Have you ever wondered how to make a high/low design mix work?

Boy, do we get a lot of questions about this! We love the idea of mixing in pieces that you already own, have inherited, or have thrifted and ultimately don’t break the bank in order to complete your space.

You may have been saving up for ages for your home project and that’s great! But, we want you to get your money’s worth no matter what your project is. We also want to teach you strategies that allow you to stretch your budget through whatever spaces in your home that need a refresh or need new furnishings. You can do so and still purchase items that are super impactful for you space. Spread the wealth and ensure each area of your home is getting a bit of love.

Let’s talk through my strategies for getting that high/low mix in your own home.

GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR BUDGET

Must have items are typically in high traffic areas and are used everyday. I allocate more of a budget to the high traffic areas to ensure their wearability and longevity. Whether it’s a sofa that’s facing a TV or a chair you know will be sat in every day, you want to make sure those are the pieces you are investing a little more on.

A creative solution is shifting the budget for items that will not get as much use in a space. For instance, you may want to pull a little of the budget away from things like a coffee table, and instead, spend more of your budget on heavily used soft seating. The goal is adjusting your purchases to accommodate your ideal budget, any time you are designing a room.

USING EXISTING PIECES

This is where we get a little creative with our furnishing solutions. Look around your home and see if you have an existing piece of furniture or an accessory that you could use in this space. ​​Surrounding an existing piece in a completely refreshed space will give it a new life, look, and feel. See how creative you can get with what you already have.

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE AND OFTEN REWARDED WITH A DEAL

Hot Tip: Check out your local home store outlets when you are looking to ramp up any space for less.

I had my eye on specific pillow covers for a while that were recently marked down 75% and included the pillow filler! I mean, it kind of feels like they were giving them to me!!

I frequent the Room and Board Outlet shop and keep my eyes peeled for large scale furnishing items. When solid furnishings are marked down significantly you can use the savings to fully customize another part of the room with your own upholstery or simply layer them up with great accessories. Think High/Low Mix, always!

If you have time on your side and you don’t have to purchase everything in a moment’s notice you can wait for holiday sales to get your big budget items. Refine your search and hold onto that information until a Memorial Day weekend sale or a Fourth of July sale. There’s always going to be something throughout the year where furnishings go on sale. You just have to be patient!

LAYER UP YOUR SPACE FOR LESS

Adding layers to the rooms in your home can be the easiest way to make your home look and feel complete. If you have spent your full budget on the higher traffic larger pieces of furniture, take a step back, and add thoughtful layers over time.

Purchase throw blankets and throw pillows on sale or at discounted vendors, but make them count by selecting pieces that look like something you would spend a lot more on. Buy a few coffee table books at Half-Priced Books to double your budget out of the gates. Add in framed artwork that really speaks to you and your personality. Starting an ongoing collection of high/low layers that you can mix into your home will always bring your base pieces of furniture up a massive notch.

Let each accessory do some work through texture, pattern, color, and scale, so you don’t have to purchase them all at once.

xo,

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