Where Designers Say You Should Save or Splurge in Your First Home

Decorating your first home is an exciting time, but it can also be expensive. While thrift stores and hand-me-downs are great options for many, not all items are best to buy cheap or used. 

But how to know what’s best? We turned to a few of our favorite design pros for their top tips on when new homeowners and renters should save and when they should splurge.

Front Entrance

As Jackie Mosher, co-founder of the exterior design platform Dzinly, points out, many new homeowners and renters ignore their front entryways. Because this is your home’s first impression, she strongly advises putting some money into creating a warm and welcoming space.

Save: Entryway Decor and Landscaping

You don’t need to spend a lot on cute touches of personality for your entryway. Mosher suggests choosing something fun and bold in a small detail like a doormat.

Next is landscaping: depending on when you move in or what the state of your yard is, landscaping might be high on the list of things to fix. But Mosher suggests pausing, assessing, and starting small.

“Potted plants or flowers by the entrance are a simple yet effective way to breathe life into your exterior,” she says. 

Splurge: Functional Furniture

While you can get creative with how you furnish this space, you might want to splurge on items that make your life easier. Think: shoe racks, sideboards, and coat hooks.

If you have a front porch, this is also a great space to create a small outdoor sanctuary, says Mosher.

“Adding a bench or chairs with colorful, weatherproof cushions or throw pillows gives your front porch a cozy, lived-in feel,” she says. 

Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more!

Flooring

Splurge: Great Area Rugs

According to Brittany Cooper, the owner and principal designer of Rathell Designs, you can never overestimate the importance of great flooring for a cozy, home, and comfortable space.

Of course, laying new floors can be incredibly costly. Instead of tackling such a major project, Cooper suggests looking for a quality area rug.

“A great area rug will anchor the space and add warmth, both physically and visually,” Cooper says.

While there is a wide variety of rugs available on the market, a quality pick in the right material, such as wool, is likely to be the most durable. 

Furniture

Buying cheap, mass-produced furniture might help you furnish your home quickly, but it probably won’t help in the long-term. Luckily, not everything calls for a big investment.

Save: Stylish or Trendy Accent Pieces

If you’re looking to add stylish accent pieces, Cooper suggests saving on these by shopping second-hand or asking friends and family. “You can add unique character to a space at a fraction of the cost,” she says.

Splurge: Quality, Timeless Pieces and Essential Furniture

When it comes to furniture shopping, Mosher says if you’re going to splurge, go for timeless. Think classic, quality exterior light fixtures and neutral, simple furniture. 

Stephanie Fienerman, founder of her eponymous design studio, also believes essential furniture is not the place to skimp. Focus on quality essentials like sofas, dining tables, and chairs, that anchor your space.

Interior designer Temi Johnson agrees, and she says if you must pick one, start with your sofa. She suggests shopping for quality fabric and filling, noting it’s important to decide in advance whether you want a cozy, pillowy feel or a firmer, more supportive piece.  

“Your sofa is such an important investment, as it is often the most used item of furniture in your home,” she says.

Lighting

Often, people don’t spend enough time considering their home’s lighting plan. Cooper warns this can easily ruin your home’s ambiance.

Splurge: Quality, Layered Lighting

“Investing in well-designed, durable fixtures or stylish lamps can transform the look and feel of a room, while poor lighting can make even the nicest furnishings look flat or uninviting,” Cooper says.

While you might be able to find cute and cheap lamps, Cooper recommends splurging on the key lighting elements first. Once your base is set, then you can add aesthetics. 

“Don’t underpay here—lighting is not just about visibility,” she says. “It’s about creating a comfortable and appealing environment you’ll enjoy living in.”

Art and Wall Decor

It’s no surprise that Natalie Papier, designer, artist, and author, feels strongly that people should prioritize adding art to their first homes. Buying art can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.

Save: Cheap Mass-Produced PIeces

Papier says there are unlimited options to save on art, from thrifting paintings to repurposing found objects, like vintage plates and pretty tapestries. Whatever you do, don’t panic-buy cheap art just to fill your space.

“I have seen so many instances where people want to fill up their new home as quickly as possible with mass-produced art,” Papier says. She warns this is guaranteed to create a space with a generic and sterile feel.