What It Actually Costs to Furnish a Home + Where to Save & Splurge with Interior Designer Ellie Stein
You’ve found the house you love, but have you thought about what it will cost to furnish it? Beyond sofas and beds, you’ll also need to plan for things like drapery and delivery fees—and it adds up faster than most of us realize!
In this episode, I’m joined by Ellie Stein of Stein Studio, the talented interior designer who helped bring our lake home to life. We’re talking honestly about the cost to furnish a home with quality pieces that will last, where it makes sense to invest, and where you can save without giving up a beautiful, pulled-together look.
We’re using our lake home as a real-life example, walking through everything from our TWOPAGES drapery and Quince bedding to the art, rugs, and custom touches that made it feel like home. From there, Ellie shares how to layer color and texture for a collected, timeless look.
So, whether you’re furnishing a new home or simply refreshing a room, I think you’ll come away with some very savvy ideas!
What to Expect in This Episode:
- What it really costs to furnish a home with a designer, plus the delivery, freight, tax, and design fees that are easy to overlook
- Where Ellie recommends saving, splurging, and finding a middle ground (with real examples from our lake home)
- Why we love our Rowe sofas and recliners, and which other pieces Ellie believes are worth the investment
- How we got a custom look for less with TWOPAGES drapery and Quince bedding
- Ellie’s rug-sizing rule and how we mixed different rug sources throughout the house
- Where to find quality wood furniture for less, including secondhand pieces
- How to mix artwork, family photos, and mirrors so your home feels cohesive
- How layers of color, texture, and timeless pieces create a collected look (and the decorating habit that can lead to regret)
- Simple ways to make your entryway more welcoming
Links & Resources
- Stein Studio — Connect with Ellie
- Stein Studio on Instagram
- Shop Our Lake Home Decor
- Watch Our Full Lake-Home Tour on YouTube
- Our Lake-Home Drapery
- TWOPAGES Curtains — Use code SAVVY22 for 22% off!
- Lake Bedroom Details — Beds, Bedding & More
- Elizabeth Fields Designs — Custom Designer Pillows
- Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
- Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid Mattress — Medium-Firm – Use code FAMILYSAVVY75 for $75 off!
- Ruggable — Use code SAVVY15 for 15% off!
- Oushak & Oak Rugs
- Porter Rivers Art
- Debra Hewitt Art
- Framebridge Gallery Wall Frames
- Our Lake-Home Entryway — Mirror, Rug & More
Where to Listen
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Enjoyed This Episode? Check These Out!
Everything We Put in Our Lake House Bedrooms (Affordable Finds + Luxury Touches)
