Save or splurge on furniture for your first home? North Jersey designers weigh in (2024)

Maddie McGayNorthJersey.com

Buying your first home is an investment in itself, but having to fill that entire home with furniture and décor is a whole other story.

It's a daunting task to be sure — and how do you know when to splurge and when to save?

"Obviously the furniture is really important, but certain selections within your overall floor plan can be selected based on your budgetary needs," said Julie Kantrowitz of JK Interior Living a Bergen County-based design firm. "If you're just starting out and your budget's a little limited because you invested so much in the property, there are pointers for having the home represent your style and flair but not at a super high price."

Here are some pieces you should consider investing in, and others you can find for a more affordable price.

Splurge: Couches and sofas

Kantrowitz said that when it comes to items like sofas, they're going to be fairly expensive regardless of which one you choose to buy. So, she recommends making the investment into a good sofa since you'll already be spending a hefty amount to begin with.

"If you're going to spend thousands of dollar on a sofa, you might want to make the investment and go for a higher-end retailer that you know you're going to get the longevity for that piece," she said. "And with kids and dogs, you're going to want to select a high performance fabric so it can withstand a lot of traction and wear and tear."

Save: Coffee tables

Coffee tables are an item you can get away with a cheaper alternative, Michal Rubin, principal designer of MR Interiors in Livingston, said, because of the fact that it's purpose is mostly decorative and it won't get as much wear and tear on a daily basis. She said there are also a lot of cheaper options available that are trendy and look expensive for a fraction of the cost.

Kantrowitz said something she likes to do to make a cheaper coffee table look more high end is by replacing the tabletop with a nicer stone material from a local stone fabrication yard.

"Any of the local stone yard — like stone fabrication yards specifically, not the bigger sourcing yards but the small fabrication yards — always have remnant stone material in their yard that you can choose from at a fraction of the price of a whole slab," she said. "So you could find like a really beautiful marble or soapstone or travertine — any type of stone that you're interested in and you can have it cut custom to the size and shape that you need. Sometimes you can actually find really beautiful stones that you would never be able to have in the budget. But, when it's in remnant form, it's more affordable."

Splurge: Dining tables

Rubin said a high-quality and durable dining table is worth the investment for your first home.

"This is where you're hosting dinner parties,where your family sits down for meals," she said. "You want to make sure your dining table is of good quality, and that you find an expandable one — giving you the option to open and close for size as you see fit."

Save: Lighting

While the right lighting for your space is a necessity, Kantrowitz said it is not an item that is worth splurging on. She said that because it's an item that is positioned on the wall or hanging above your head, you and your guests aren't going to be up close to see the quality of the piece. From afar, a lower-priced light fixture can give the same look.

"Since there are such beautiful fixtures out there, a lot of them are actually replicas of the high-end fixtures," she said. "Some companies actually have a really good price on fixtures that resemble the higher end pieces."

Splurge: Mattresses

"Invest, invest, invest in a mattress," Kantrowitz said. "100% that's something that I think is a worthwhile investment."

Because a mattress is less about appearances and more about your well-being and quality of sleep, Kantrowitz said it is always worth the investment.

When it comes to the bedframe, though, she said they tend to lean more towards affecting the appearance of a space than your lifestyle. Because of this, she said you can get a lower-priced bedframe and headboard for a lower price without necessarily sacrificing the look you're going for.

Save: Décor

"Always bring decorative pieces in," Rubin said. "The good news about accessorizing is that you can go into HomeGoods or Target with a budget in mind,and come out with exactly what you were looking for.

Rugs: When it comes to area rugs, Kantrowitz said there are many retailers online and in-person that offer standard size area rugs for affordable prices. Though, she does recommend upgrading to a premium rug pad so it feels more plush under your feet.

Pillows: Throw pillows and blankets are other decorative items that make your space feel more cozy without breaking the bank.

"A lot of retailers, not as well known retailers, will use the same Schumacher cravat fabrics that we use to make custom pieces," she said. "You can find them and if you have the time and the resources to be able to locate those specific manufacturer fabrics, then you could find a premade pillow at a fraction of the cost of custom."

Throws: Higher-end throws and blankets are made of cashmere fabrics are softer and of higher quality. But, she said there's still a lot of different blanket options available depending on your wants or needs.

"There's a lot of options in terms of throw blankets that I think people can use," she said. "If they don't wear well, then they can discard them and then buy new ones and kind of go through that cycle too. So, I think either option is okay."

Other tips to save

Kantrowitz said there are always going to be tricks to make pieces of furniture look custom and higher end without having to shell out more money for an expensive piece.

Swap out hardware: If you purchase a more affordable dresser or bedside tables, that you can switch out the hardware for something that looks higher end to make the piece look more luxurious.

Think ahead: Both Kantrowitz and Rubin said the most important thing is determining where you plan to spend the most time and what pieces you know you're going to keep for a long time, and go from there.

"It depends on where the familyspends most of their time. If it's the kitchen, invest in bar stools, so your family has some place to hang and sit while you're preparingdinner. If it's the basement, invest in an oversized, cozy sofa," Rubin said. "Splurge on pieces you plan on having for the long haul: dining table, sofa, beds," Rubin said. "Save on pieces that are more easily interchangeable and less 'permanent', like: area rugs, coffee tables and accent tables."

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter forNorthJersey.comand The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her onInstagram @maddiemcgay,onX @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for herNorth Jersey Livingnewsletter.Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her atMMcGay@gannett.com.

Save or splurge on furniture for your first home? North Jersey designers weigh in (2024)

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