Decorating Budget ~how much money does it take?

How much money will I need to spend?

Budget

The words I hear most often from my clients are, “I had no idea how many decisions I would have to make…there are so many details, I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into!” One of the first decisions will be "How much money will I need to decorate this room?"

I had dinner with a designer friend in Seattle when I was there for the spring market and just out of curiosity she priced a typical living room from a big box store it included a sofa, chairs, area rug, coffee table, end tables, lamps, art work, throw pillows and draperies. The price tag was $25,000.00. And it goes up from there depending on how large the room is and what quality you can afford and want to live with.

Most people have unrealistic notions about what things cost. Its a good idea to shop around and see what you can get for the money. Sometimes you can find great lamps for very reasonable prices and then spend more on pieces you want to last like a sofa.

You will want to determine a budget for your project before you start. You should spend only what you can afford to pay in a reasonable amount of time. Be mindful that a remodel and /or furnishings are solid investments. You are investing in your well being.

The quality of your life is heavily affected by the space in which you live. If you are not comfortable in your home, stress builds and eventually your good health is compromised.

If you are thinking of selling your home at some point, it may help to have a great color scheme with a well-designed décor. When you invest in the best quality foundational pieces that you can afford, such as artwork and area rugs, you will not be compelled to upgrade later and those are items that you can take with you if you do decide to sell.