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If your living room looks drab and dated, it’s probably time for a refresh. And it doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
In fact, some living room upgraders find themselves spending way more money than the job requires. A big change to your space doesn’t translate into spending big money. Here are seven things you might do that would waste money on your project.
Related: 4 Expensive Home-Remodeling Mistakes To Avoid
More Rooms: 10 Spending Mistakes To Avoid When Updating Your Kitchen
Buying Custom Curtains
HomeAdvisor reports that premade curtains average $370 per set, installed. That’s the all-in price, including the rod. On the contrary, custom draperies cost as much as $1,500 per panel, depending on the dimensions and fabrics used, per HomeAdvisor. And that doesn’t include installation or the hardware.
“Don’t order custom-made curtains; instead, purchase ones from the store,” said Marco Bizzley, a certified interior designer and consultant at HouseGrail. “If you need to, you can always have them shortened.”
Shopping in the Wrong Season — or Wrong Place
“Wait until fall for any large purchases,” Bizzley said. “Fall is when many retailers are getting rid of their older stock to make room for new stuff. You can find great items between 30% (and) 50% off a lot of time. It’s well worth the wait.”
Bizzley also said you’re wasting cash if you shop only for brand-new furniture or décor pieces.
“You can never go wrong by heading to local antique or resell shops for the perfect piece,” he said. “It’s a great place to find art, throw pillows, even an excellent couch. Shop secondhand stores when you’re looking for books and accessories. That can save you a ton of money, and you can often find some cool items.”
Which Should You Update First: Kitchen or Bathroom?
Dan Wiener, the founder and lead interior designer for Homedude, agreed new isn’t always best.
“If you want to change up the furniture in your living room, it doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive,” he said. “One way to save is to shop at thrift stores or yard sales, or find items on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or Craigslist. You can find some truly unique furniture that’s in great shape while paying a fraction of the price and helping to reduce waste.”
Making Big Changes
If your sofa and armchair are in good condition, why replace them?
“My No. 1 tip to save money while restyling your living room is to buy new accent pieces. That’s an excellent way to …….
Source: https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/home/spending-mistakes-to-avoid-updating-living-room/