High End Design: Low End Cost

As you make plans for a home renovation, you want to know that your design will look great, but you would also like to know that it is not going to cost you everything in your bank account. Is there any balance between high end design and low end cost? In this article, we will break down how you can achieve a modern, contemporary look without having to spend an arm and a leg.

First and foremost, always remember that your sense of style may be drastically different than someone else’s. What you think is stylish and unique may be old school or classic to someone else. Never base your high end design on what society says is high fashion, stay true to yourself and your own ideas. There are no right or wrong brand names that you should feel forced to choose in order to design something that is truly fabulous.

Next, there is no unwritten rule that says you have to buy the top brand names in order to achieve a fashionable look. Consider some of the recent trends in painting for example. One of the hottest looks for your wall today is to paint stripes, especially pin stripes or contrasts. Whether you purchase expensive brand name paint or a cheaper store brand, chances are good that your outcome will be virtually the same. You can still get a classic, elegant stripe from a lesser-known brand of paint.

You do not have to buy the most expensive brand to be fashionable, but the cheapest option will definitely look “low end”. One of the best compromises for high end design versus low end cost is to purchase things that are in the middle of the price range, neither the highest nor the absolute cheapest. This way, you get the best of both worlds with a more durable and valuable design, but with a much cheaper price tag.

Another common solution: Things do not have to be brand new in order to be considered high end. Thrift stores, yard sales, antique stores, and similar places can be the source of high end furniture and artwork if you watch carefully. The price tags are much cheaper here, and you can find treasures every once in a while, such as exquisite wooden art sculptures ora bold contemporary wall art amongst the odds and ends. In addition, recovering or reupholstering an item can sometimes lead to an amazingly high end accessory or addition to your collection, still costing much less than brand new.

Finally, you do not have to purchase everything at one time. There is nothing wrong with breaking a project up into more manageable pieces and getting things a little bit at a time. You could also choose to save up for the big-ticket items, starting with smaller items to furnish the room. A savings or money market account is a wonderful way to save for high end design, a little bit at a time. Also consider asking a friend or relative for permission to buy something they have in storage. You might be surprised what is hiding in someone’s attic or basement, just waiting to be discovered by the right person.