Decor Items Worth the Investment

Furnishing and decorating your home is no easy feat. You want it to reflect your personality and interests, be functional, welcoming and look beautiful, all while staying within budget. It’s a huge undertaking that requires patience and research if you want to do it correctly and avoid having to make too many replacements in the future. Buy it nice, or buy it twice...right? Er...sort of. There are definitely certain items you can get away with buying on the cheap i.e. throw blankets, candles, hand towels, tea kettles, glassware, so on and so forth. However, there are a handful of things that are worth spending a bit more on. This doesn’t have to mean being irresponsible and breaking the bank. Most vendors have sales seemingly on the daily. I can count on one hand the things I’ve bought in my apartment for full price. It just means really considering the value and sustainability of a product. If you’re renting an apartment and don’t know how long you’re going to stay, there’s probably no point in splurging on an expensive dresser and bed frame since they may not fit in your future pad, ya know? I’ve learned through a lot of trial and error that it may be worth “splurging” on the following:

BAR/COUNTER STOOLS AND KITCHEN CHAIRS

Anything you’re going to be sitting in daily is worth putting some thought into. I made the mistake of buying pretty shitty, uncomfortable bar stools with absolutely no back support when we moved in. We usually eat at the counter, work at the counter, etc. Why I waited 2.5 years to finally replace them, I do not know. Lesson learned.

All Modern has stools that vary in height, style, and price.

Sometimes I find Wayfair to be overwhelming. The selection is so massive that it can be really time-consuming to narrow down exactly what you want, but they have a ton of filters you can use to help you get to your purchase faster.

SOFA

Again, you’re more than likely going to use your couch at some point throughout the day. Even the cheaper ones are pretty pricey, so it’s important for it to be comfortable and built to last. This is by far the most expensive item in our apartment (while still being really reasonable) and I have zero regrets. I’m committed to mid-century modern furniture so I knew it would be something I’m going to have for the foreseeable future. Plus, couch wine at night is one of my favorite pastimes :).  

I really love Article. Their customer service is great and items are classic, functional, comfortable, and easy to assemble on your own.

If you’re looking for a similar look with a smaller price tag, try World Market.

Chairish has a really funky selection that may have you saying “Do I need a vintage citron velvet camelback sofa?” Maybe you do.

DECORATIVE PILLOWS

Ok, this may sound stupid but hear me out. After having replaced crushed, mangled, torn-looking decorative pillows roughly three times the past couple of years I finally spent a bit more on a  pair I had my eye on from CB2 and I’m happy to say they’re extremely durable and have yet to let me down.

You can find some cool patterned and textured decorative pillows here.

AREA RUGS

Rugs are important. In the words of The Dude, they really tie the room together.  They add texture, color, and warmth. Swapping them out can totally change the look and feel of a room. Depending on where you put them, they’re bound to get a lot of foot traffic so quality kind of matters. You want it to be easy to clean since spills are bound to happen, we’re only human. If you’re extra clumsy- natural fiber rugs are probably for you since they’re the easiest to wash. Basically- there are a lot of factors that go into purchasing a rug, so put some thought into it before you take the plunge. 

Rugs.com is simple, effective, and always running some sort of sale.

I love Lulu and Georgia’s selection. They’re so aesthetically pleasing and clean-looking while still maintaining character. Some of the items are on the pricier end of the spectrum but if you have a more modest budget, there are plenty of lower-priced options for you. As usual, there’s always a sale, especially around the holidays.

LIGHT FIXTURES

Honestly, I don’t even know if I would file this under an investment because nice lighting does not have to be expensive...like at all. Of course, you can buy the Bugatti of overhead lighting, but it’s not necessary. It’s just worth installing fixtures you’re set on and love because it can really, really alter a room. Think about fluorescent overhead office lighting aka one of the gates of hell. I rest my case. Yea, probably going to begin the hunt for new lighting immediately. 

All Modern has a really spot on, curated selection.

Old Faithful coming through for the win. There’s nothing Etsy can’t offer you.

FRAMES

Truth be told, the art we have in our apartment is a mixture of flea market finds and pieces from Art.com which always surprises people. You can find a cheaper piece but if you put it in a chic-ish-looking frame it immediately makes it look more expensive. Bonus: Art.com has an entire section with good quality, affordable, framed art. That being said- I’m sure nothing is more rewarding than scoring a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece of art. Just make sure you put it in a nice frame ;). 

CURTAINS

I waited too long to swap the curtains that came with our apartment in the living room and sometimes I look back and wonder what the hell I was thinking. I waited for the ones I had my eye on from West Elm to go on sale and voilà...life-changing.

BEDDING

You’re supposed to wash your bedding every 10 days or so (I know, me either) so sheets and comforters that can withstand frequent washes are muy importante. Quality sleep is like, the most essential factor in living a healthy existence so anything that promotes getting a solid 7-8 hours nightly is worth it. 

I love West Elm’s selection of sheets and duvets.

I personally have never used Brooklinen but I’ve heard really good things.