At Rousseau’s, we are firm believers that style does NOT have a price tag. This applies just as much to your home as it does your wardrobe. You can absolutely achieve a beautifully decorated home on a limited budget once you learn to spend thoughtfully – and shop like a designer.

Here are a few tips you can use to pull together any room without breaking the bank.

Don’t turn your nose up at secondhand

Many folks (especially younger) pass up hand-me-downs from relatives because they feel the style is too traditional, or just doesn’t fit with their aesthetic. This is a completely valid reason to turn something down, and we aren’t advocating for taking in pieces that you truly dislike or will date your home. However, there can be absolute MAGIC in a coat of paint/stain and/or a fabulous fabric.

Often, thrifted, antique, or second hand pieces are of significantly better quality than much of what’s on the market today, especially at a more modest price point. These pieces will last much longer than inexpensive new furniture, and inject an abundance of character into your home.

If you need to purchase “placeholder” piece (i.e. something that will do the job until you find/can afford your dream piece), going secondhand will not only save you money, but is much more environmentally sustainable option. 

Antique rugs are a great investment, and you can often find amazing quality wool rugs for a decent price and they will last you for decades even high traffic areas.

Go high/low

Buying high/low is a practice all of us here at Rousseau’s live by – both in our homes and wardrobes. Think about how a great pair of earrings or fabulous blazer elevates a simple pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. 

The same principle applies to your home. Not every piece can or should be the showstopper, and you don’t have to splurge on every piece in order to have a polished, put together, and well-decorated home. 

Generally speaking, it’s worth it in the long run to invest in classic staple pieces, while spending less on the extras. However, we know this is not always possible based on budgetary concerns, and you would be amazed at how a luxury toss pillow can elevate an Ikea sofa… and vice versa.

These three vignettes from our showroom demonstrate the power of high/low. All of the accessories are under $150, but when paired with higher end lighting, mirrors, and artwork – they look luxe.

Depending on your lifestyle and existing pieces, you can decide for yourself which pieces in particular you would rather spend vs. save on, but the main takeaway is that if everything in your space is cheap.. it will look cheap. Whereas, when you mix and match, the better quality pieces magically elevate everything else. 

Be Patient 

When you’re decorating on a budget, you’re likely not going to be able to do everything at once – and that’s okay! The worst mistake you can make if you don’t have an excess of funds is rush the process. Generally speaking, this means either you’ve cheaped out on everything (and your home will show it), or you’ve purchased pieces just because they were on sale (we’ve all been there, but a deal on the wrong piece is not actually a deal.) 

The outcome here is you either have to live in misery with your mistakes, or spend MORE money to replace them – which adds up quickly. Poorly made items that are heavily used (like your sofa) will also likely need to be replaced more frequently, adding cost that may outstrip the initial investment on something better quality. 

Buying good quality ONCE will save you money in the long run. Not only that, but “slow decorating” as we like to call it, often yields a richer, warmer, and more unique result.

Think of decorating like a journey of collecting meaningful pieces that tell your story. Meaningful, layered interiors take time to come to fruition, so don’t rush the process.