Spend & Save

The ultimate W. List for what to splurge on and what

to save when embarking on your own home interior renovation

Nobody tells you this at the start of a renovation project, but the decisions

that make or break a room are rarely about money. They're about knowing which things you'll feel, touch and enjoy using every day, and which things quite honestly nobody will ever notice.

So after over 20 years of working in Interiors, the question I get asked most often is this: where should I splurge and where should I save?

This is my foolproof list. The one I live and die by.

SPLURGE & SPEND

Sofas & Upholstery The most used piece of furniture in your home deserves the best you can possibly afford. A well-made sofa will outlast three cheap ones — and feel better every single day. One of the other things I like to do is search for an excellent quality second hand sofa then choose some wonderful fabric from a quality fabric house and have it reupholstered. Looks a million dollars but a fraction of the price of a new one. Our go to favs for a great quality sofa is always @loveyourhomeuk

Taps & Showers Nobody ever regrets spending on taps. If a cheap shower valve fails, floods it costs twice as much to fix as you have to smash into the tiling and generally creates a right mess. For a classic Chrome timeless finish we always use @lefroybrooksofficial or for a more contemporary brushed brass finish head to @abiinteriors_uk

Bespoke Joinery The difference between a room that feels designed and one that feels decorated. When joinery is done well, it blends in beautifully but also functions totally for you — worth every penny of investment. In the Studio we love to work with @carpentrydivision

Curtains & Blinds In my schemes, I always splurge on floor-to-ceiling heavy interlined curtains in a stunning fabric or a beautifully trimmed Roman Blind. The making matters as much as the material — please don't scrimp on either.

Hardware & Cupboard Knobs If you can’t update the kitchen then definitely update the knobs and handles. The right handle on a simple cabinet makes the room just so much cooler. You will touch them every day, so spend some money on them — make sure they feel wonderful to touch. Matilda Goad @mgandco and Beata Heuman @beataheauman are our top choices for wicked knobs and handles

Marble for Kitchen Worksurfaces Yes it marks. Yes, it stains. Yes, but it's worth every penny. Marble brings a warmth and character to a kitchen that no engineered stone has ever come close to replicating. Head to the local stone yard, take your measurements and see if you can pick up an off cut or remnant. Head to our favourites @imperialstonegroupltd  

SAVE & SCALE BACK

Rugs A natural jute or sisal rug gives a room warmth and texture without the anxiety of walking on something expensive — or the horror of spilling red wine on it. Don't be afraid to layer a smaller vintage kilim on top for a pop of colour, and enjoy the fact that you can replace it when the inevitable happens. The iconic Lohals Jute Rug from @ikea and the gorgeous Large diamond Arushi Jute Rug from @rowenandwren always appear in my schemes

Art The best art in a room is rarely the most expensive. Markets, degree shows, emerging artists, a print you fell in love with online — what matters is that it means something to you, not what it cost. We love to explore @pstr.studio @theposterclub and the wonderful artist @oliviasewellart

Furniture Antique fairs, auction houses, a lucky afternoon on Vinterior. The most characterful pieces in any room I've ever loved have almost always been found rather than bought new. Pour yourself a glass of wine and get shopping.

Cushions This is where the high street genuinely delivers. A beautifully placed cushion in the right colour or fabric is all you need — nobody needs to know where it came from. Change them with the seasons, have fun with them, don't overthink it. And absolutely no chopping. Check out @next @marksandspencer @hm for some great options

Lighting The thing to invest in here is the plan, not the brand. Table lamps and decorative lighting are the great equaliser — there are brilliant options at every price point and what matters is the quality of light they cast, not the name on the base. We are completely devoted to @pookylights

Accessories & Ceramics

The soul of a room lives in its objects. A hand blown vase from a French market, a fun ceramic picked up on holiday in Italy, something inherited and slightly chipped from your Granny — these are the things that make a space feel personal to you, lived in and truly loved.

And please, do not furnish a room from the same shop. Samey samey does not work here.

PS —we are quietly building something rather wonderful behind the scenes — a world of beautiful objects to fill your home with joy. Watch this space, The Wonderland List shop, is coming soon