One of the first conversations I have with clients is about priorities.

Because almost every project has a budget.
And good design is rarely about spending the most everywhere—it’s about spending intentionally.

I always use the phrase “rob Peter to pay Paul.”

Meaning sometimes we spend less in one area so we can prioritize the parts of the home that will impact your everyday life the most.

Where I Typically Encourage Clients to Splurge

Cabinetry is one of the biggest ones for me.

A good kitchen cabinet works for you, not against you. Function, storage, durability, and construction quality matter more than people realize when you’re using something every single day.

I also encourage clients to prioritize:

• countertops they genuinely love
• quality flooring that can withstand real life
• and plumbing fixtures with solid brass fittings instead of inexpensive plastic components

These are the foundational elements of the home. They affect not just how a space looks, but how it functions long term.

Where I Usually Encourage Clients to Save

Interestingly, I think people often drain their budget in secondary spaces without realizing it.

Tile is usually where this happens.

Clients can spend months trying to decide on the “perfect” tile for a secondary bathroom, when in reality, I’d rather see that budget go toward the kitchen, cabinetry, or a larger functional priority in the home.

Not every finish has to be the star of the show.

I also think mixing price points creates a more thoughtful home overall. Sometimes we pair a more investment-level floor tile with a simpler wall tile. Sometimes we use quartz in secondary spaces where paying for a full natural stone slab wouldn’t make sense.

Not everything needs to come from the same place or have the same price tag.

How I Help Clients Decide What’s Worth It

The real question isn’t usually “Should I splurge or save?”

It’s:

• What matters most to you?
• How do you want your home to function?
• What are your non-negotiables?

For one client, it’s a large kitchen island where the whole family gathers. For another, it’s creating a mudroom that finally keeps backpacks and shoes from taking over the front entry.

“Worth it” looks different for every family.

The Pieces That Change the Feeling of a Home

I often tell clients that lighting and plumbing are the jewelry of the home.

The cabinetry, flooring, and countertops create the foundation, while the lighting, plumbing, and finishing details are what elevate the space and give it personality.

And sometimes the splurge isn’t even about practicality.

Sometimes it’s about character.

For me, that’s often marble countertops or a plaster fireplace mantel—elements that bring warmth, texture, and a sense of timelessness into a home.

Why Planning Early Matters

One of the biggest budgeting mistakes I see is that people simply don’t know what things realistically cost anymore.

Pricing changes constantly, and it’s difficult to plan around numbers that may no longer reflect the current market.

That’s why I encourage clients to involve a designer early in the process.

I help clients create realistic expectations from the beginning—whether that’s understanding appliance budgets, cabinetry pricing, or where investment decisions will matter most long term.

Because thoughtful budgeting isn’t about cutting corners.

It’s about creating a home that supports your life well for years to come.

Trying to figure out where your project budget should actually go?