Shoestring Home: Budgeting for "The Bones"

Here's an idea that is going to sound backwards: Save money by spending it. Surely, I didn't mean that. Oh, but I did. Thinking differently about how you decorate your space — big purchases first, then little ones — will save you a ton of money in the long run.

I'm talking about "the bones" of home furnishings: the big ticket items; the things you put off buying because you never seem to have the money in the budget. But, by purchasing those items first, you will actually pad your budget later on down the line.

Here's why budgeting for and spending smartly on "the bones" will save you money:

SHOP FOR A STRONG FOUNDATION
Good bones are foundational to a decorating plan you can live with for years. Make the bones the priority of your home furnishings budget and view them as the cornerstone elements of any room. Think of it like you would your wardrobe: certain pieces of furniture are like the quintessential little black dress. Good bones should be thought of as the foundation, and accordingly should take up the bulk of your decorating budget. Your investment will pay off over time.

FILL IN WITH FRUGAL "FLUFF"
Strong bones lay the groundwork for making your house a home, around which you can redecorate on the cheap with more affordable accessories. Beyond shopping for quality when you lay the foundation of your room, shop for pieces that will create the core aesthetic of your personal style. Once these are in place, you can change your style over time and redecorate on the cheap. There's a reason why beige couches are the top seller in any home furnishings store: Buying neutrals is a major cost-saving strategy. Once you've created a strong and versatile foundation, you can then bring in color, pattern, and texture — getting more creative and experimenting by take bigger style risks. It's a lot easier to say goodbye to $20 plaid pillows than the $250 plaid couch you thought was "so you."

DON'T CUT CORNERS TO CUT COSTS
You can't skimp on the best quality bones, but you should always shop for the best value. It’s important to understand that this strategy requires you to spend good money on good pieces of furniture. But, I didn't say it requires you to overpay for furniture. Put your frugality to work for you and shop for value without being cheap. Buy the best piece of furniture you can find in your price range, keeping your eye on the long-term investment you're making. If you can wait a little longer, set aside a few bucks from each paycheck and look for big sales and good deals at local home furnishings stores, Craigslist, or garage sales. Your home and your budget will thank you years from now.

MANDI'S TOP 5 "BONES"

Here's what I would define as the bones for any good Shoestring home:

Couches
Allocate a significant portion of your budget to this purchase. Couches get a lot of wear and tear and they make a significant impression on guests, setting the tone of your entire room.

Beds
The amount of visual space a good bed takes up in your bedroom means it makes a big impression. Cheap beds and bedding make a room look — and feel — cheap.

Lamps
Although technically an accessory, I'm a huge fan of beautiful — which can mean expensive — lamps. There's also a big quality problem with inexpensive lamps. They often look crooked and the shades don't hang properly. Trust me on this one: pony up for nice lamps.

Tables
As with couches, dining and kitchen tables play a huge role in the design of and setting for your room. Thrift store or antique tables are a great option, but again, spend money here (or time to repair it if you found a fixer upper). You can always pair mismatched or thrifted chairs with a good table.

Rugs
Rugs are a key source of color and comfort, especially if you've got hardwood floors. They provide a major source of color and design inspiration and can last years, shifting from room to room as you move or as you switch up your décor. 

Got questions for Mandi about budgeting for "the bones" or otherwise creating the Shoestring home of your dreams? Leave her a message by commenting below, or visit her blog and shop at ShoestringHome.com.