How to Set a Decorating Budget

Window shopping in Home Goods? Easy. Pinning everything you want your house to look like on Pinterest? Easy. Setting up a consultation with a designer to help you make your dreams a reality? Easy. When the designer asks you what your budget is? Please don't faint. 

Determining your budget does not have to be a daunting task; when your designer asks you how much you're looking to spend, don't give them a number you think they want to hear, give them a real, thought out, financially reasonable answer - there's an easy way to figure that out, and I will tell you how: 

Determining your wants versus needs is your first step in determining your budget. If you are completely redoing your living room and starting from scratch, its easy to figure out that you're definitely going to be needing some spending money for a couch as opposed to a fancy vase for decoration. Furniture pieces are going to be your first priority, so, couch, coffee table, side tables, entertainment center/console table. Now, do some research on these items, what is expensive to you? What seems inexpensive to you? Average it out and determine what you would be comfortable paying for each piece and then add those up. 

The next step is to prioritize. We all want a magazine worthy home, and it is definitely possible, byt perhaps start small if you're working with a tight budget - instead of reaching for every pretty vase you see, ask yourself: where will this fit in? Is this versatile? Will it last me through the seasons? The same questions you should be asking yourself when building your wardrobe will apply to your home decor, you want to get the most out of your money and absolutely love what you're purchasing. 

Make sure in all of this planning that you are being realistic. When you are working with a tight budget but showing your designer pictures of million dollar houses, design plans and budget may get lost in translation. Be sure to ask yourself and your designer is my budget realistic for the design I'm going for? If not, how can I alter it to get a similar design within my budget. 

Another important thing to factor in is going to be design 'risks', these mishaps, overlooked items, and items that may need to be replaced in the future. If you are a homeowner, opt for designs that are timeless not trendy, to save yourself money in redesigning in the long run. If you are renting out your place, steer away from fragile pieces and valuables. Also, this may include things that you have not planned on purchasing but in your shopping endeavors find a piece that you truly love, need, and will make your house feel like a home. A little extra leg-room in the budget is necessary to ensure you stay on track. 

Don't be afraid to show your designer exactly what it is that you want and allow them to guide you. It is possible to recreate your dream space, reasonably, within your own budget.