DESIGN HANDBOOK
Today on the blog, we’re discussing the topic that every designer likes to avoid: Your decorating budget and the cost to decorate a room. You may be asking yourself the following questions:
Maybe you just moved into a new home, maybe you’re tired of your current furniture, or maybe you just need a fresh new look. Whatever the reason, when you’re all ready to start your project and start shopping for furniture, that inevitable question drifts into your head like a beleaguering raincloud: How much is this going to cost me?
From new homes to empty nests, our interior design team is here to help you love where you live.
From new homes to empty nests, our interior design team is here to help you love where you live.
Basically, if you are you wondering how to decorate a room on a budget of any size, you’ve come to the right place!
Luckily, evaluating and pricing furniture and home decor is our area of expertise here at Kathy Kuo Home. But before you read further, we need to make a few disclaimers regarding this article about what it costs to furnish a room:
1. The average spend for the furniture items we’ve listed are purposefully at the higher end of the spectrum.
Why did we do this? Almost everyone tends to go over their budget when furnishing their space—so we created a budget breakdown that accounts for this fact by providing a little wiggle room. You’ll find that we’ve written up two budgets for each room type (and what it the cost is to decorate it), one budget that represents the higher end of a comprehensive interior design project and one budget that includes a slightly more scaled back project with pricing toward the less-expensive end of what would still still considered an upscale project. On average, our clients tend to spend somewhere in between, and the budget per line item is definitely variable.
2. At The Kuotes, we represent exclusive, high-quality designer furniture.
You won’t find our product or our level of design services at big box retailers, and the specialty of our brand is something we’re proud of. The prices reflected in today’s article are based on our clients and our extensive experience in interior design and product manufacturing. Our budget breakdown therefore lists the price points we believe will provide you with beautiful, long-lasting designer furniture.
However, any good designer will work within your budget, and later we’ll even discuss which items we believe you should invest in and which items from our assortment you can purchase at a slightly lower price. Stick to these tips and the cost to decorate will feel totally manageable.
Note: In the pricing charts below, the dollar amounts in the right-hand columns refer to the total price of however many of a particular item you’ll need (ie: If we recommend a quantity of two side tables, you’ll see the total price for both rather than the individual price for one).
3. Keep in mind that this article does not discuss labor or renovation costs. Today, we’re talking strictly furniture.
Now that that’s officially out of the way, let’s get this budget breakdown started! You’ll be so excited when you start to save money. Budget is a tricky subject. If you have custom pieces, custom drapery, large rooms, or a more maximalist design style, there can definitely be additional expenses we didn’t cover in this cost guide. But if you’re just starting the design process, we hope this article helped you get a better idea of how much to expect to spend on your furniture.
We will also note that at KKH, we offer two tiers of Design Services: Our $500 Redesign package requires a $5,000 deposit toward a $10,000 minimum furnishings spend–you receive a design tailored for you that transforms your space and elevates your style; and then our customizable Renovate package can be added on to the Redesign–this is the ideal choice for new homes, renovations, and custom built or large scale design projects. In both cases, the $5,000 deposit will be issued as store credit toward furnishings spend.
The living room is often the largest room in the house and frequently hosts the most furniture. How much does furnishing and decorating a living room cost? Your budget will vary based on the size of your room. Put quite simply, the larger the living room the larger the budget. We strongly suggest that you invest in your sofa and rug first. Getting these pieces right is as crucial to getting the scale of your room right as your color scheme is, so we always recommend custom sofas sized perfectly to your space and a fill that’s comfortable for you.
A custom sized rug also grounds a room by making everything else look put in place. A high quality rug gives the entire room a luxurious feel, as opposed to a big-ticket accent piece that may be beautiful but not affect the overall aesthetic of the space. So if you’re looking to save, cut down on your accent pieces, decor items, and window treatments. Planning on redoing the living room? Read on below for our budget breakdown.
