Saves and Splurges For When You Design a Custom Home

Planning to design a custom home? As an East Texas interior designer, I have my opinions on what deserves a splurge and what you can save on. Interior design can definitely get expensive, but using these tips can help you figure out what’s worth it and maybe what isn’t for your home design. 

What to Splurge on When You Design a Custom Home

• Countertops: 

One thing I always tell my clients to splurge on is countertops. Stone adds such an eye catching appeal to a home, so invest in several different colors and types throughout your home. Need countertop ideas? See the guide to my favorite types to use. Bonus tip - use the stone to place on fireplaces, run it up the wall on your backsplashes, use it on your tub surrounds, walls in your shower, or your shower bench. If a client is willing to splurge in this category, I love adding it in these areas and also other unexpected areas in a home. I believe doing so, really makes it feel custom and luxurious. 

• Floors: 

Floors are one of the major things you want to be durable and long-lasting in your home. If you are trying to decide between engineered hardwood vs. real hardwood floors, here are your main differences. Engineered is comprised of multiple layers with a wood veneer finish on top. This makes is not a susceptible to being damaged by moisture and temperature changes. Hardwood on the other hand will have to be babied a lot more than engineered wood and is pricier but it will last for 100 years or more and can be refinished. If you decide to opt for an engineered hardwood in your home, you want to make sure it’s a high-quality one, so they do last longer. If not, you will be dealing with chipping and pealing from that top layer.  If you’re leaning more towards vinyl flooring, be sure to invest in a thick vinyl that has multiple layers behind it, 5mm is usually the thickest one you can get and is the only one I will use. 

• Custom Cabinets:

One of the top ways to elevate your home design is to invest in custom cabinets throughout your home. One of my favorite things to add to a luxury kitchen is cabinets all the way to the ceiling, especially with a 9, 10, or 11 foot ceiling. This makes a kitchen feel so grand, elegant, and custom, which I’m sure is important to you if you’re wanting to design a custom home! 

• Front Doors:

Your front door is a guest’s very first impression of your home, so invest in those front doors! They can get a little pricey depending on the material and the sizes being used, but I really do think it is worth the splurge. 

What You Can Save On When You Design a Custom Home

• Lights: 

There are virtually endless options for lights. Even if you want to elevate some spaces, like your foyer or kitchen, with a more expensive light fixture option, a big majority of light fixtures for your home can be fairly inexpensive!

• Hardware: 

If you decide to get custom cabinets and quality countertops, it can be so easy to find an inexpensive hardware option that still looks great. Again with hardware, there are so many options and it can be easy to find a great option that doesn’t break the bank. Bonus tip: learn how to properly mix metals by reading this blog post. It can be a great tip to use when deciding on your cabinet hardware. 

• Tile: 

Take it from me, there are plenty of tiles that are high-quality, durable, and will look gorgeous that can still save you money when you design a custom home. I even have a whole guide to picking out bathroom and shower tiles here that can help you with this! 

• Paint:

A rule of thumb: you don’t have to get expensive paint for a luxury home, just a good painter. The quality of the service is much more important than the quality of the paint itself. As a Texas interior designer, my go-to paint comes from Sherwin Williams. 

Brittney Lane | Longview, Texas Interior Designer

Ready to design a custom home? Check out more interior designer tips to help you, like the best fabrics for couches and the best decorative throw pillow size guide, and visit my Pinterest to find modern home inspiration, luxury home inspiration, and European home inspiration today. If you’re ready to get a professional’s help designing your custom home, click here to book a consultation with me today.