In my ten years’ experience as an interior designer, I’ve learnt that money matters. All clients, want to know how much their particular project will cost. It could be the cost to style one or more rooms in their apartment or a kitchen renovation, or a new build.
The truth is there is no one answer because every client and every project is different. So let me share my experience on budgeting for your apartment furniture. This doesn’t include the cost of an interior designer, furniture and furnishings is what I’m referring to in this post.
Cost of focal piece
Every room has a focal piece. In the living room it’s the sofa, in the bedroom it’s the bed, in the dining room it’s the dining table. I have specified a bed head from as little as $300 to a bed frame costing over $1000. I’ve also had bedheads custom made.
I think a good average budget for a good quality focal piece that will last you a long time is approximately $1000 – $2000. Especially if you’re looking at a leather sofa for example.
Or a solid timber dining table as opposed to a veneered dining table. The cost will vary depending on materials, country of manufacture and warranty.
With one apartment interior styling client I worked with, they paid more for the coffee table than the sofa, because they wanted a statement piece. Another client who wanted a reclining sofa had side tables instead which are less expensive that coffee tables.
Cost of furnishings
Furnishing are items such as cushions, throws, vases and other ornamental pieces. Cushions, for example vary in price if the insert is feather versus polyester.
Similarly with a throw. A wool throw will cost more than a throw made from a non natural material. A natural material being wool, cotton, linen.
Ornaments also vary in price depending on material, brand and craftsmanship. Obviously you can fill your apartment with décor from Kmart. But it’s not very interesting or personal.
That’s why I like the quality of quantity approach. Or curating your home with treasures you love. These could be from big brand shops or Etsy, or vintage shops and markets.
What’s a good average budget to furnish a room
While I think it’s possible to furnish a room on a budget from budget retailers such as Ikea, Fantastic Furniture and Kmart I think it’s good to mix up the quality of the pieces.
On average a furniture package from Fantastic Furniture is $2000 but I think $3000 is more reasonable for good quality, good looking, non generic pieces.
Obviously when you’re furnishing an entire apartment this adds up. I think it cost me about $10,000 to furnish by two bedroom apartment, now on Airbnb, but the quality of the furniture is good and I’ll have it for a long time.
With a solid oak dining table and 100% leather sofa. The TV unit was $300 from Ikea and the coffee table $200 from Fantastic Furniture but I love art so invested in original pieces. Everyone is different so the cost to furnish a beautiful room in your apartment will vary for everyone.
