pill after a few years.
• Dressers. Trust me, it’s really annoying to watch the laminate start to peel off, or have the drawers fall off the track daily because you went with a cheap product. When you are opening drawers 4+ times a day you want something that will last.
• Living Room Rugs. Typically the most trafficked room, here is where you are going to want a rug that will withstand shoes, pets, kids, spills, and life in general.
• Primary Light Fixtures. I am a big fan of statement light fixtures. Buying a quality piece will give you a wow factor and focal point in your space.

Favorite High-Quality Brands & Sources

This is subjective. What’s high quality to me may not meet the standards of someone else. You won’t see Arhaus or Restoration Hardware on this list, because I don’t view those as affordable brands for the average family.

• Furniture: Burrow, Castlery, Joss & Main, Birch Lane, All Modern, West Elm
• Rugs: Ruggable, Loloi
• Light Fixtures: Joss & Main, CB2, Birch Lane

Furnishings to Save On

These are typically things that are switched out more frequently depending on your current style and color preferences. 

• Textiles like curtains and pillows. This is a category where you can find quality products at reasonable prices, you just have to know where to look.
• Bedroom rugs. Since bedrooms are trafficked less than the main areas in your home, this is typically a space where I purchase a lower priced rug for the purpose of adding color and pattern.
• Side tables. AKA a glorified spot for your glasses, book and cup of water. No need for anything fancy here, just a spot to put bedside items.
• Console tables. If you are using a console table as a decorative accent to hold a lamp, mirror, key tray, or other home decor objects, you can save some money here. There are so many on trend table and cabinet options that will serve the purpose without breaking the bank.
• Most decorative accents. There is a reason Magnolia and Studio McGee have lines at Target. Because decorative objects can look good and be affordable. You don’t need to buy a fancy brand name vase, lamp or framed artwork to sit on a shelf when you can easily find something with the same look at a fraction of the price.

Favorite Budget Brands & Sources

Again, this is subjective. but I do know that I have purchased from these retailers and brands repeatedly and have been consistently satisfied with the quality for the price.

• Window Treatments: HPD curtains, Elrene curtains, Arlo roman shades from Amazon
• Pillows: Woven Nook
• Rugs: Loloi, Novogratz, Safavieh
• Furniture Retailers: Target, Wayfair, Overstock, Home Depot
• Furniture Brands: Baxton Studio, Walker Edison, Safavieh
• Decor: Hobby Lobby, Target, Homegoods/TJ Maxx/Marshalls
• Light Fixtures: Target, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot

Furnishings that Can Go Either Way

There are some items that can go either way. If they are in a high trafficked visible area I may spend a little more than somewhere like a bedroom or bathroom.

• Lamps & light fixtures
• Floral arrangements
• Artwork
• Bedding & blankets

By following these guidelines, you will find that you can have a beautifully furnished home while being budget conscious. Need more hands-on help with your home design? Check out my services tab to view the design services I offer.

If you have any comments, feedback or questions I’d love to hear below!