Image: Clair Strong Interior Design
A great deal of my job as an interior designer is financial management. I am always tied to a budget and many of my clients hire me because they know I can save them money. Not necessarily by securing large discounts or finding cheaper alternatives (although that does happen) but by saving them from making costly mistakes or hiring cowboy builders. I’m part accountant, part project manager and part designer.
So when it comes to making a big purchase for your home (and I’ve made a fair few for clients over the years) I thought I’d share the questions I ask myself, and my clients, before investing in a high price item:
- Do you need it?
Need isn’t always an important factor (sometimes you just really want something and that’s OK), but it’s generally a good place to start. Will the item solve a problem, serve a purpose or otherwise be of value in your home? If it’s not functional, it might not be worth spending a large portion of the budget on at this stage.
- Will it fit?
This is a two-part question: will it physically fit the space and will it fit within the interior design scheme? If the answer is no and no, put your wallet away!
- Can you think of 5 reasons why you shouldn’t buy it?
This is a tricky one, but if you can think of five reasons why you shouldn’t have that item, you are much less likely to make a costly impulse purchase. If your reasons for outweigh your reasons against, you know you’re making a sound decision.
- Is the purchase within your budget?
It can be tempting to pay for things with credit or run over your budget ever-so-slightly, but you may regret it later. If the item doesn’t fit your budget can you find an alternative that does? With that in mind…
5. Is there a cheaper alternative?
Shopping around can save you a great deal of money – especially on high priced items like furniture and fitted kitchens. Unless you’re buying bespoke, you are likely to find a similar item at a lower price somewhere else. You can then use this lower price to ask for a discount on the original item (many companies offer a price match) or simply buy the cheaper option.
6. Will you still love the item weeks, months and years from now?
I am a traditionalist when it comes to splurging on expensive pieces; I buy high-quality classics that are likely to stand the test of time. It makes little sense to spend lots of money on ultra fashionable pieces that will look dated within a year. Similarly, if the item is poor quality or overly delicate it may not be suitable for a busy family home with pets.
