Where to Invest and Where to Simplify in Interior Design
When it comes to planning for your forever home, every choice is an investment. It’s not just about materials or finishes, it’s about how your family will live and grow in that space for years to come. True luxury isn’t about excess; it’s about making intentional design decisions that balance beauty, function, and longevity. As your interior designer, I know where to invest (and where to simplify) which allows us to design a home for you and your family that feels elevated and effortless at the same time.
I always say that the most worthwhile design investments are the ones that impact your everyday life. Think of the surfaces you walk on, the lighting that sets the mood each evening, and the cabinetry you open daily. These are the details that define how your home feels.
1. Invest in quality materials and craftsmanship.
High-quality materials aren’t just about appearances but rather they’re about longevity. Well-built cabinetry, durable flooring, and expertly installed tile are the backbone of a luxury home. While it can be tempting to cut costs in these areas, cheaper alternatives often need to be replaced sooner, costing more in the long run. Beautiful design is only as strong as the craftsmanship behind it.
For example, when it comes to quartz, not all products are created equal. We use Cambria in all of our projects because of its exceptional quality and consistency. Cambria quartz is made from pure, natural materials right here in the United States, no fillers, plastics, or shortcuts. This matters more than most people realize. Some lower-end quartz manufacturers mix plastic or resin fillers into their slabs, which can actually melt or discolor when hot items are placed directly on the surface. Cambria’s pure composition ensures lasting performance and a beautiful, nonporous surface that resists stains and heat which is exactly what a busy family kitchen needs. Choosing well-made materials like this isn’t about chasing a name brand. It’s about investing in the integrity of your home.
2. Consider millwork and architectural details.
Design elements like trim profiles, custom built-ins, ceiling treatments, and beams are what give a home its soul. These elements are difficult (and expensive) to add later, so this is one area worth investing in early. We work tirelessly on millwork design because it brings depth and character to our client’s homes. It’s the quiet detail that signals quality the moment guests walk in.
We always like to consider custom storage solutions early in the design process, especially for our full-service and custom home projects. Life gets busy so designing cabinetry that blends seamlessly into your home helps maintain that effortless, polished look without sacrificing functionality. Whether it’s a built-in in the family room for books and board games, or a custom office wall with concealed storage and display shelving, these details make daily living more enjoyable.
We love working with our local cabinetry shops to bring these ideas to life. Their craftsmanship and attention to detail allow us to customize each built-in to suit the home’s architecture and the family’s lifestyle. In one of our recent projects, we designed custom built-ins for the home office that not only provided extra storage but also added architectural depth to the space. The built-ins framed the room beautifully, creating balance and permanence that freestanding furniture simply can’t achieve.
Millwork is one of those investments that feels like a splurge but pays off for years to come. It elevates the entire home, provides lasting function, and gives that sense of “finished luxury” that defines a well-designed space.
3. Invest in lighting as a design element not building product.
Lighting is one of the most overlooked design investments. It sets the tone for how a space feels, from warm and inviting to bright and energizing. Layered lighting (a mix of overhead, accent, and task lighting) makes rooms more functional and balanced. Your light environment whether natural or artificial impacts your daily routines and the quality of your sleep. From an aesthetics standpoint, the right fixture is the jewelry of the home that is subtle but unforgettable.
In our design studio, we always approach lighting as an essential layer of the home not an afterthought. Each layer plays a specific role:
Ambient lighting sets the overall tone and brightness of a space.
Task lighting provides focused illumination for cooking, reading, or working.
Accent lighting draws attention to architectural details or art, adding depth and dimension.
When balanced correctly, these layers create a natural flow throughout the home and enhances your daily rhythm. That’s why we take great care to design lighting environments that evolve with your family’s needs. We often pair dimmable fixtures with warm color temperatures (around 2700K–3000K) to mimic the natural shift of daylight and create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
4. Select furnishings that balance comfort and quality.
Your furniture should reflect how your family truly lives. Performance fabrics, durable upholstery, and quality construction ensure your investment lasts through life’s busiest seasons. For our full-service clients, we’ve incorporated what we call a “sit test” into our process. This gives families the opportunity to feel exactly what they’re investing in such as the depth of the seat, the pitch of the back, the quality of the fabric, and the overall comfort. You can see and feel the difference between a piece that will last two years and one that will last twenty.
