Living Room Furniture Concept: The True Cost Behind the Style
Posted on: 2025-06-22
A few weeks ago, I posted a living room concept to Instagram and asked followers to guess how much the entire space cost based on what was in the photo alone.
The options were A: $9,812 B: $3,568 C: $17,723 D:$12,233
The results? Let's just say, most people were way off.
The answer: C: $17,723 + hst.
And that's not including paint, decor and window treatments...
You've probably heard stories like, "I redecorated this room for just $1,000!" And while that might technically be true in some cases, it's usually only accounting for the major pieces and leaves out all the extras that actually make a space feel finished. Things like paint, window treatments, art, lighting, accessories, professional installation (if needed)… it all adds up fast.
This particular example was a more high-end space, but I wanted to use it to show the reality of how much furniture costs these days, even when a room isn't fully finished. Honestly, even I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows at the final price!
Were there a few pieces in the space that felt a little outrageous? Yes… I'm looking at the coffee table in particular. But sometimes it's hard to find the perfect combination of size and style that fit the budget. In the case of this table, it's unique, large, made of a solid quality material and depending on the client, they may feel it's so special, they want to invest a decent portion of the budget on that piece!
When I finish sourcing any space and notice we are a bit over budget, the next step would be going back in and asking: Where can we cut? What's worth the investment? Ie. what are the hero items here? Where can we get creative?
Here are some of my go-to rules:
Where you should Invest:
- Sofa
This is one of the most used pieces in your home, so it's worth the investment. A well-built sofa with quality cushioning and durable fabric will hold up over time and stay comfortable. It's also one of those items you really want to test in person. Sit on it, feel the support and make sure it works for you.
- Lighting
Think of it as the "necklace" of the room. It adds personality and pulls everything together. A well-chosen fixture can completely elevate a space, while the wrong one can throw it off. Scale matters here and typically the larger or more detailed the fixture, the higher the price tag. It's one of those pieces that's absolutely worth the investment, if you ask me.
- Area Rug
You can find decent rugs at lower price points, but one of the biggest design mistakes is choosing a rug that's too small for the space. A proper sized rug should anchor the room, with at least the front legs of your sofa and chairs sitting on it, not floating behind it. That often means sizing up and yes, larger rugs come with a higher price tag. But trust me, the visual impact is worth every penny.
Where you can save:
- Decor
My go-to spots are HomeSense and small, local home decor shops. I love supporting small businesses. It's a great way to give back to the community and discover pieces that feel more unique and less mass produced. For even more budget friendly options, I always recommend thrift stores, vintage markets, and secondhand shops. Not only do they help stretch your budget, but they also add so much charm, character and history to a space. Those one-of-a-kind collected pieces bring in that layered, lived-in feeling, without the hefty price tag.
- Coffee Table Books
These can add up quickly, often ranging from $50 to over $100 each. That's why I always recommend checking places like HomeSense, Winners or even local thrift stores for more affordable options. If you're thrifting and the dust jacket is work or doesn't suit your style, try removing it! More often than not, there's a beautifully neutral cover underneath that looks even better on display.
- Art
High-end art can get pricey fast, but there are plenty of beautiful, affordable options out there. Sites like Etsy, Opposite Wall or one of my favourite local shops The Cardinal Farmhouse all offer downloadable prints you can frame yourself, which can save a lot. You can also turn to your own travel photos to create meaningful artwork.
- Chairs
I find accent chairs to be really expensive pieces on average so I love sourcing unique chairs on Facebook Marketplace or at vintage shops when I can. If they're a little worse for wear, you can have them refinished and reupholstered allowing for a more custom piece to better suit your style.
- Accent Furniture
Pieces like hutches, sideboards, side tables, coffee tables are perfect opportunities to save. You can often find them at big box stores, thrift/vintage shops, or Marketplace for a fraction of the price. These are the kinds of items that, when thrifted or vintage, add instant character and charm to a space.
It's all about striking the right balance between standout pieces and budget friendly finds to create the home you love!
