I am a big believer in the splurge. I spoke a little bit about those items that are worthwhile investments within my post about mixing high and low. But today, I wanted to go into a little more detail about what I think is worth a little extra cash if you’ve got some spare and why.
Okay, I mean, who has cash to spare? What I’m actually trying to say is that even if you are on a tight budget, it’s worth putting just a bit extra aside for these particular items and saving on everything else. Or if you are looking to upgrade your current items, what you should be considering as the best items to invest in first. So yes, go to the inexpensive shops – the mass-produced Swedish megachain, the supermarket, the High Street – hell, the POUND SHOP if you fancy it – but for these bits, consider a little bit of luxury. Here are the design investments I think are totally worth a little extra spend and why.
Great bedding
I think I was in my mid-30’s the very first time I purchased a really lovely high-quality set of bedding and I’ll be honest, I never went back to supermarket or cheap brands again. There is something deliciously comforting about really good quality linens. Think about it – you’re putting it next to your SKIN – shouldn’t it feel good? Skip the polyester blends, I don’t care how easy they iron, and get the good stuff. The high-quality cotton in an extra high thread count, the luxe linen that gets softer with each wash. You will never ever regret the purchase.
Good quality towels
Similar to the bedding idea, scratchy cheap towels are a false investment. They don’t feel particularly nice, may not be terribly absorbent and won’t particularly age well. Using good quality towels is a little treat you will give yourself every day. They go against your bare skin so shouldn’t it feel good? And if you invest in good quality, they’ll last many years and retain their softness and absorbency for a very long time.
A beautiful sofa
Yeah, I’m banging on about my sofa again. I don’t think that at the time I purchased it 7 years ago that I’d still love it even now. I actually considered getting it in a dark plum colour at the time (can you imagine?!) but decided instead to go for a colour that I’ve just always loved and not one that I was merely smitten with at that exact moment. I also decided to go for a bespoke model because while velvet chesterfields are available now all over the place (and olive velvet is a big trend!), at the time, they just weren’t and olive green wasn’t a popular colour at all in interiors.
So I figured I’d make my own (well, so to speak – I had it made by people who actually knew what they were doing).Β Spending the money on a high-quality sofa was a splurge at the time but I have never for one day regretted our decision. It’s beautiful, well-made and is still going strong. To be honest, I’m dreading ever having to replace it because I would want something with the same kind of longevity that we’ve enjoyed with this classic beauty.
A gorgeous dining table or chairs
I’m including this in my list probably because I’m looking to upgrade mine soon (oh my god I can’t wait to share with you the details but it’ll have to wait). I have had 2 different dining tables in this house already but the next one will probably be my last for quite a long time. The thing is, I’ve bought fairly inexpensively each time and while there was nothing particularly wrong with the one I had previously or in fact, the one I have now, neither were ‘perfect’ for me.
But think of it this way: the dining table in a dining room takes up the most real estate in the room. If you don’t have a great table, invest in some great chairs instead. Same kind of thing – they take up a lot of the space in a room so you might as well make sure you have the best and most beautiful you can afford.
A statement ceiling light
While I don’t think every single room needs an expensive light fixture, consider adding it to your most-used, most-seen spaces. And whatever you do, don’t scrimp on the size. If there’s one area you can afford to go a bit over-sized, it’s in your overhead lighting. It will catch your eye, making you look up instinctively and in effect, fool the eye into thinking your room is bigger than it is. There’s nothing worse than a tiny little weedy light in a larger space. If you can afford to upgrade to something a little special, it’ll elevate the rest of the room too.
Nice art
Don’t get me wrong. I know artwork can get pricey. But the difference it makes in a space can be amazing. I have no issue with using inexpensive or mass produced artwork here and there in my home and I have done many times. But when I do spend a little bit more on something I truly love (either originals or limited edition prints), it fills me with joy every time I see it. And isn’t that what art should do? Fill you with emotion?
I said to a friend the other day that art has so little to do with practicality and everything to do with emotion. Spending a little more on what you really love might be an investment but I promise, if you truly love it, you’ll find a way to make it work for many years, no matter how much your tastes change over that time. If you have an emotional investment to a piece, that’ll last.
So those are just a few of the things I think make worthwhile investments for your home if you’ve got the money or you are at the point where you want to start replacing some of your existing items and upgrading them. What about you? What would be on your ‘great investment’ list?
Hi Kimberley,
Love, love, love your blog. On the mention of luxury bedlinen, my friend and manager when I worked at Feather & Black now has an online linen store with her sister. Their linen and designs are to die for and ultimate luxury, without being ridiculously priced. Check them out http://www.thesecretlinenstore.com
Aww thank you Stephanie! Oh I LOVE Secret Linen – in fact, I have a set from them ;) https://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/2015/02/affordable-luxury-bedding-secret-linen.html/ xxx
You are so right about buying investment furniture. I am sure that you will never have to do anything more than recover/restore that beautiful sofa. Custom furniture is made to last, the frames are sturdy (usually kiln dried hardwood) and the fillings/stuffing highest quality. And velvet wears like iron. Think about all those beautiful pieces from previous centuries that are still going strong with new upholstery. I have a custom settee in a beautiful print velvet that is gorgeous and comfortable after 10 years. I’ll likely grow tired of the velvet before it is ready to give up.
