Building or renovating a house is no cheap task. There are so many decisions to be made and it can be so easy for the budget to get out of hand fast. Continue reading on for a few tips on how to build your dream house with the look and quality you want, without blowing your budget!

Where to Splurge

Kitchen & Primary Bath

Regardless of your price point, when it comes to where to spend, focus on high-traffic areas in your such as the kitchen and primary bathroom. You will use these spaces every single day, and I promise you won’t regret upgrading items in these spaces. By using custom cabinets, you can make these spaces incredibly functional, tailoring them to the way your family lives.

Windows

This may not be a “fun” splurge, but it is so necessary. If you skimp on windows, be prepared to spend more down the line as a result (I’m looking at you, high utility bills). Plus, beautiful windows make a statement from a design standpoint as well.

Siding

Another not-so-glamorous one, but so important. You will never. ever. ever. see us using vinyl on the exterior. While it is an economical choice, it will fade over time, it can expand and contract in different weather, and it will not hold up to hail. Opting for something such as LP will be more expensive, but it will perform SO much better, which is well worth the added cost.

Lighting

Now, full disclosure, this is an area where you can save, but high quality light fixtures can make SUCH a dramatic difference in your space. While yes, you can find cute lights at an affordable price, a lot of times they will likely arrive a little bent, crooked, or have shades that don’t sit on straight. If you’re ok with that, then by all means. But whatever you do, please invest a little bit in lights and don’t go with basic, boring, builder grade fixtures. Trust us when we say they are like jewelry for your home and they can completely transform your space.

Where to Save

Secondary Bedrooms

Of course you want the kids’ rooms to be fun and look nice (and you want the kids to love them!) but you probably don’t need to go really high end in secondary bedrooms. Kids will likely outgrow items if you go too specific. Focus on simple decor that can grow with your child, and add some fun pieces in as well!

Plumbing Fixtures

Sometimes I contradict myself on this one because there are some high end faucets that are absolutely breathtaking – but generally speaking, think of faucets as more of a backdrop. At the end of the day, you won’t focus on these everyday, so choose a fixture that complements the style of your room, but don’t feel like you need to get the most expensive option out there. Odds are you’ll hardly notice it when you use it every day (so long as it’s functional). If you want to splurge in the kitchen or powder bath, go for it and make a statement, but in other bathrooms, a lot of our clients will scale back.

Tile

Unless you’re going for a super specific look, you can create really beautiful spaces with rather inexpensive tile. Keep in mind that natural stone, such as slate or marble, will not only be more expensive from a material standpoint, but also from an install standpoint. If you want to include a higher end tile in your home, try doing so in the kitchen or primary bathroom, again, in spaces where you’ll see and appreciate it every day. There are so many fun, well priced ceramic and porcelain tiles that will make a statement without breaking the bank.

So, there you have it! With a little planning ahead, you can create a beautiful home without completely blowing the budget. Tell us in the comments below, what areas do you find yourself investing in your home? We’d love to hear from you and for more inspo, you can find us over on Instagram @AlmaHomes, too!

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