Three Things to Splurge On for Your Living Room, And Two Things You Can Save On

As one of the most—if not the most—trafficked room in your entire house, there’s a lot of pressure to create a beautiful living room that caters to your unique design aesthetic and will elicit plenty of compliments from guests. Sometimes, the only way to do so is to spend some money.

Make no mistake, we love bargain hunting and cheap thrills as much as the next person. However, when it comes to your living room, spending some extra cash on certain pieces will save you plenty of time, money, and energy in the long haul.

To help, we asked a handful of interior designers on the top three things that are worth splurging on for your living room, and two two things you can save on.

Sitting pretty might cost you a pretty penny but trust us, it’ll be so worth it.

“I think sofas are almost always worth the splurge,” explains Caitlin Murray, founder and designer at Black Lacquer Designs. “You can definitely find beautiful sofas that are also affordable, but if you’re going to be spending a fair amount of time lounging on it and you want it to stay comfortable for years to come, you should definitely consider shelling out a bit more!”

Not sure where to begin? Check out our favorite sofas under $500.

Unless you’re shopping an impressive yard sale, most antique or vintage pieces you find won’t necessarily be cheap. But if you want to give your space a personal touch—and buy a piece that can withstand the test of time—it can be worth your hard-earned money.

“Finding an antique piece that has both beauty and function adds character and warmth to your living room,” says Ashley Moore, founder and principal designer at Moore House Interiors. “Plus, it is unique to you and your family!”

Not sure where to start antique shopping? Check out this list of favorite destinations.

Whether it’s a plush Beni Ourain rug or a massive piece of art, every living room deserves a “wow” factor. Oftentimes, a piece that will receive plenty of ooh’s and ahh’s is worth the high price tag.

“It’s important to put a little extra money into items that will make you happy in the long run,” explains Jade Joyner, co-founder and principal designer of Metal + Petal.

Murray seconds this motion to splurge.

“Always splurge on at least one larger piece that can be the focal point of the room! If you’ve fallen in love with a pricey vintage daybed on Chairish or an original oil painting at your local flea, that’s where you should invest a nice chunk of your budget. These are the items that can really define an entire space, so they’re definitely worth your while!”

“It’s best not to splurge on decorative accents,” Joyner says. “Although these items can really pull the look of the space together, they don’t need to break the bank.”

While you might be tempted to spend a little more on a classic vase made with Venetian glass, it’s a good idea to avoid spending top dollar on those trendier wares.

“Avoid paying too much for trendy accessories,” suggests interior designer Maggie Griffin, “It will be hard to let those pieces go later on!”

If you love the trendy decor at pricey retailers, keep an eye on sales and special budget-friendly sections—West Elm has a section specifically for decor and accessories under $100.

Before you add anything to your cart—whether it be a design deal or splurge-worthy find—it’s important to take a step back and think about how your purchase will be used in your day-to-day life. Interior designer Ashley Moore encourages anyone with small children to think twice about making any big purchases.

“We help clients with young families daily, and we tell them all the time to not invest in an expensive rug,” Moore says. “I’ve been there, done that myself, and when you have young kids with an expensive rug, your kids can’t be kids in your home.”

Yes, it’s the same deal with bigger furniture pieces such as a coffee table.

“Your little boys and girls love to draw, color, paint, and even drive their Hot Wheels,” she explains. “Your coffee table and couch will be used heavily, and therefore show the most wear by little ones.”