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For a High-End Project |
For a Standard Project |
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| Living Room Item | Quantity | Total Cost | Living Room Item | Quantity | Total Cost | |
| Sofa | 1 | $5,000 | Sofa | 1 | $3,000 | |
| Living Room Chair | 2 | $6,000 | Living Room Chair | 2 | $4,000 | |
| Coffee Table | 1 | $3,000 | Coffee Table | 1 | $1,000 | |
| Side/End Tables | 2 | $4,000 | Side/End Tables | 2 | $1,000 | |
| Table Lamps | 2 | $2,000 | Table Lamps | 2 | $700 | |
| Rug | 1 | $8,000 | Rug | 1 | $2,500 | |
| Floor Lamp | 1 | $1,500 | Chandelier | 1 | $2,500 | |
| Chandelier | 1 | $5,000 | Pillows | 4 | $1,000 | |
| Pillows | 6 | $3,000 | Throw Blanket | 1 | $250 | |
| Throw Blanket | 2 | $1,000 | Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $1,000 | |
| Console | 1 | $2,000 | Accessories | Will Vary | $500 | |
| Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $6,000 | Approx. Total Cost | $17,450 | ||
| Accessories | Will Vary | $3,000 | ||||
| Approx. Total Cost | $49,500 | |||||
For the dining room, the spend should go mainly toward the table and chairs. That’s probably not a surprise. But in our designs, we try to also throw in a statement chandelier or statement rug that’ll truly give you space wow factor.
Once again, cost will be dependent on the size of your room, table, and how many people you want your table to seat. Our budget breakdown is based on a standard six-person table. Unsure what table size you need? Find the dining table size that’s right for you by reading our article on how to create a perfectly scaled dining room!
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For a High-End Project |
For a Standard Project |
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| Dining Room Item | Quantity | Total Cost | Dining Room Item | Quantity | Total Cost | |
| Table | 1 | $5,000 | Table | 1 | $2,500 | |
| Dining Chair | 6 | $12,000 | Dining Chair | 6 | $3,600 | |
| Chandelier | 1 | $5,000 | Chandelier | 1 | $2,500 | |
| Buffet/Sideboard | 1 | $5,000 | Buffet/Sideboard | 1 | $2,000 | |
| Sconces | 2 | $1,000 | Rug | 1 | $2,500 | |
| Rug | 1 | $8,000 | Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $2,000 | |
| Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $5,000 | Accessories | Will Vary | $500 | |
| Accessories | Will Vary | $2,000 | Approx. Total Cost | $15,600 | ||
| Approx. Total Cost | $43,000 | |||||
For the bedroom, spend money on the bed. It’s simple, but we’re serious. A classic, high-quality bed is an investment that’ll basically last you a lifetime, and it immediately elevates the look of a room! Another piece often forgotten in the bedroom furniture list is a bench (or some other form of seating) for getting ready and putting your shoes on in the morning.
If you’re looking to save on your primary bedroom, opt for more affordable nightstands and bedside lighting, as those pieces can be changed and updated throughout the years. Need another budget cruncher? While we encourage to get the highest quality bedding the budget will allow, you can frequently find simple quality bedding options at big box retailers.
If you’re furnishing a guest room, rather than the primary bedroom, you can anticipate spending slightly less, assuming it’s a smaller room (therefore you’ll go with a smaller rug and less accent furniture and accessories) with a smaller sized bed (a full or twin, rather than a queen or king).
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For a High-End Project |
For a Standard Project |
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| Bedroom Item | Quantity | Total Cost | Bedroom Item | Quantity | Total Cost | |
| Bed | 1 | $7,000 | Bed | 1 | $3,000 | |
| Bedding & Pillows | Will Vary | $2,000 | Bedding and Pillows | Will Vary | $800 | |
| Bench | 1 | $3,000 | Rug | 1 | $2,500 | |
| Rug | 1 | $8,000 | Chandelier | 1 | $2,500 | |
| Chandelier | 1 | $5,000 | Dresser | 1 | $2,000 | |
| Dresser | 1 | $4,000 | Nightstands | 2 | $2,000 | |
| Nightstands | 2 | $4,000 | Table Lamps | 2 | $700 | |
| Table Lamps | 2 | $2,000 | Mirror | Will Vary | $1,000 | |
| Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $5,000 | Accessories | Will Vary | $500 | |
| Accessories | Will Vary | $1,500 | Approx. Total Cost | $15,000 | ||
| Approx. Total Cost | $41,500 | |||||
When you’re designing a nursery for your baby-to-be, the first thing to remember is that the room is for you and your partner as much as it is for baby. Make sure that the nursery furniture you choose is in line with the design of the rest of your home, and make sure that the space really serene and comfortable as well as baby-friendly.
When budgeting for your nursery, start with the non-negotiable anchor pieces–the crib, dresser or changer, and glider–and then add decor, extra furnishings, and accessories.
