Whether you are moving into your first home or you have an existing space that needs attention, I’m sharing today some tips on designing a home on a budget.
As I have written about here and here, I recently installed my daughter’s first post-college apartment in Manhattan. There was a distinct thought process I applied on where to invest and where to save as we pulled together her first home.
Tips To Follow When Designing A Home On A Budget:
1. Buy the best upholstery you can afford
We started with a Fabricut headboard for her bedroom and sofa and chair in some of their wool fabrics for the sitting area as these are all great pieces that can grow with her over time.
A nice, weighty piece of upholstery makes such a difference – the quality is much better and I knew she would use it for years to come. This leads me to my next point……



2. Determine your price points based upon the piece’s purpose and longevity
My daughter’s bedroom is a decent size for Manhattan standards, but it lacked a closet. I took 2′ of the room and created a makeshift one with Fabricut’s quick ship draperies.(the roman shades are part of their quick ship program as well).
Their window treatment program is new to me and I was extremely impressed with the options. They shipped within 10 days of placing the order, too!
We incorporated an IKEA closet system behind the draperies because it only needs to last a year or two.
If she ends up using it longer than that, it’s an added bonus. To my point, this wasn’t an area that needed much financial investment but did need a functional system that worked for the space. IKEA was the solution for designing this small space within our budget and it turned out perfectly.

There’s no doubt she will enjoy this Gabby marble lamp for years to come.
3. Find your color palette – Think Neutral For Small Spaces
Knowing this was my daughter’s first home after college, I wanted to make it warm, functional, and inviting. The function of these new pieces can serve her in other living spaces in the future.
Therefore, selecting a color palette that she enjoys that will also stand the test of time was important. We went with mostly neutral tones but added pops of gray and pattern in the custom Fabricut pillows to add a little flare.


4. Buy the Best Art Your Budget Allows
Regarding art, my suggestion is simple; buy pieces you love and spend as much as you can afford. It’s something that lasts a lifetime and can move with you from home to home.
My daughter started collecting art her senior year of high school and as a result, she’s curated a nice collection of custom pieces for her age.

Whether you are just starting out or looking for budget- friendly design options for your current home, I hope you find this post helpful. Let me know what you think-
Have a great day,
Dana
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