So many things in life seem to be a balancing act: work and life, exercise and rest, alone time and family time. It's always a give and take of choosing to invest in one or the other at any given time, letting the two sides balance out.
Balancing the investment in your home is no different; with any given budget, there will be spending and saving, investing and holding, and even indulging and skipping. All of this is in service of sticking to a family's personalized budget, likely planned as part of the greater financial echo systems, because as much as we'd all like a money tree in our backyard, that just isn't happening.
As mentioned in a previous post, I like to get to know the families I'm working with to understand their home's function and their planned overall investment. When we can identify those two things, they create an outline for our project's investment, prioritizing where to spend and where to save within the project deliverables.
While no two families are the same, there are frequent themes in the function that families seek that rise to the top of the list repeatedly. In the next two blog posts, I will break down those top-priority investments and what to look for when making them in your home.
Today, we're jumping into the investment-worthy pieces. These things help make your home function, feel, and look its best, day in and day out. You'll see a common theme here: the things we walk on, sit on, or touch frequently are the pieces that need to work the hardest and, therefore, worth the investment. They are the things you interact with so often you almost forget that they're there, and yet when they aren't functioning the way you need them, you instantly notice. They're also the items you're least likely to change out as frequently, warranting spending to get it right vs. buying it twice.
So, without further ado, let us jump into the investment list:
Rugs: Imagine if your rug had a pedometer and the steps taken on it were tracked daily. Can you imagine how much that could add up to in certain spots of your house, or particular spots of a rug, over time? All the reasons you need to consider what goes under your feet an investment in your home.
Things to look for in a durable rug that will withstand traffic:
Power loomed rugs are incredible for high-traffic areas for easy clean-up and even wear. Perfect for playrooms, TV rooms, and under dining tables.
Wool rugs are known for their durability, long life, and softness underfoot. Look for them in woven, hand-knotted, and looped. These are ideal in living rooms and bedrooms.
Natural materials like jute, sisal, and bamboo are strong and long-lasting rugs that can withstand almost everything. Perfect for entryways, mudrooms, and layering under a smaller rug.
1. Power loomed Rug: Billie Collection (Amber Lewis for Loloi Rugs)
2. Hand knotted Rug: Carla Hand-Knotted Wool Rug (Pottery Barn)
3. Jute Rug: Hannavan Jute Flatweave Rug (Rejuvination)
Sofas: Does anything get as much love as a sofa? I bet you can think of yours right now and picture how sitting in your favorite spot feels. I bet it's also a place to read, drink a glass of wine, eat food, act as a dog bed, and kid cuddle up. It's the end of the day and weekend hang-out spot for the whole family, and that is exactly why I always prioritize spending on a great sofa.
Things to consider when shopping for that worthwhile sofa:
Construction: An eight-way hand-tie is generally regarded as the holy grail of sofa construction, so look for that if possible. Also, look for frames constructed in hardwood and cushions with foam and downfilling.
Fabric: The durability and performance of upholstery fabric varies significantly, so make sure you're realistic about what this sofa will be up against. If it's your home's primary seating, look for performance-treated fabrics, leather, and natural materials such as canvas cotton.
Size: It's easy to want the largest, deepest sofa you can find, but measure and measure again to ensure your sofa will fit in your space without crowding it. Oh, and it must fit in the doorway, too!
1. Eight-way handed: Cambridge Sofa (Serena & Lily)
2. Foam and down filled: The Dune (Maiden Home)
3. Performance fabric: Isadora Performance Velvet Sofa (One Kings Lane)
Hardware: Pause for a moment and think of how many knobs, handles, pulls, hooks, and rods your home has; I bet it's more than you ever considered. I also bet you interact with these multiple times daily to open doors, kitchen cupboards, bathroom drawers, and mudroom hooks. These things can make or break our routines based on their ability to withstand all the pulling and hanging we do each day, and I will always look for quality in hardware.
Keep this in mind when shopping for new hardware:
Material: This is a personal preference, but look for continuity throughout your home by narrowing it down to 2, maybe 3, materials you will repeat in all the hardware throughout your house.
Coating: If you like the look of aged materials, opt for something unlacquered, meaning there is no finish on top of the metal. If you prefer hardware that will look new forever, then ensure your pieces are treated with a finish. Also, polished vs. brushed will yield a shiny or matte surface.
Size: Rules can be broken, but a good guideline is to ensure that pull length is about 1/3 the height of the cabinet door and 1/3 the width of the cabinet drawer
I hope this investment guide is helpful for you and your family. Next week, I'll examine the other side of this balancing act by discussing things in your budget to save on.
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