Page Contents
Save and Splurge: Cottage Style Home Decoration Ideas for Every Budget
Cottage style home décor has captured hearts for decades, and for good reason. But here’s the best part: you don’t need to spend a lot of extra money to achieve the look We are going to chat about some save and splurge home decor favorites, pieces I have bought, how I’ve styled them, and decorating ideas you can use in your own home!
With its warm textures, vintage charm, and lived-in feel, cottage style home decor makes every room feel inviting and timeless. Cottage style is just as much about creativity, thrifted treasures, and collected pieces as it is about investing in high-quality staples that last for generations.
Over the years, I’ve decorated our home on a budget, slowly layering in meaningful finds, vintage heirlooms, and a few splurge-worthy items that anchor each space. Along the way, I’ve learned an important secret: knowing where to save and where to splurge makes all the difference in not only the decorations of our home, but more importantly, how it functions for our family.
In previous blog posts, I share a lot about ways to save a little money with budget-friendly home decor. Today, we will definitely mostly chat about some of my favorite great save items. However, I’ll also show you a few of our splurge pieces. We are so thankful that we’ve been able to save up for some of these special pieces that fit the aesthetic and function of our home so incredibly well.
Like I always say, it is worth the wait to find the right pieces for your home. A house that is decorated in a single day is just a house. It takes time for anyone, especially new homeowners, to curate a beautiful home.
So, let’s dive into some practical (and pretty!) save and splurge home decor ideas for cottage style decorating—whether you’re just starting your cottage journey or looking to refine your home with purposeful, long-term investment staple pieces. We will also chat about what to put on your own save vs splurge mood boards to help you make the best purchase decisions as you intentionally curate your own home.
10 Save Vs Splurge Home Decor Favorites: What I Bought and Use in Our Home
- Christmas garlands (Splurge)
- Mercury glass ornament garlands (Splurge)
- Woven round tables, side tables and coffee tables (Save) compare to this Splurge: Balboa Rattan Side Table
- Rattan bar stools (Save) compare to this Splurge: Riviera Counter Stools
- Dining room chairs (Save) – all thrifted!
- Flameless taper candles (Splurge AND Save)
- Woven wall sconces (Save) compare to this Splurge: Calistoga Single Sconce
- Gingham duvet (Save)
- Rattan ottomans (Save) compare to this Splurge: Avalon Rattan Stool
- Throw pillows (obsessed with this blue block print pillow!) (Splurge AND Save)
Favorite Places to Shop for Splurge Finds
- Serena and Lily
- Pottery Barn
- Vintage Shops
- Local Boutiques
- Antique Shows
- Online Boutiques
Favorite Places to Shop for More Affordable Home Decor
- Thrift Stores
- Flea Markets
- Facebook Marketplace
- Vintage/Antique Markets
- Yard Sales
- Estate Sales
- Amazon
- Outlet Stores
- Big Box Stores (Walmart, Target)
Why Cottage Style Is Perfect for Save and Splurge Decorating
Cottage style lends itself beautifully to the save-and-splurge approach because it embraces imperfection, character, and layers. Unlike more modern design styles that depend heavily on brand-new furnishings, cottage style actually welcomes a mix of old and new.
- Vintage is a must. A secondhand hutch, a thrifted basket, or tattered, old books feel right at home in a cottage-style space. These items are often the “save” portion of your budget, but they look like treasures.
- Quality counts in the right places. Cottage homes are all about comfort, so splurging on items you’ll use every day (like seating, rugs, and lighting) ensures your home is not only beautiful but also practical. For me, good storage and organization is often splurge-worthy because it makes our home function better for our family no matter the season or decor.
- Collected over time. Cottage style isn’t about filling a cart in one shopping trip. It’s about layering thoughtfully, slowly blending investment pieces with affordable accents until you create a home that feels uniquely yours. This lends itself to also budgeting out save and splurge home decor pieces over time so you can decorate with both in your home while staying within your budget!
With that in mind, here are some categories to help guide you as you style your cottage-style home with both save and splurge home decor.
Splurge: Comfortable, Quality Seating
The heart of any cottage-style living room is its comfort. A well-made sofa or armchair is worth the splurge. Quality sofas in washable, natural fabrics (like linen or cotton) are not only classic cottage, but they’re also practical—machine washable covers make daily life with kids, pets, and entertaining much easier.
