[www.keralites.net] Splurge or Save!

 

Splurge or Save       Where should you cut corners when decorating a home, and what items should you spend on? Interior decorators tell you how to divide your budget Veena Gomes-Patwardhan mirrorfeedback@timesgroup.com TWEETS @MumbaiMirror Whether it's time to give your home a much needed facelift or whether you're moving into a new place and wish to do it up stylishly, all your renovation dreams must fit neatly into the confines of your budget.Spend on a very fancy bar and you may be left with no money to stock it; pick up that branded recliner you've always wanted and you may have to pass on that gorgeous, designer floor lamp or on painting the kitchen wall. Decisions such as these can make home renovation confusing. What items should one splurge on? Where should one cut corners? Start with your game plan Decorating a home, is of course, a very personal process, so your colour palette and choice of furniture may be uniquely yours. However, what applies to everyone is that she or he must prioritise. One thing to consider is what items will you get the most use out of. These, naturally, should be at the top of your priority list. If you entertain frequently, for instance, you may want to invest in comfortable bar stools, or if you love to spend your evenings with a good book, it may be worthwhile to invest in a plush reading chair and a nice floor lamp. Milind Pai, an architect, believes, "No matter what your budget is, it's important not to lose sight of the fact that the point of this renovation project is, ultimately, to add value to your home. Whether you're opting for a complete renovation, just changing the furniture, or simply redecorating the walls, embarking on any interior designing or decorating project must be something you put your heart into." Pai also points out, "When you think of all the work that needs to get done, this can be overwhelming. But, once you have a list of priorities ready, you could perhaps try to look at each point on it as a small step you need to complete, rather than thinking of all the work that will go into accomplishing the whole project. Take it one step at a time." Shishu Yadava, a principal designer, with a private firm, adds, "The thing that worries most people is whether they will be able to fit their dream décor into their budget.But, with a little direction, you can create a look that oozes luxury on a modest budget. It just boils down to good planning." For instance, you can use accents (things like lamps, cushions, throws and rugs etc.) to perk up the ambiance in just about any room without incurring a huge cost."You'd be surprised at how dramatically these trimmings can change a room's look. A complete overhaul may not even be necessary at times if you just replace an old coffee table, get some patterned pillows and throw in a pretty rug." When to splurge "Redesigning interiors calls for putting the focus on optimising the space and functionality of a room," says Pai. "Sometimes, you've got an idea on how you'd like to decorate a space and then come across a statement piece that fits perfectly into your vision. This could be an imported lighting feature, an elaborate mirror for a wall, or even a pair of armchairs whose design cannot be easily replicated by a carpenter. Occasionally, if it's something that you really have to have, it's okay to splurge." It's also not a bad idea to spend a little more on new, energy-efficient appliances like a refrigerator or microwave.Think of these as investment pieces."As you will spend a lot of time on a sofa or on your mattress, these things need to be comfortable.There's no point in trying to save on these features, as a cheap couch or mattress could end up costing you a lot more ­ you may develop back problems." Besides, Pai points out, "ergonomically-designed furniture will not only give you that sense of comfort, it will also lend your space greater aesthetic appeal." Yadava adds, "Designer clothes are great confidence boosters. It's true, they may make the wearer feel special, but they are also usually cut very well and so they fit better too.Similarly, a house with a well decorated interior does more than boost your happiness quotient.Spend on the right things for the right reasons and it will actually serve to boost your general wellbeing too." A good rule of thumb, he feels, is to spend more on items that can affect your health: splurge on items for the living area where you spend most of your time.He adds, "good quality sofas, beds, mattresses, refrigerators and kitchen hobs will be worth every rupee you spend on them." Some accessories are also worth spending on, he says. When to save "Reserve a smaller part of the budget for the walls and ceilings. You can also save on flooring, as there are many options in this area now: you can use natural stones or a variety of tiles to adopt just about any new look that you want to achieve," Pai says. "Take the stucco paint finish, for instance. This is a durable option that's also pleasing to the eye. You can cut corners when it comes to wall art too. Try refurbishing an existing artwork or enhancing it with better lighting to save costs." To this list, Yadava adds, "Accents are where you save. Don't make impulse purchases and throw away your hard-earned money on purely decorative artefacts or on items like corner tables that you don't really use much." He suggests, "Spend more on the couch, but less on the throw pillows; invest in a sturdy, stylish dining table, but buy inexpensive china in beautiful designs for daily use. If you simply must use that exorbitant fabric for your curtains, choose a design such as blinds that utilises less fabric."

 

 

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