Created in partnership with Indiana Design Center.
Designing and decorating your home is a major investment, but there are certain areas where you can thoughtfully save money without forgoing quality. We asked design professionals affiliated with Carmel’s Indiana Design Center for their expert advice to help you figure out where it is best to invest — and where it’s smart to save.
Kitchen
AMANDA LANTZ (RIGHT, WITH BARRY LANTZ), PRESIDENT AND INTERIOR DESIGNER OF LANTZ COLLECTIVE
LANTZCOLLECTIVE.COM
Spend:
“Spend on countertops, lighting (even under-cabinet lighting) and pantry organization.”
Save:
“Save on cabinetry by coming up with different storage solutions, such as floating shelves in areas.”
Living Room
MARY KAY KIEFER, RID, OWNER AND PRINCIPAL DESIGNER OF KIEFER DESIGN GROUP INC.
KIEFERDESIGNGROUP.COM
Spend:
“Add a great piece of oil canvas artwork of any subject that suits your fancy with your idea of beautiful, fun or exciting colors. Art will make your room come alive like you won’t believe! Also, examine and understand what a well-made piece of upholstered furniture is, such as a sofa or chair. It is very important that the construction inside of the piece is quality because that will determine the long-lasting comfort for you and your family. Poor inside construction will not hold up. It is not the fabric that will wear out. Spend money to get quality, and you won’t regret it, I promise!
Save:
“Paint is a quick, inexpensive way to transform a room. In addition, repurposing and recovering existing pieces of furniture can be exciting and fun. Be sure to look around your home to find a piece to give it new life in a new place. Look around your garage, basement or storage area. This also applies to artwork and décor! Move things around your house to create a new, fresh look.”
Bedroom
MARY ELLEN HODAPP (LEFT, WITH CHRISTY SOLDATIS), INTERIOR DESIGNER AND PRINCIPAL OF SASSY GREEN INTERIORS LLC
SASSYGREENINTERIORS.COM
@SASSYGREENINTERIORS
Spend:
“A good mattress and quality bedding would be an important place to spend in the master bedroom. Many people like to read in bed, so we would recommend good lighting for bedtime reading.”
Save:
“While it may be useful to have a chair in the bedroom, we wonder what the purpose is of a roomful of furniture and huge areas of extra square footage. In our experience, not many people entertain large numbers of people in their bedroom.”
Bathroom
KARA KAVENSKY, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER OF ADAM GIBSON DESIGN
ADAMGIBSONDESIGN.COM
@ADAMGIBSONDESIGN
Spend:
“Lighting! Having good lighting is important in a bathroom, so utilize natural light wherever possible — this is really true for ALL rooms.
Save:
“Tubular skylights, like Solatube’s, are less expensive, easier to install and often provide more daylight than conventional skylights.”
Kids Rooms
SALLIE J. LORD, FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL DESIGNER OF GREYHUNT INTERIORS
GREYHUNTINTERIORS.COM
@GREYHUNTINTERIORS
Spend:
“Kids transition through phases, but your investment doesn’t have to. Invest in good furniture pieces that can grow with them. Invest in good window treatments, lighting and core pieces that can transition through phases of growth.”
Save:
“Save your money on rugs, bedding, art and décor. These are items that can be replaced as the taste changes.”
Office
ASHLEIGH WOMACK (LEFT), ASSISTANT, AND JUDY BATES, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER OF JB DESIGNS, LLC
JUDYBATESDESIGNS.COM
@JUDY.BATES.DESIGNS
Spend:
“For this client, we spent by adding a custom bookcase that houses files and a printer, a new desk chair, a new rug, a new chandelier and accessories for the bookcase.”
Save:
“We saved by using a beloved family desk along with window treatments from a previous home. The desk is the focal point of the room, while the new additions make it comfortable for today’s lifestyle. Marrying the old and the new makes a room have character, feel lived in and allows it to become a true reflection of the homeowner.”
Stephanie Groves is a Maven Space Advisory Board Member and contributor, and she has too many dogs to ever have anything nice in her home.
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