I'm an Interior Designer and I'm on a Budget
Plus, budget friendly home finds, and how I save money when furnishing my own home.
Hiiiiii and welcome to all the new subscribers since my last post! If you haven't yet, check out my very first post, which is a quick snapshot of who I am, what I do, and why it's worth sticking around.
Spoiler alert — I’m not a writer so expect some grammatical errors.
Though I no longer work in finance, I still like to keep a pulse on what's happening in the economy, trying to understand the why behind it. And I don't know about you, but lately my budget is being stretched thin. Since 2024, our home insurance premium has doubled. Our monthly grocery bill has increased 25% year over year, despite there being only three of us at home instead of four. And I keep seeing headlines like "Money Stress is America's #1 Worry" and "Why Everyone Feels Broke, Even When They're Making More Money Than Ever."
And yet, I'm also seeing people promoting Doen lace shorts for $300 (BTW, what even is a Doen, and no thank you). I start wondering who these people are, shelling out $300 for a pair of shorts. But then I remind myself: maybe they value those shorts more than saving for a vacation or installing new light fixtures.
Then just last week, I came across an Instagram reel I really appreciated. Lori Paranjape, owner of a Nashville-based interior design firm, shared a breakdown of what it actually costs to fully furnish a 6,000 sq. ft. home. And bless her for being transparent about it, because nobody on HGTV ever is. The answer? Mid-to-high six figures, and sometimes into the seven figures.
Sidebar — Keep in mind her clients are likely celebrities, athletes, and your friendly neighborhood crypto bros.
Needless to say, I am not Lori's client. But I am someone who still wants a beautiful home and has gotten pretty good at finding it for less. So in the spirit of tight budgets and still wanting nice things, here are some of my current favorite budget finds.
Budget Home Finds I’ve Vetted
No truly, I have.
Gold Accordion Hook — Recently purchased for my stepdaughter’s closet and it’s a 10/10 (and based on the reviews, the people concur).
Green Marble & Brass Side Table — My mind is still boggled that this beautiful green marble table is available for less than $65. FYI — I have it on our carpet and it doesn’t wobble, which I was quite pleased about!
Lockable Deck Box — Sexy? No. Practical? Yes. I store blankets in here, as shown in our 3-season porch. It’s also currently on sale!
Floor Lamp in Brass — Recently sourced for a friend’s office. She real cute, isn’t she?
The Ceni Lounge Chair — An accent chair that is comfortable, stylish, and won’t break the bank. However, if you have cats, this may not be the best option for you. Available in other colors, too!
Three Striped Doormat — I purchased the 18” x 30” size in honey/parchment, as shown above.
Other recent purchases I’ve made include this white marble soap dish and these hydrangea stems (they look so real!).
Money Saving Tips
With a bit of planning, flexibility, and compromise, here’s how I try to never pay full price for anything.
Most credit cards have built-in offers that are easy to overlook. Right now my American Express has offers for Rugs USA, Kohler, At Home, and Kirkland's Home. #themoreyouknow
Sign up for a retailer's email list. First-time subscribers usually receive 10–15% off, which adds up fast.
Be flexible and compromise. Wait for a sale before pulling the trigger, or lean into what you already have. For example, if you've got a Pottery Barn gift card and need new bath towels, start there.
To date, I haven’t purchased anything “open-box” but I’m going to pull the trigger, soon. If you have experience, with open-box deals, I’d love to know the good, the bad, and the ugly.
That’s it, my friends! As always, thank you for being here. But one last thing before I officially say byeeeee.
Going forward, I’d love this to be less of a one-way conversation and more of an ongoing exchange. So if there's something specific you'd love for me to cover, a product you’ve been hunting for, or a topic you want me to dig into, just hit reply to this email or comment below.
And remember, choose kindness, say “hi” to strangers, be goofy, and hug your loved ones. Cheers! — Alyssa
Any product mentioned and linked was chosen independently. If you purchase through one of the links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. So, thank you in advance for your support!
The transparency about real-world price tags is a total breath of fresh air because those seven-figure budgets usually feel more like fiction than reality when your own grocery bill is skyrocketing. It is impressive how high-end aesthetics can still be achieved with intentional budget finds and strategic moves like using credit card offers, proving that a beautiful home is more about savvy choices than just a massive bank account.