Interior designers share 5 things you should splurge on in your home and 4 things to buy cheap

Aleksandra Nova, founder and principal designer at Aleksandra Nova Design, recommends splurging on rugs when possible.

"In any space you place it, be it your bedroom, dining room, or living room, rugs cover most of the floor area of a given space," Nova said. "Investing in a good rug can elevate the space and make the space feel luxurious, grounded, and cozy."

Nova told Insider that with proper care and maintenance, high-quality rugs could be passed on through generations.

According to Nova, proper window treatments are necessary for adding luxury and support to the overall design of the space.

"If your window treatments are done poorly or are of poor quality, they can be a big eyesore, and no matter how perfect the rest of the space is, bad window treatments will overshadow all of it," Nova said.

Proper window treatments are also necessary for maintaining comfortable temperatures in a space.

Mark Cutler, designer and coowner of CutlerSchulze, told Insider homeowners should think about lighting fixtures when they set a budget because they can impact the feel of a room.

The designer suggests spending less on other items and investing in a couple of table lamps and a ceiling fixture.

Interior designer Jen Dallas recommends splurging on one nice set of dishes and mixing up your decor with other accessories.

"Splurging on a nice classic set of white dishes will set you for life," Dallas said "Buying the latest color trend for napkins or salad plates inexpensively allows you to mix it up and offer your guests different looks for different occasions."

Laura Roberts, the owner of Laura Roberts Interiors, told Insider it's important to invest in high-quality upholstery.

"The fast-fashion trend of inexpensive sofas and chairs to purchase online is really a waste of money, as much of it will break down quickly, and you will be forced to buy another," Roberts said. "A good quality sofa can last up to 20 years."

Instead of purchasing a cheap sofa from an online retailer, Roberts said homeowners could get more bang for their buck with a quality used sofa from a thrift store.

According to Cutler, throw pillows are a crucial finishing touch for many rooms but there's no need to spend money on expensive ones.

"When shopping, it's best to stick to simple yet visually appealing pillows with great colors and patterns," Cutler said. "By making the right choices, you may even have enough room in your budget to purchase multiple pillows and rotate them throughout the year to keep your room feeling fresh."

Roberts said most homeowners don't need to spend thousands on artwork unless it's a planned long-term investment.

"High-quality prints and even posters, if framed well, can really enhance your interiors," Roberts said. "Many websites feature independent artists where you could own a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork without a hefty budget."

Roberts recommends reaching out to local artists to commission a piece if you want something customized.

Hillary Cohen, the founder of HCO Interiors, suggests looking for sales or thrifting kitchen chairs to save money.

"Kitchen chairs typically take a fair amount of abuse," Cohen said. "It is not fun to be constantly worried about keeping these clean."

Olma Fuentes, founder and principal designer of Deni + Dove Interiors, recommends saving on smaller pieces like decorative accents.

"No need to splurge when purchasing decorative accents, such as vases, objects, bowls, and trays," Fuentes said. "There's a plethora of styling pieces out there in so many shapes, colors, and sizes that are all reasonably priced and look great."