I love a good deal. I think you know that by now! I WILL hunt down a coupon code or look for budget friendly dupes to save a buck, and a lot of times that works for me. But I’ve also learned that some things are worth the investment. Some “cheaper alternatives” just don’t last as long or give you the same high end look that a name brand can do and some may cost you more in the end. So today I’m sharing 5 common items that I don’t recommend buying on the cheap.
Faucets
FAUCETS
Faucets are a statement. In a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, they are one of the main things that differentiate a budget friendly design from a high end look. There are a few reasons I prefer spending more on faucets…quality being the biggest reason. I usually prefer to pick faucets from brands that I know. Plastic parts are less expensive but are more likely to break and leaking is a common issue with low quality brands. Pfister, Kohler, Delta, Kraus, Moen, and Delta are all well known brands that produce quality faucets.
Aesthetics is another big reason! High quality brands generally produce higher quality finishes and designs. With the faucet being such a focus of the bathroom and kitchen’s design, you want to be sure that it makes a statement from afar and up close. Cheap gold finishes are giveaways of a faux brass finish and a budget friendly faucets from the hardware store is often the sign of a low budget renovation.
Click below to shop
Hardware
HARDWARE
Knobs, pulls, and door handles are one of the best ways you can turn a low end or budget friendly item into a high end designer look. Ikea cabinets are a great example of that! A less expensive cabinet with high end hardware can make any Ikea cabinet look like a custom kitchen. Chris Loves Julia’s kitchen above is a perfect example of that. The same goes for both interior and exterior door handles! A simple or builder grade door can look custom with a designer door handle in a quality finish.
The main thing to keep in mind is that your hardware is constantly being used so you need something that can withstand that. The longevity of the finish and interior components with everyday use is generally seen more in higher quality materials. And don’t forget about the weight of the hardware! The heavier it is, the better (and more quality) it feels in my opinion!
Click below to shop
Lighting
LIGHTING
I keep going back and forth on this because there are some budget friendly lights that look and feel beautiful! I’ve seen tons of table lamps that cost less than $50 but look $200 and I think a lot of that has to do with a good finish and a great shade. It’s overhead lights, sconces, and exterior lights that I tend to prefer higher end. Again, the color/finish is a big thing and budget friendly alternatives tend to have a cheaper looking/faux finish. I like a light that looks and feels substantial (somewhat weighted) and a quality metal with a quality finish can do that. You don’t need to spend all your money to get a quality finish, a medium range of $100 is usually a good place to start.
Click below to shop
Sofa
SOFA
Just like the hardware in your home, you use your sofa everyday…multiple times a day! It’s going to see a lot of wear and a quality cushion that bounces back with a durable fabric that can be cleaned is often worth your money. We know first hand how quickly a budget friendly couch can wear and we’ve learned that it’s almost always worth the investment
Click below to shop
Rugs
RUGS
The longevity of your rug depends entirely on the materials it’s made with the amount of foot traffic it gets! A rug is only as good as the materials it’s made from and that often means you have to pay more upfront for a rug that will last a long time! I wrote a post about what materials you should look for in a rug that will last, but in summary…wool is very durable while silk is more delicate.
Click below to shop
Do keep in mind that not everything in your home has to be expensive in order for it to look beautiful! I firmly believe that you can create stunning spaces on a budget with a few high end pieces that elevate the look. Save a little here so you can spend a little more there!
Leave a Reply
DO YOU WANT
The Inside Scoop
Where behind the scenes, exclusive advice, and candid conversations are sent straight to your inbox every week.
I recently remodeled/redecorated my entire home. I used my intuition and used these colors plus soft greens and whites to connect all rooms. I love wallpaper so every room got ne paper, my backsplash is handcrafted teal mermaid tail tiles which look sunning with my almond wraparound cabinets, swirled brown granite, oversized Anthro sofa & blush velvet chairs at the white and gold dinette table( big kitchen), and blush velvet stools at the pie shaped black walnut top which blends with my medium dark floor. My living room has a peacock velvet chaise facing an CURVES Anthro emerald tree/teal floral sofa w/ antique chairs in oft teals, pinks and lavenders. My boudoir bedroom has water cooler blows magnolias in cream background and touches of green/butter yellow. Every room sports crystal lights in many styles. Mackenzie reindeer abound along with jeweled trinkets for the children to find. Velvet /lace is draped over railings, shades and chair to add color. I get raves for my Maximalist, eclectic style of romantic, whimsical and elegant look. SO ME!