Save vs. splurge: Interior designer's advice for spending on furniture

Johannes van Graan Johannes van Graan
Dunkeld Apartment , Tru Interiors Tru Interiors ห้องนั่งเล่น
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It’s no surprise that decorating a home can cost an arm and a leg. However, you may be surprised to learn that a tight budget can also be enough for a beautifully decorated house – it all depends on how you plan your shopping sprees! 

The secret? Mixing top-notch décor pieces / furnishings for the really important spaces and then splurging much less for the other areas. And now you are probably wondering what the pieces are you need to focus on, right? 

Let’s find out…

But first, how about a suggested professional to help put you in contact with some high-class furnishings and decorative items? That’s where CS Design comes in, one of the country’s prime interior design firms. Located in Sandton but servicing the whole of South Africa (plus a few projects overseas), CS Design offers an extensive range of services for home lovers looking to give their living spaces (and sleeping spaces, and dining spaces, etc.) an upmarket look without going bankrupt. Some of the company’s most popular services include 3D rendering of plans, designing mood boards and presentations for clients, space planning, custom furniture design, renovations, retail design, sourcing of unique pieces, consultations, etc. 

1. Save on: A dining table

project1, CS DESIGN CS DESIGN ครัวสำเร็จรูป

Pick one made of strong material. If you want it to last through years and years of family meals and dinner parties, hardwoods like mahogany, walnut, maple, and oak are recommended. Tables made from engineered or composite woods (including plywoods) might be economical now, but won’t last nearly as long as the real thing. 

2. Save on: A proper sofa

Custom Furniture & Accessories, CS DESIGN CS DESIGN ห้องนั่งเล่น โซฟาและเก้าอี้นวม

Sofas and couches usually fall on the more expensive side of furnishings, yet they are also one of the most-used items in any home. So, splurge a little and search for one made of high-quality materials like kiln-dried hardwood and eight-way hand-tied spring construction. 

To save on future expenses, opt for a classic style. That way, you can simply reupholster it with new fabrics/colours later one instead of having to buy an entire new sofa. 

3. Save on: Good lighting

De Kelders Western Cape South Africa, CS DESIGN CS DESIGN ห้องครัว

Don’t overlook the practicality of a decent floor lamp, which can be moved anywhere and create a really atmospheric light. And if your home/room seems a bit on the cold side, replace the bulb with a ‘warmer’ one to instantly change the look of the space. 

4. Save on: Side tables

Dunkeld Apartment , Tru Interiors Tru Interiors ห้องนั่งเล่น

Here’s where you can actually cheat a bit! Side tables are dime a dozen these days and can be picked up almost anywhere. The great thing is that they don’t see that much wear and tear, which means you can compromise a bit on the quality (and, thus, the price). 

5. Save on: Area rugs

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Another item which you don’t need to spend a fortune one, considering how many times they get walked over and spilled on. Look for cheaper ones but with great colours / patterns so they can still grab some attention. And once it gets damaged, throw it out and replace with another equally cheap one. So easy! 

6. Save on: Decorative accessories

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Décor is what gives a home its character, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on it. Add some personality to those bookcases and mantels with items that have meaning instead of overly expensive prices.

Ensure your house stays in vogue with the Top 7 interior design trends in South Africa for 2019.

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