Budget Breakdown: How Much Does It Cost To Decorate A Room?

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:

• How much does furniture cost?
• How much does it cost to furnish a house on a budget?
• How much does a living room set cost?
• How much does it cost to furnish a kitchen? 
• How much does it cost to furnish a dining room?

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?

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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: 

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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. 

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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).

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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 Design Services for all kinds of home projects. You'll get a design tailored for you that transforms your space and elevates your style! Click HERE to get started and to connect with our team on pricing specifics for your project's size and scope. 

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Photo from our founder Kathy's home. Click to shop!

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The Living Room

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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Photo from our Hudson Valley design project. Click to shop! 

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For a High-End Project				For a Standard Project
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

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The Dining Room

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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Photo from our Westchester design project. Click to shop! 

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For a High-End Project				For a Standard Project
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

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The Primary Bedroom & Guest Room

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. 

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Primary bedroom photo from our Hudson Valley design project. Click to shop!

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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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Guest room photo from our Hudson Valley design project. Click to shop!

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For a High-End Project				For a Standard Project
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

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The Nursery

 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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Photo from our nursery design project with Jenny Cipoletti. Click to shop!

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For a High-End Project				For a Standard Project
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

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Home Office

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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Photo from our Sea Girt design project. Click to shop!

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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

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Elegant Entryway

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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Photo from our collab with Jenny Cipoletti. Click to shop!

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For a High-End Project				For a Standard Project
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

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Kathy Kuo Home Design Services

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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