The Power of Custom: When to Splurge and When to Save in Interior Design
When it comes to designing your home, few decisions have as much impact as where you choose to invest and where you choose to simplify. Custom design can completely transform a space but not everything needs to be custom to look beautiful or feel high-end. The trick is knowing when it’s worth the splurge and when a well-chosen off-the-shelf piece will do the job just as well.
At CMH Interiors, we believe custom design is about more than price tags, it’s about creating a home that functions beautifully for your life and feels uniquely yours. Here’s how to make smart design decisions that balance budget, beauty, and practicality.
When to Splurge: The Power of Custom Pieces
1. Built-Ins and Millwork
Custom millwork is one of the best investments you can make in your home. It adds architectural value, increases storage, and elevates the entire feel of a space. A thoughtfully designed wall unit, mudroom built-in, or custom fireplace surround looks purposeful and polished in a way that store-bought furniture rarely can.
As millwork is built specifically for your home’s dimensions and your family’s needs, it maximizes every inch. Plus, it’s one of those upgrades that future buyers notice immediately, meaning it can increase resale value, too.
2. Upholstered Furniture
Your main sofa, sectional, or dining chairs are used every single day, so comfort, quality, and proportion matter. A custom-made sofa allows you to choose the exact dimensions, depth, cushion fill, and fabric performance level that suit your lifestyle (including pets, kids, or both).
While it’s tempting to grab a lookalike online, the difference in craftsmanship and longevity is huge. A high-quality custom piece will last years longer, maintain its shape, and actually save you money in the long run.
3. Window Treatments
This is one area where custom truly shines. Properly fitted drapery or Roman shades instantly make a space feel finished. They soften hard lines, add warmth, and enhance natural light. Off-the-shelf panels can work in some rooms, but they rarely fit perfectly, leaving you with awkward gaps or puddles of fabric.
With custom, you get exact lengths, lining options, and fabrics that tie your entire design together. It’s like the difference between a tailored suit and something off the rack.
4. Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinetry
In the rooms you use most, functionality and durability are everything. Custom cabinetry allows for better use of space, smarter storage, and more thoughtful details, from drawer organizers to hidden outlets and appliance garages.
If you plan to stay in your home for a while, investing here will pay dividends in daily convenience and long-term satisfaction.
When to Save: Smart Style Without Sacrifice
1. Accent Furniture and Side Tables
Not every table needs to be custom. In fact, mixing in off-the-shelf or vintage finds keeps your home from feeling too “designed.” A stylish side table, console, or occasional chair can be a great place to save while still adding personality.
Focus your budget on key foundation pieces and use these smaller items to layer in texture and interest.
2. Lighting (Sometimes)
Statement lighting can absolutely be a splurge but there are beautiful, budget-friendly options too. When sourcing for clients, we often mix high and low: perhaps a show-stopping chandelier in the dining room paired with simpler, well-made sconces elsewhere.
The key is quality over quantity and ensuring the lighting plan as a whole feels cohesive.
3. Rugs and Accessories
You can absolutely find beautiful, affordable rugs and decor that elevate a room without breaking the bank. The secret is focusing on scale and placement rather than price. A properly sized rug from a retail brand will always look better than an undersized one that costs twice as much.
Accessories, throw pillows, trays, vases, and art are also an opportunity to save. They’re easy to swap out when you want a refresh and don’t need to be heirloom-quality.
Finding Your Balance
Every design project is a balancing act between aesthetics, function, and budget. At CMH Interiors, we help clients prioritize the areas where custom will have the most lasting impact and where we can creatively save without sacrificing style.
If you’re planning a renovation or decorating your forever home, start by asking yourself:
- Is this a high-use area or piece I’ll interact with daily?
- Will custom improve the function or long-term durability?
- Is there a way to mix in a ready-made element that still complements the overall design?
Often, the most beautiful spaces are a thoughtful blend of both. A custom millwork feature paired with retail accent chairs. A tailored drapery panel beside a simple, budget-friendly side table. That balance creates a home that feels elevated, livable, and truly personal.
The power of custom isn’t just in having something no one else does, it’s in creating a space that perfectly fits you. When you invest strategically, you get a home that looks stunning, functions beautifully, and stands the test of time.
