As someone who writes about deals for a living, I’m always on the hunt for a solid bargain — but I also understand the importance of investing in quality items, especially when it comes to your home. Sure, buying, say, cheap, flimsy furniture might save money in the moment, but in the long run, you could end up shelling out far more for replacements. And when it comes to creating a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing dwelling that feels wholly “you,” there are some purchases that might not be essential, but can really make a huge impact.
What do the experts say? I asked interior designers about the home elements they believe are most worth your money, from area rugs to hardware.
An artful abode
Few things will make your house feel like a home like incorporating items that hold significance for you. “I would invest in one or two pieces with real soul: original art, a vintage object, a beautifully crafted table or something connected to a meaningful place or memory,” says Tina Delia, director of interior design for Delia Designs based in Washington, DC. “Those are the pieces that keep a home from looking like a showroom and make it feel unmistakably personal.”
Invest in one or two pieces with real soul: original art, a vintage object, a beautifully crafted table or something connected to a meaningful place or memory.
Michelle Gage, founder and creative director of Michelle Gage Interiors in Philadelphia, agrees: “Artwork can come with you from home to home — and within a home, you can move it around into different rooms when you want to freshen things up. Chances are, with art, if you love it now, you’ll love it for a long time.”
Amazon
I don’t know about you, but hanging artwork on my walls used to be a big source of stress. If you avoid doing so because it seems like a daunting task, fear not. This handy gadget was designed to take the guesswork out of leveling and hanging, and it’ll show you exactly where to position your wall mounts. Plus, it comes with 85 pieces of hardware to suit just about any type of frame.
Swoon-worthy sofas
If there’s one piece of furniture you don’t want to just settle for, it’s a couch. “A comfortable sofa is worth every penny,” declares our resident design expert, Senior Home Editor Jessica Dodell-Feder. “I always recommend people pay the most they can reasonably afford for a sofa. It might cost more upfront, but a good sofa can last decades, and for most of us, it’s one of the most-used pieces of furniture we own — where we hang out, watch movies, nap, even eat dinner! How much would it suck if your go-to relaxation spot had sunken cushions or upholstery you were always worried about staining?”
I always recommend people pay the most they can reasonably afford for a sofa.
Ashley
Here’s a reasonably priced, pretty sofa that gets Dodell-Feder’s stamp of approval: “I have to admit I was skeptical of this sofa, thanks to its impressively low price,” she confesses. “But after spending countless nights watching Real Housewives on it at my friend’s house, I was impressed. Though it looks very upright with its firm seat cushions and tufted back, it has a decent amount of give. You won’t sink all the way down into this sofa, but I personally like to feel a bit supported. If you do too, this is an excellent option.
“At 76 inches wide, this is on the smaller side, but it would fit well in a TV room or den. And if you’re worried about durability, know that my friend who owns this beauty has two kids, and they haven’t managed to destroy it after a year.”
Discreet decor
A colorful painting might make a statement, but sometimes, the more inconspicuous items can make the biggest difference. “I would invest in the elements that quietly improve how a home functions,” shares Delia. “Excellent storage, properly placed electrical outlets, quality dimmers and well-designed built-ins … They may not be the first things someone notices, but they are often what make a home feel effortless.”
Amazon
Speaking of outlet placement: Beauty might be in the eye of the beholder, but we can probably all agree that dangling cords are objectively eyesores. With this top-seller, you’ll only be seeing one slim cord per outlet, even if multiple items are plugged into it. How so? It’s got a small power strip attached, so you can plug things into that and spare your walls from snaking cables. Just plug the cover into your outlet — it couldn’t be easier to use.
Too haute to handle
Little upgrades, big payoff! “I think nice hardware is always worth the money because it’s something you touch every day,” explains Dodell-Feder. “When you think about it, cabinet pulls and knobs, bathroom sinks, etc., get a ton of foot (hand?) traffic, so they need to be durable, and it’s always a bonus if you love the way they look and feel.”
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Delia agrees: “I also believe good plumbing fixtures are worth the investment. Faucets, shower systems and hardware are touched every day, and poor-quality versions reveal themselves quickly through finish wear, loose fittings and inconsistent performance.”