Quality furnishings are one of the smartest investments you can make for your home. Well-constructed pieces are designed to last 15–20 years (and often longer). While mass-produced furniture might look similar at first glance, it typically breaks down after just a few seasons of use which leads to more replacements, more waste, and more frustration over time.
We believe your home should be filled with pieces that grow with you. When furnishings are thoughtfully selected, they support a lifestyle that’s both beautiful and livable, giving your family a sense of ease and refinement that endures long after the trends fade.
4. Select furnishings that balance comfort and quality.
Your furniture should reflect how your family truly lives. Performance fabrics, durable upholstery, and quality construction ensure your investment lasts through life’s busiest seasons. For our full-service clients, we’ve incorporated what we call a “sit test” into our process. This gives families the opportunity to feel exactly what they’re investing in such as the depth of the seat, the pitch of the back, the quality of the fabric, and the overall comfort. You can see and feel the difference between a piece that will last two years and one that will last twenty.
Quality furnishings are one of the smartest investments you can make for your home. Well-constructed pieces are designed to last 15–20 years (and often longer). While mass-produced furniture might look similar at first glance, it typically breaks down after just a few seasons of use which leads to more replacements, more waste, and more frustration over time.
We believe your home should be filled with pieces that grow with you. When furnishings are thoughtfully selected, they support a lifestyle that’s both beautiful and livable, giving your family a sense of ease and refinement that endures long after the trends fade.
5. Don’t underestimate the power of design planning and professional guidance.
One of the smartest investments you can make is hiring a designer early in the process. Our role is to help you make intentional, informed decisions so every dollar you spend works harder. From space planning and finish selections to furnishings and lighting, each detail is chosen with both functionality and longevity in mind. This approach ensures your home feels cohesive from one room to the next and prevents the frustration that often comes from piecemeal decision-making.
By collaborating early with your builder and architect, we can align on timelines, budgets, and design goals from the start. This helps avoid costly changes later and keeps construction running smoothly. We’re able to catch small details that can make a big difference like adjusting outlet placement for sconces, ensuring adequate lighting layers, or confirming cabinetry dimensions before fabrication begins.
But beyond logistics, professional guidance brings peace of mind. We take the guesswork out of hundreds of design decisions, narrowing options to those that fit your lifestyle, aesthetic, and goals. It’s a stress-free, streamlined process that allows you to stay focused on the excitement of your new home instead of the overwhelm of choices.
Design is an investment in how you live, and having a professional by your side ensures it’s an investment that pays off. When you look back years from now, you’ll be glad you took the time to get it right the first time.
Where You Can Simplify Without Sacrificing Style
Not every element of a home needs to be the “wow” moment and that’s where strategic simplification comes in. Knowing where to scale back allows you to invest where it truly counts, without compromising the overall look or feel of your home.
We always tell our clients that design is a balance of intention. Some areas deserve a bigger investment because they make a lasting impact, while others can be simplified without losing style or function.
1. Skip the Trends - The truth is that trends fade quickly, and a home built for longevity shouldn’t feel outdated in five years. Instead, we encourage clients to choose timeless materials for the main areas, adding personality through lighting, textiles, or accessories that can easily evolve over time.
2. Simplify in Secondary Spaces - Not every room needs to compete for attention. Areas like powder baths, mudrooms, and laundry spaces are perfect opportunities to simplify. You can still add interest with thoughtful details like a pretty light fixture or patterned floor without the full investment level of your main living spaces. The result is still beautiful, just more intentional.
3. Phase in Decorative Elements Over Time - When working on large-scale builds or renovations, it’s okay to phase certain items. Mirrors, decorative hardware, or art can be layered in once you’ve lived in the space and understand how it feels day-to-day. Starting with the right foundational design gives you flexibility to build on your home’s personality later.
Simplifying in these areas is about investing wisely. It allows you to focus your design dollars on the elements that bring lasting impact and true enjoyment: quality materials, architectural detail, lighting, and furnishings that stand the test of time.
At the heart of every well-designed home is intention. Investing in design isn’t just about creating a home that looks beautiful today; it’s about creating one that will continue to serve and comfort your family for decades to come. When you invest in quality materials like craftsmanship, lighting, and furnishings, you’re investing in how your home feels. Simplifying in the right areas only enhances that impact, allowing the truly meaningful details to shine.
If you’re in the process of building or renovating, my goal is to help you make design decisions that pay off — not just visually, but functionally and emotionally. Because when your home reflects your family’s story and supports the way you live every day, that’s an investment that will always be worth it.
