Save or splurge? Renovating 101
After beautifying interiors for many renovations and new builds, Katy Husband from Feather and Oak shares her secrets on where to spend or save your way to success.
Renovating a house takes a lot of time and money. There can often be tension between splurging on statement pieces and saving money by cutting back where we can. After many years with our wonderful clients, I’ve cultivated some key areas where you can make the most of your budget.
SAVE
Cabinetry
Keep internal cabinetry simple and standardised to keep the price low. Save your pennies for things like your cupboard fronts and benchtop, which are visible and in high traffic areas.
Sofas and chairs
If you have a young family or a busy household, don’t spend large on sofas! Wait until the messy moments are less frequent. Alternatively, invest in a great quality sofa with a cheaper, washable fabric and get the sofa reupholstered when the kids have grown up.
Cushions and throws
Mixing cheaper and custom cushions together is a great way to fill your sofa or bed on a budget while keeping a high-end look. Replace the cheaper cushions frequently to keep your room looking fresh.
Lighting
Carefully select and mix high-end and more budget-friendly pieces. Keep investment lighting to a few key areas and replace budget lighting in the future when the budget allows. Layer in ambient lighting such as floor and table lamps to give a custom feel. Repurposing a cheap vintage light is a fun DIY project for all!
SPLURGE
Window treatments
Splurge-worthy! Get the best you can afford because this does save money in the long run with your heating and cooling bills. Windows are a feature that take up a large amount of real estate in the room, so it’s essential to get this right!
Flooring
Flooring has a significant influence on the look of a home, and it’s not easily changed. A durable, good-quality flooring product will not only wear well, but it will also stand the test of time and hopefully remain beautiful for many years.
Benchtops
Yet another hard-working surface, investing in a product with longevity is cheaper in the long run and will elevate the look of any kitchen and withstand everyday use. If you invest wisely here, it will last well.
Wallpaper
With so many breathtaking wallpaper designs from around the globe, I highly recommend spending more to get a custom and bespoke feel to your space. Typically, wallpaper is only placed on a few walls and gives maximum impact – like your very own personal artwork!
While most of your renovation decisions will come down to personal budget and preference, knowing where to spend and where to save can help you stick to a budget and come out on the other side with no regrets.
03 313 0123 | featherandoak.co.nz
