Don’t let your furniture become an afterthought.

I often hear clients beginning a significant renovation say things like, “We’ll figure out the furniture later,” or “We’re just going to use our old furniture for now.” They tend to invest heavily in hard finishes such as stunning stone countertops, designer lighting and premium appliances. However, furniture and window treatments become an afterthought, and thus, left out of the financial planning.

Don’t get me wrong...if you’re existing furniture is in great shape and you love it, then absolutely keep and reuse what you can! I’m not about throwing away perfectly good furniture. But, completing a stunning renovation, only to put your worn out and dated sofa back in the space is a buzz kill. It’s like donning your gorgeous wedding gown and wearing your dirty hiking sneakers because you forgot to budget for the beautiful shoes.

Remember, your furniture (and window treatments) are just as important as your other finishes. Every day you walk on your rugs, relax on your sofa, and dine at your table; just as you stand in your shower, cook on your countertops, and open your fridge. Everything matters. If you need new furniture, setting aside funds for the furniture and window treatments should be a part of the planning.

And DO NOT wait until your renovation is complete to start shopping. Furniture takes months to select, ship, and arrive. During which time you’ll be living with dated furniture, or worse, no furniture at all. Ordering furnishings at the start of construction and storing until the project is complete is best practice, and will ensure you have a completed space you can enjoy for many years to come.

If the budget really doesn't permit new furniture, I suggest at least selecting your desired furnishings along with the renovation planning, and then purchase once you've regained your financial footing. Or, shopping second hand at any consignment stores in your area is another great way to save money and still get the look you desire.

Bottom line, the furniture is also important so don’t let it be an afterthought.