Furniture Pieces Worth the Splurge—and What Aren’t Worth the Cost

Invest in Lasting Foundations

Designers recommend prioritizing a quality sofa, which helps establish a living room. Kiser favors handcrafted sofas from trusted manufacturers and suggests considering retailers such as West Elm, Pottery Barn or IKEA.

Jennifer Harkavy says a well-made bed frame with suitable slats and supports can contribute to longevity and good health. She also argues that paying more initially can save money over time through years of use.

Dining tables are another potential investment. Kiser points to antique and vintage options, while noting that durable tables can withstand the stains and marks of everyday meals better than cheaper alternatives.

Choose Quality Upholstery

Sofas are not the only upholstered pieces designers say merit spending more on. Armchairs, dining chairs, ottomans, benches and stools can also benefit from better upholstery, Jessica Hobson says.

Hobson recommends choosing classic shapes rather than short-lived trends. That approach can help make a higher-priced piece useful for longer.

Look For Vintage Furniture

Antique and vintage furniture can be a good option for chests of drawers, highboys and buffets, Harkavy says. She advises acting promptly when a particularly appealing piece appears, since it may not remain available for long.

Harkavy says older examples may be better made than their modern counterparts. Kiser also sees vintage and antique tables as pieces that can become part of family life.

Save On Flexible Pieces

Kids’ furniture is a place to spend less, Hobson says, because children grow quickly and furnishings can take a lot of wear. She says affordable options are widely available, while families might choose to spend more on features such as lighting, wallpaper or window treatments.

Drink tables and smaller accent furnishings are also suitable for lower budgets. Hobson suggests looking at big-box stores, thrift shops and Etsy for side tables, end tables, ottomans and similar pieces.

Harkavy says most decorative accessories do not need a large investment, since they can be replaced as tastes change. She makes an exception for items with special meaning, such as an antique found while traveling.