Designing a beautiful home doesn’t have to mean blowing your entire budget on high-end everything. In fact, the magic often happens in the mix. By blending budget-friendly finds from places like Target, Amazon, and IKEA with investment pieces—think quartz countertops, statement hardware, or imported artisan tile—you can create a space that feels both elevated and attainable. Strategic savings on the little things frees up room to splurge where it really counts, resulting in a home that’s not only stylish but smartly curated.
Most of my project builds utilize IKEA pieces, for a variety of reasons. Not only are they affordable, but they are easily customizable and “hackable” as well. The difference between IKEA and custom cabinetry could be thousands of dollars! And those savings can stretch the budget to include items/pieces that would have been normally out of the budget.
My most used mix-and-match, so far, has been using IKEA cabinets with custom quartz countertops. Since my projects are not full blown kitchen renovations, I’ve been able to use “remnants” from a local stone fabricator. Essentially, I am utilizing leftover pieces from other people’s projects, and only paying for the piece that I need, as opposed to needing to buy a whole slab. Saving money on cabinetry, also allowed me to spend a little more on a beautiful artisanal tile, and stunning walnut floating shelves. One other way to elevate a “basic IKEA” cabinet is to splurge on designer hardware, like those from Signature Hardware, Rejuvenation, or Emtek. I would also love to do a Billy Bookcase Hack with a beautiful wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries.
At the end of the day, creating a home you love doesn’t mean choosing between budget and beauty—it’s about finding the right balance. Mixing affordable staples from places like IKEA, Facebook Marketplace, or Home Goods, with a few well-chosen splurges (hello, stone countertops and crown molding!) can completely elevate your space. By being thoughtful about where to save and where to invest, you can stretch your budget without sacrificing style. It’s all about making smart choices that reflect your taste and your priorities—because your home should feel both beautiful and uniquely yours.