Amazon
“Want to make your kitchen look rich? Cup pulls (aka bin pulls or half-moon pulls) are the answer,” says Dodell-Feder. “These unique pulls were popularized in the Victorian era and have serious historic charm. They work well in traditional and farmhouse kitchens, but you can also find simpler, narrower styles that feel modern if you love the look but have a more contemporary space.”
Whimsical walls
Tired of staring at blank walls? Don’t be afraid to go bold. “Wallpaper works wonders for a home,” says Gage. “Whether you’re enhancing existing character or attempting to add some where it never was, wallpaper is a great way to add instant personality to a space.”
I can confirm; the wallpaper in my dining room is what sold me when I first toured my (now) home, and it’s what I get the most compliments on when guests come over.
Wallpaper is a great way to add instant personality to a space.
Anthropologie
How stunning is this floral print? It’s equal parts whimsical and dramatic, thanks to the dark blue background, and since it’s peel-and-stick, you’ll be able to remove it easily if needed. “Obsessed,” wrote one fan. “I always get so many compliments!” Another called it “substantial-weight wallpaper,” adding that it has a “beautiful pattern.”
Elevated everyday essentials
We want the items we rely on day in and day out to last, and sometimes, that means spending a bit more money. “I would always invest in the items that support your body, your routines and the way you experience your home every day,” notes Delia. “A high-quality mattress, a comfortable sofa, supportive dining chairs and well-made upholstered pieces are rarely regrettable purchases because they affect both comfort and longevity.”
Priscilla Farman/Yahoo
If your creaky old mattress has seen better days (and your back has the aches to prove it), this one, which combines memory foam and coils, comes highly recommended by our health editors, who put many to the test in search of the best mattresses.
“The mattress delivered consistently strong performance across every testing category, earning high marks for support, comfort and overall sleep quality,” says Health Editor Holly Pevzner. “Our testers — an active couple in their 70s — repeatedly described the Bear Elite as exceptionally well-balanced, without the trade-offs we noticed in more specialized mattresses. It’s also endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, the largest U.S. professional organization for chiropractors, which vets mattresses for spinal-support claims.”
Let there be (layered) light
If there’s one factor that can really influence a home’s tone, it’s lighting. “Lighting is one of the best investments in a home,” shares Delia. “Beautiful fixtures add character, but the real luxury is having multiple sources of warm, flattering light rather than relying on one overhead fixture.”
The real luxury is having multiple sources of warm, flattering light rather than relying on one overhead fixture.
Amazon
I’m not a big fan of overhead lights, but placing a sconce like this (it doesn’t require any tools!) on the wall will add some gentle mood lighting. With three brightness levels and temperature settings to choose from, you’ll be able to create the ambience you prefer, and since it rotates 360 degrees, you can switch up the angle as needed. Oh, and if the power goes out, you can pop it right out of its base and use it as a flashlight!
Subdued sound
Have you ever considered the auditory quality of your home? I hadn’t, but according to Delia, “Acoustic comfort is another underappreciated luxury. Rugs, lined drapery, upholstered furniture and sound-absorbing materials can make a home feel calmer, warmer and more intimate. A beautiful room that echoes or feels acoustically harsh rarely feels truly luxurious.” Genius, and noted!
Rugs.com
I rely on area rugs in almost every room in my home, including the kitchen. You’ll want to make sure they’re large enough to fit comfortably under your furniture, as well as extend beyond it; otherwise, it’ll make the room look unbalanced and less cohesive. Larger rugs will also help with sound absorption, and I’m eyeing this textured, cream-colored beauty that would complement a bevy of decor schemes.
Well-dressed windows
Here’s an instant upgrade: “Good window treatments are equally transformative, because they improve softness, privacy, acoustics and the overall architecture of a room,” says Delia. For an extra-luxe look, opt for long curtains and place them a bit higher than the tops of your window frames.
Quince
Made of European flax linen, these breezy curtains will give your home an effortlessly elegant look, and you can opt for light-filtering, room-darkening or true-blackout styles. Whether you’re going for a cozy retreat or a light-filled living room, these window dressings will allow you to achieve your desired result in style.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.