Good Design Doesn’t Have to be Expensive!

If you think good design is expensive think again!

Do you think good design is only possible for the exorbitantly rich, because that couldn’t be the furthest from the truth.

Everyone thinks that good design is almost unattainable.

I want to illustrate that great design doesn’t have to be expensive!

I want you to take the power back and realize that good design for you is out there. All you have to do is get really clear on who you are and what you want before beginning.

I know that this is the single biggest concern of most of my clients because they are real people with real lives who don’t have unlimited money!

I hear time and time again from my first time clients how fearful they are of spending too much money on design and how maybe they need to wait and they don’t deserve a full re-design of a specific space or their home.

I think the design industry unhealthily perpetuates some narratives. Like good design vs. bad design equals expensive things vs inexpensive things. Or like good design costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and as long as the things you buy are expensive you have good taste...

these premises are completely false.

Good design is informed by the feelings of how you want to live only. Find those feelings and use that open mind to design your home.

Good design also ONLY occurs when you are clear on your OWN aesthetic and return to your dreams when out in the world choosing items that you are going to be living with.

Stop putting yourself outside the shop window longing for that new environment. You can afford a big change for a little amount of money.

With an interior that brings you joy, with intentional purchases you can have your cake and eat it too!

If you trust yourself (or your designer) you can have a beautiful space inexpensively,

the alternative is staying outside the design world in the cold.

Remember it doesn’t take a full overhaul to create change, but it does take clarity on your feelings and an ability to understand on a deeper level what items inform your aesthetic, no matter where you find them!.

Here are my steps to allow for big change on a smaller budget!

Get clear on your vibe:
This is the most important step. Figure out what feelings you want this space to evoke for you. If you already have a space and it doesn’t give you the feeling that you want, ask yourself why. this can help highlight what needs to change to allow these new feelings to be a part of your environment.
For example let’s say you want to feel cozy and relaxed in your environment. But your current living room has all hard surfaces to sit on because you inherited them. When thinking about your vibe you realize that you need to add some more upholstered pieces that you can ink in to!
Figure out style and aesthetic:
Now we need inspiration! Do you know what your design style is? More importantly do you know what your aesthetic is?! If not no worries I have some videos and other posts on these:
It’s REALLY important that you figure this out on your own (or through me as your designer) before you begin creating a new environment. Your style, but especially your aesthetic is your north star and the visuals + feelings that you need to return to over and over when you begin your design journey. It’s especially important when you are looking for less expensive pieces. Don’t settle for things that don’t fit your vision, trust me you can find something that works for your wallet and your aesthetic!
Ask yourself what you love already:
Maybe not everything needs to be overhauled in your space! Like the example in #1 look at all of the things that you already own. Maybe when you think of your vibe and your aesthetic some things can be saved because they still reflect what you love! Look in other spaces is there anything that you can repurpose as a better fit of your ideals in another space. Maybe in order to reach your design goals all you have to do is purge some things that no longer resonate with you! There is no other more inexpensive design idea than this!
*I have another article on “when to know how to use what you already own” if this helps!
Look everywhere:
If you want to save some cash time to look at places you may not have previously thought. Look at second-hand shops, garage sales, thrift shops, estate sales, etsy, ebay, consignment shops, and my favorite place… the side of the road! Stay creative you never know what you may find out in the world. It’s what you pick from these places in alignment with your aesthetic, that your environment becomes truly yours and not a cookie cutter copy of design styles!
Go slow:
If you want an environment that really reflects you, and isn’t expensive this is a process. Think about everything in your life, is anything ever really done?! Find comfort in this any movement towards you authenticity in your environment is positive. When you continue to make small changes you will feel big energy shifts I promise. Just make sure you stay in alignment with your vibe and your aesthetic as you go and you will be happy!
Keep an open mind:
If you want to save some cash and have a space with some character that actually speaks to you you need to look at spaces that you may be unfamiliar with! It’s time to think outside the box!
Here are some practical, inexpensive interior design ideas…
• Maybe you have a piece in another room that you love the shape of but hate the dark finish. Re-finish this yourself, or hire someone to do it for you!
• Maybe when looking into your style and aesthetic you find an adorable ottoman that you can’t afford. Is there a way to get a generic ottoman and recover it in a cute fabric? Or hire someone to do that for you?
• Maybe you found some art thats gorgeous but simple… Could you be brave and try your hand a recreating it?! You may surprise yourself!
Ask for help:
Maybe you are still overwhelmed and are stuck on #1 and #2. Do you have a friend who’s taste you love and trust that can help you on this journey? Maybe you would like a designer friend to help you. I’m always here to help!

I wanted to give you a concrete example of good design being inexpensive, so here is a gorgeous living room I designed…

COMPLETELY with Ikea furniture.

I wanted to show you that this is real! This entire living room is designed entirely with Ikea products. From the bookcase to the pouf, you can find all of these pieces at Ikea. I’ve listed a lot of the larger pieces below, but you can find all the accessories on Ikea too!

I am not affiliated with Ikea.

Sofa

Pillows (left to right):