You can find high-quality cribs at a variety of price-points, but it’s never a bad idea to consider a crib that can grow with baby by converting to a toddler bed and so forth. You may ultimately spend more at first, but you’ll save in the long run. When it comes to dressers, gliders, bookcases, and storage items, you’ll maximize your budget by choosing pieces you can easily keep using once your child is out of the baby stage.
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For a High-End Project |
For a Standard Project |
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| Nursery Item | Quantity | Total Cost | Nursery Item | Quantity | Total Cost | |
| Crib | 1 | $3,000 | Crib | 1 | $1,000 | |
| Crib Mattress | 1 | $500 | Crib Mattress | 1 | $250 | |
| Crib Bedding | Will Vary | $400 | Crib Bedding | Will Vary | $300 | |
| Dresser/Changer | 1 | $1,500 | Dresser/Changer | 1 | $950 | |
| Bookcase | 1 | $1,500 | Bookcase | 1 | $950 | |
| Glider/Rocker | 1 | $1,500 | Glider/Rocker | 1 | $750 | |
| Overhead Light | 1 | $1,500 | Overhead Light | 1 | $800 | |
| Ottoman | 1 | $700 | Ottoman | 1 | $400 | |
| Lamp | 2 | $3,000 | Lamp | 2 | $1,000 | |
| Rug | 1 | $2,000 | Rug | 1 | $500 | |
| Bassinet | 1 | $2,200 | Toy Storage | 1 | $500 | |
| Toy Storage | 2 | $1,000 | Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $2,000 | |
| Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $2,500 | Accessories | Will Vary | $500 | |
| Accessories | Will Vary | $700 | Approx. Total Cost | $10,000 | ||
| Approx. Total Cost | $22,000 | |||||
If life since 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that a stylish and functional home office is an essential part of the home. We recommend taking stock of how often you’ll use the space and for what kind of work. Will you be using your home office five days a week, or more sporadically? Do you need space for multiple computer monitors or just a laptop?
Of course, a desk and an office chair are the centerpiece of any well-designed home office. You’ll want to consider both comfort and style, and it’s worth it to allocate a healthy amount of your office budget to these staples. Depending on the amount of space you’re working with, it can also be a nice touch to add a bookcase and an occasional chair with a side table as well.
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For a High-End Project |
For a Standard Project |
|||||
| Office Item | Quantity | Total Cost | Office Item | Quantity | Total Cost | |
| Desk | 1 | $3,000 | Desk | 1 | $1,500 | |
| Office Chair | 1 | $1,500 | Office Chair | 1 | $1,000 | |
| Bookcase | 1 | $4,500 | Bookcase | 1 | $2,000 | |
| Table Lamps | 2 | $2,000 | Table Lamps | 1 | $350 | |
| Overhead Light | 1 | $2,000 | Overhead Light | 1 | $1,000 | |
| Rug | 1 | $6,000 | Rug | 1 | $2,000 | |
| Occasional Chair | 1 | $2,000 | Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $1,500 | |
| Side/End Tables | 1 | $2,000 | Accessories | Will Vary | $650 | |
| Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $5,000 | Total Cost | $10,000 | ||
| Accessories | Will Vary | $1,500 | ||||
| Total Cost | $29,500 | |||||
Your entryway sets the tone for your whole home, so it really does make sense to treat it like a standalone room. The primary items you’ll want are statement making lighting, a chic console or sideboard, and a performance rug or runner that’s able. to withstand being in a high-traffic area.
For a high-end or larger-scale entryway, it’s always nice to also have a bench, and ample options for hanging coats, stashing shoes, and keeping umbrellas, bags, and additional outerwear. You’ll want to also plan for your budget to include room for a mirror to help add dimension, and art and accessories to add style and personality to your console table.
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For a High-End Project |
For a Standard Project |
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| Entryway Item | Quantity | Total Cost | Entryway Item | Quantity | Total Cost | |
| Console Table | 1 | $2,500 | Console Table | 1 | $1,500 | |
| Overhead Light | 1 | $2,000 | Overhead Light | 1 | $1,500 | |
| Bench | 1 | $1,500 | Bench | 1 | $700 | |
| Rug | 1 | $1,800 | Rug | 1 | $1,300 | |
| Coatrack | 1 | $1,500 | Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $4,000 | |
| Umbrella Stand | 1 | $700 | Accessories | Will Vary | $1,000 | |
| Mirror/Art | Will Vary | $5,000 | Total Cost | $10,000 | ||
| Accessories | Will Vary | $2,000 | ||||
| Total Cost | $17,000 | |||||
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
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