8 Decor Items You Don’t Need to Buy High-End, Designers Say

Furniture and decor don’t come cheap these days, so it’s crucial to cut costs where you can. While there are some things worth splurging on, such as a mattress or sofa, there are plenty of home items where spending less is a smarter idea in the long run. Ready to get the biggest bang for your buck? These things are a total waste of money, according to interior designers we spoke to.

Rugs

It feels as if the cost of a rug today can rival a mortgage payment. However, Kate Dawson tells me spending that kind of cash is highly unnecessary. “Fancy Persian, hand-knotted, and antique oriental rugs are beautiful, but they come with a hefty price tag. I always show my clients rugs from online stores like Wayfair, or Rugs USA,” says the interior designer.

She explains, “Most people want to change up the decor in their home every five or six years, so why spend $8,000 on a rug, when you can get a great rug for $500 that you can swap out down the line if you want to? Buying a lower-end rug gives you more versatility for the space down the line. You won’t feel like you’re forced to use the rug since it didn’t break the bank.”

Curtains and Rods

Customized window treatments can cost thousands of dollars, but there just isn’t a good reason to splurge here. “Why spend that? There are so many great mass-produced options for curtain rods and curtain panels such as Anthropologie and Etsy,” says Dawson.

If your windows aren’t a ready-made size, you can always get larger curtains and have them hemmed at your local tailor for far less than the cost of custom.

Designer Throw Pillows

Dawson tells me designer throw pillows can cost upwards of $250 for just one pillow. “Why spend that when you can get beautiful, luxurious, and vibrant pillows from HomeGoods, HomeSense, or TJ Maxx? They always have an amazing assortment of patterns and textures, and they get new inventory every day, which is great for anyone who wants to change them up from season to season.”

However, if you fall in love with something out of your budget, interior designer and HGTV star Shay Holland tells me it might not be entirely out of your reach. “If a high-end fabric really appeals to you, many retailers will sell it to customers by the yard or you can find something similar at a fabric store. Stitch it yourself or pay a friend who has a sewing machine (or hit up your local tailor!) to create the same custom look for a lot less money.”

Mass-Produced Artwork

Everyone needs to decorate their walls, but mass-produced artwork is often overpriced. Holland recommends scouring thrift stores, outlets, and community art shows for pieces that reflect your personality or sourcing high-quality prints at online marketplaces like Minted.

Seasonal Decor

If you can’t enjoy something all year round—should you really shell out for it? Holland says the answer is no. “One of my clients says that Christmas should be the only exception when it’s ok to buy seasonal decor. But even then who really needs a $2,000 life-size Santa?” She adds, “Same goes for orange bouclé pumpkins and gilded reindeer.”

The designer recommends shopping post-holiday sales for decor that can be used year-round—like a red tablecloth that’s suitable for Christmas, Independence Day, Valentine’s Day, or any joyful occasion. “Save the money for something that lasts longer than a holiday.”

Hardware

High-end hardware can really blow your budget for a kitchen or bathroom refresh. But you don’t need to break the bank on expensive knobs and pulls when less expensive options get the job done just as well. Interior designer Samantha Gallacher of IG Workshop and Art+Loom explains you can easily cut corners on hardware. “There are some incredible companies that make knobs and pulls for $40 or less, like San Diego Hardware Company, Rejuvenation, and Plank Hardware.”

If you’re really on a shoestring budget, you can pick up hardware multipacks on Amazon for a great price. 

Sconces

Lighting can be expensive but according to Deana Lenz of Deana Lenz Interiors, sconces can always be found at accessible prices. She says, “You don’t need to spend $500 to $1,000 on sconces. You can find unique and artisan sculpted sconces that give off beautiful lighting from $200 to $250.” Lulu and Georgia is one of her favorite places to look for deals in this category.

Coffee Table Books

While those hardcover coffee table books are great for filling shelves and decorating, they can be quite expensive. “If you have in mind which books you like, it is nice to order pre-owned versions that can still be purchased on Amazon,” explains Gallacher. You can also find used coffee table books at garage sales, estate sales, and thrift shops.