There is one more item I would add and that is a statement mirror or two! I have a 95 cm diameter original gold sunburst mirror in my dining area, against my grey wall . It reflects the candles and looks dramatic. In my kitchen I have a v large 1960s Swedish mirror. Both mirrors add light, drama and interest. I notice, Kimberley has a wonderful one in her bedroom too.
Oh totally agree Kate! A fantastic mirror is a great investment – I’ve had the one in my living room for something like 6 years and the one in my dressing room for around 5 and I still get asked about them both all the time! xx
Hi Kimberly! I don’t know if it’s just my computer but it seems that one part of the text actually appears twice. It’s a little part about your sofa (two sentences). Don’t get me wrong, I love your blog anyway, probably even more now because at least I know you’re a human (which, with your perfectly looking blog was hard to believe at times) :) :) :)
Oh thank you hun for letting me know! My WordPress went a bit weird on me, it kept duplicating sentences and I clearly missed that one (I corrected a different paragraph this morning for the same issue)! Gah! So nope not your computer, my platform just being a bit annoying ;) And thank you hun, I’m absolutely 100% a fallible human being lol xxx
For the last several years of following you I kept saying my next couch (which is being ordered next couple of weeks) would be moss green. Because, well, totally in love with yours. Moss green velvet couches are BIG here. Of course though the couch that fits perfectly in my new downsized space is not available in moss. So out came all the velvet and the one I fell hard for was DEEP PLUM! Please let this not be a mistake like you think yours would have been.
Ahhh Nadine, nope wasn’t saying that plum is a bad choice at all! I meant that it was a colour I had a brief ‘affair’ with at the time but it wouldn’t have been a smart investment for me – you should really choose a colour that you’ve always loved and are always drawn to and not just something that’s trendy at the time. If that colour for you is plum then you should feel absolutely confident that you’ll always be able to make it work. Hope that makes sense! ;) xxx
Totally agree with all of these! Has it really already been 7 years since you bought your sofa? Wow! I’d also add a good quality mattress, I consider this so essential that I’ve splurged on (invested in) good quality pocket sprung mattresses for my kids too.
Oh my goodness, I couldn’t agree more and now I wish I had included it on my list! I love my bed so much and miss it when I am away from it ;) Totally agree that it’s worth splurging on a great quality mattress! xx
Definitely with you on the bedding! I adore our (spendy) pure linen duvet cover, it gets softer with every wash. And our sheets are vintage French dowry sheets, half cotton, half linen, all embroidered with the initials of the bride and groom. My other luxury is a sunny day to dry them after washing – few things better than getting into a bed that smells of fresh air! I also splurge on great scented candles, and lighting the various ones I’ve got round the house is a regular ritual as I spend time in different places from late afternoon through the evening. It always seems very luxurious to light a candle before it’s dark and see how it changes as the light changes.
Ahh I have only just started getting into really nice quality candles and it really does feel so luxurious to have them fill the room with glorious scents! And your linens sound divine. Nothing better than getting in a bed with freshly washed sheets dried in the sunshine – ahhh. You’re making me desperate for summer now! Ha! xxx
Love this post! I’m about to move & inspired to treat myself to at least one investment piece (I didn’t need much encouragement…!). Do you have any recommendations about where to look for good artwork? Rx
Hi Rosanna – that’s great, I’m pleased you enjoyed the post! Check out Saatchi Gallery online https://www.saatchiart.com/ and RiseArt https://www.riseart.com/ – they are both great. Also, you can find some great independent artists via Instagram or your own local galleries, etc. xxx
I total agree with the bedding and towels, I know you can only buy what you can afford, but if you can spend a bit more on those purchases it’s well worth it.
Totally agree – I think we all start out with buying the cheapest of everything which is absolutely fine when you are younger but as I’ve gotten older, I find myself investing in just a few luxuries where and when I can! xx
I so agree with everything. And please don’t invest in a set ;) LOL, right?
Noooooo!! Back away from the matching sets!! Hahaha! xxx
I’m professionally biased, and I’d say splurge on the best curtains you can afford and have them made by a professional curtain maker. The fabric doesn’t need to be expensive, but they’ll finish off your room and be the icing on your decor cake.
Definetly you have such bon gout! I love your blog, so cosy and resolutive, and I really like your solutions are not always like these minimal trendy you find everywhere today. Congratulations!
This is a great post!These are some great tips, there are certain things where it pays off to spend a bit more in the long run. The bathroom, in particular, is one of the most used rooms in the house, and recently it’s more than just about function, it’s a place to relax, so choosing good quality products is vital!