Splurge vs. Save: The Pick 2 Principle
This week, I’m answering a listener question from Meg about how to balance style with function, especially when it comes to storage. She wants a home that looks good but also works for real life. I walk through different strategies depending on where you are in the process: whether you're starting from scratch, filling in gaps, or trying to upgrade over time. I also share my thoughts on when it makes sense to go with something quick and affordable like IKEA, and when to hold out for something more lasting.
We discuss using placeholders, being honest about your priorities (speed, price, or quality—you can only choose two), and how to avoid clutter by utilizing storage solutions that also add character. I show a few examples from my own home, including how I use vintage crates, tins, and even sugar bowls to keep things both tidy and personal.
This is the last episode of the season. We'll be back on August 18th. Also, early bird pricing for the retreat ends August 1st, so if you’re thinking about joining me this fall, now’s the time. All the details are at https://www.slowstylehome.com/retreat-2025
Watch this entire episode on YouTube HERE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
When listener Meg reached out, she asked a great question:
“While I want a home with good style, I also want to prioritize efficiency and usability... Do you have any suggestions on how to balance usability and style?”
Yes, I do. This episode digs into exactly that: how to make your home work for real life and still reflect your style. Whether you're starting from scratch, adding finishing touches, or just trying to store your stuff without feeling like you live in a storage unit, this one’s for you.
Start by Getting Real About Your Priorities
We’ve all heard it: fast, cheap, or high quality—pick two. It applies to furniture and storage just like everything else. Here's how it plays out:
Want it fast and cheap? Quality takes the hit.
Want it cheap and high quality? It’ll take time.
Want it fast and high quality? Be prepared to pay for it.
Start by deciding which two matter most to you. From there, you can build a plan that fits your real life, not just your Pinterest board.
Use Placeholders When You’re in a Rush
If you’re moving or missing basic furniture, go the placeholder route.
Thrifted or secondhand pieces are great for this. They fill a need quickly without locking you into a long-term decision. And they’re better than spending money on cheaply made pieces you’ll toss later.
Examples I’ve used:
A vintage crate stamped “Dr. Green’s Nervous Nerve Tonic” to hold design magazines.
An old crate labeled “Mount Hood Apples” next to a chair, topped with books, acts as a table and storage. Bonus: Mount Hood was part of my honeymoon, so the piece means something.
Use what works now, and slowly upgrade over time. Your placeholders don’t have to be perfect—they just have to hold you over while you wait for the right piece.
What to Splurge On—and What to Save On
If you can only afford to splurge in a few areas, choose what you use the most.
Splurge-worthy:
Your bed—because good sleep matters.
Your sofa—where you spend the most time. Think TV, work, naps.
Big impact pieces—a chandelier, a hand-knotted rug, or a piece of art you really love.
Why it matters:
Too often, people skip the big, bold purchase that makes them feel something—like that $1,500 chandelier—then blow the same amount on a bunch of smaller items that don’t move the needle. Don’t do that. One statement piece makes a room. The small stuff can wait.
Focus on One Room at a Time
Trying to decorate your whole house all at once leads to mismatched decisions and wasted money. Instead, focus on one room. Finish it—or at least get it feeling lived in—before moving to the next.
You’ll make better decisions, avoid clutter, and stretch your budget further.
Storage That’s Useful and Personal
Meg also asked about hidden storage for cleaning supplies and other necessities that don’t look great left out.
Here’s what I said: storage is a perfect opportunity to show off your personality. Skip the clear plastic bins (at least at first). Instead, use containers that do the job and tell a story.
Here’s how I do it:
Vintage Crates: I collect them anytime I see one with good typography or a meaningful label. I use them for books, magazines, toilet paper, and office supplies.
Antique Desk in My Dining Room: Too small for modern office work, but perfect for storing cloth napkins.
Sugar Bowls: I keep bracelets in one, melatonin pills in another, keeps them dust-free and hidden in plain sight.
Old Food Tins: A vintage coffee can holds reusable K-cup filters and a scoop. A cracker tin keeps olive oil and spices together on the counter.
Divided Candy Dishes: Great for olive oil and vinegar bottles.
Acrylic Drawers from the Container Store: I use them inside a vintage hutch to store taper candles, votives, and small pitchers. It's a mix of old and new, and it works.
Point is, your storage doesn’t have to be hidden, and it doesn’t have to be boring.
Is IKEA Okay?
Short answer: yes, sometimes.
IKEA works when you need something fast and functional. Some of their products are solid wood and well made. Plus, their designs are simple and easy to blend with other pieces.
What to watch out for:
Avoid particle board pieces if you want something that lasts.
Don’t start your storage strategy there; those bins and drawers are rarely worth it long-term.
Instead, try a mix. If you need a bookshelf, IKEA might be the solution. But use baskets or vintage containers to style it in a way that makes it yours.
You can have a home that’s both practical and beautiful. But you need a plan. Take stock of what you actually need, decide your priorities, and go from there.
Use placeholders when you're starting out. Splurge on what you use the most. Choose storage that adds character. And take your time; slow style means trusting that your home will come together, piece by piece.
Last reminder: This was the final episode of the season. I’ll be back August 18. And if you're thinking about joining me for the Slow Style Retreat this October, early bird pricing ends August 1. All the details are at https://www.slowstylehome.com/retreat-2025