Can interior design be affordable? Put your hand up if you’re like me and you tend to have an appreciation for finer things in life. So you like to spoil yourself a bit? Big deal!
Well, it is kind of a big deal when you have a strict budget for practically EVERYTHING! Ugh, I know, isn’t life SO hard? I am constantly reminding myself… I am NOT a Kardashian, I can’t spend my whole paycheck on throw pillows.
So where does that leave us? You know, those of us who like to stay on top of trends and refresh their homes on the regular, all while staying within a reasonable budget. It’s simple, trust me. Affordable interior design is a thing.
You Can Be Trendy And Save
We just have to find items we love that are trendy, but don’t break the bank. And we are here to tell you, they exist!
That is why we’ve created the Splurge vs. Save Series. To showcase two very similar looks, with two very different price points. We want to show that affordable interior design comes at different price points through this series of blog posts.
It just means that you will be doing some shopping around and hunting for good deals. Don’t we all love a good challenge though?
For this week, we’ve decided to focus on a patio look because we believe creating an outdoor oasis is attainable for almost everyone–well as long as your home has an outdoor space!
The style we chose for this look is contemporary with a touch of boho, perfect for the outdoors! Let’s dive in… You’ll find the Splurge version up here and the Save version with just a quick scroll below.
Start With the Biggest Item On Your List
It’s best to start with your biggest piece and work your way down to the smaller accessories. In this example, we’ve selected a light wicker sectional sofa, perfect for some easy lounging.
You’ll notice some small differences between the two sofas, but for the most part, they are similar in style and serve the same function at two different price points. We believe you can get a great deal on an outdoor sofa or a sectional that will still provide the style, comfort, and seating you are looking for at a good price point.
Next are the accent chairs, we absolutely love this Acapulco style chair for summer and guess what? There are SO many different variations out there, at various price points. The ones we’ve selected are slightly different in size and shape but have a very similar look and vibe to them. Both chairs showcase string-like supports and a fun oval shape. These chairs make me feel like I’m on vacation. Puerto Backyarda anyone?
You’ll also notice that the rugs are alike in style, colour, pattern and overall feel. Rugs are another great piece that you can save on or splurge on for the outdoors. Because they are meant to be outside, the fabric is usually durable and water-resistant regardless of the brand you go for.
Pay Attention to the Material
Notice the black accent tables are almost identical. That’s that lovely pedestal style that’s SO on-trend right now. This side table is perfect for setting your drink on or even using it as a stool for extra seating. So what’s the difference?
The table on the Splurge Style Board is made of concrete and the table on the Save board is made from plastic. Both these materials work really well outdoors and are viable options for your patio.
If you are looking to save some money on your side tables, consider checking out different materials and perhaps swapping for the less expensive version!
Now, let’s talk about the lighting. In the Splurge version we have used an awesome lantern and stand combo that comes together beautifully as a set, BUT – just because this piece is a little on the pricier side, doesn’t mean we can’t replicate it using a little less moolah.
In the Save version, we opted for buying the lantern and the stand separately. The stand was found on Amazon but we are sure you could find something similar at the local gardening centre. Then we selected a rattan textured lantern to hang from it.
If you want to save money, it helps to be resourceful. This saved us a bunch of money, and on the plus side, you can always change up the lantern each year or each season depending on what you like! Easy-peasy.
An easy way to save money is to think about the items you are using for inspiration and see if there is an easier and more affordable way to duplicate them. A little DIY never hurt anybody!
Champagne Taste on A Prosecco Budget
We’ve put together these two looks to show you how you can achieve your dream style while still on a budget. There are tons of great brands out there that offer unique pieces for affordable prices. So you see, affordable interior design is possible.
Does this mean you can have champagne taste on a beer budget? Hmm…I won’t go that far. I like to think it’s more like champagne taste on a prosecco budget maybe.
If you are the kind of person that appreciates good design and quality of the items you want to spend your money on, you are most likely going to be the happiest with a mix of items from the two looks rather than everything from the Save look.