Think of your main seating as the foundation of your room. Investing in a good sofa means you’ll have a piece that lasts for years and anchors the space beautifully.
Now, investing could mean a great slipcovered sofa from Amazon or a pricey leather sofa from Pottery Barn! Either can be super comfortable and work great for your family, depending on your space and the needs of your home. We purchased our Ektorp slipcovered sectional from IKEA about 8 years ago and it is going strong! It was definitely a great way for us to get a great piece at an affordable price.
Pro Tip: When investing in larger furniture items, like a good sofa, choose neutral fabrics that can go with any color palette down the road. Also choose a timeless style that can blend with whatever latest trends you may choose to bring in with decorative accents in the long run.
Save: Accent Chairs, Benches, and Ottomans
Extra seating is a great place to save. Flea markets, thrift shops, and even online marketplaces are filled with charming chairs and benches that only need a little love. A coat of paint, new fabric, or a slipcover can transform these pieces into cottage-style gems for secondary seating without breaking the bank.
All of our dining room chairs are secondhand and I love them all!
Pro Tip: Look for pieces with interesting shapes or legs that can benefit from new life—they’ll stand out even if you keep the finish simple.
Splurge: Timeless Rugs That Ground Your Space
A cottage-style room feels cozy and layered, and rugs are an essential part of that. Splurging on a high quality, natural fiber rug, such as wool or jute, is worth it because these rugs age gracefully, are durable, and provide that warm, textural foundation cottage homes thrive on. Natural fibers are also a great way to bring the cottage look to any room.
A couple of my favorite rugs, however, are splurge items that I’ve been able to save hundreds of dollars on by purchasing secondhand. If you know a particular brand or style that you’re looking for, try Facebook Marketplace before paying full price.
We were able to get the perfect Serena and Lily rug for our girls’ room for 10% of the price it cost online as well as the pretty, cottage check rug, also from Serena and Lily, for our family room. Both of these FB Marketplace finds saved us a lot of money while getting the better quality and look of some of my favorite interior designers.
A beautiful rug also helps tie together your furniture and color palette. This is an easy way to make your space feel curated and more intentional.
Save: Vintage Rugs and Washable Layers
For layering or smaller spaces, budget-friendly rugs can work wonders. Washable rugs are great for kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways.
One of my favorite tricks is to save money by layering a small vintage or vintage style rug (from a flea market or estate sale) over a larger, neutral jute rug. This not only stretches your budget but also adds that collected, curated look cottage style is known for.
Splurge: Statement Lighting
Quality lighting is one of the best ways to bring character into your cottage-style home. A chandelier above the dining table (ours was original to the house and we just added a light coat of paint), a lantern-style pendant in the entryway, or a rattan fixture in the living room can instantly change the feel of the room. These are the kinds of pieces that feel like jewelry for your home—so they’re worth the splurge if you need to.
As with rugs, however, there are many home decor designer dupes online for light fixtures as well as the “real thing” available secondhand. These are the really amazing, more affordable finds that are worth the wait!
Most of our light fixtures are high-end pieces that we have purchased at outlets or secondhand. (We spent the most time in the Restoration Hardware outlets when we were renovating our home to find the lighting we wanted!) This is the best way to get the same great quality as some of these high-end pieces offer but for great prices and an affordable look. By waiting patiently and scouting out secondhand and outlet lighting, we were able to get THIS gorgeous light, for example, for a small fraction of the original retail price!
Save: Lamps and Smaller Fixtures
Don’t overlook the “everyday” lighting like table lamps, floor lamps, or sconces. These are places where you can absolutely save. A simple thrifted lamp base paired with a linen shade looks beautiful while creating a cozy corner for your home.
Or, if you’re up for cottage style DIY, you can even make your own lamp from a vintage jug, vase, or urn. Over on THIS blog post, we give a step by step tutorial to turn a piece of architectural salvage into a gorgeous lamp!
Affordable sconces are also great pieces to add charm to cottage-style hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms or to flank a piece of furniture in an entryway.
There are many dupe options available for lighting so hunt around for the right piece before making your purchase decision. I love the Serena and Lily look and was excited to grab these beautiful woven sconces on Amazon for a small fraction of the price while still getting the timeless cottage look.
Splurge: Authentic Vintage Furniture
True vintage or antique pieces bring irreplaceable charm and soul to your cottage home. A weathered, antique dining room table, a vintage dresser, or a rustic hutch isn’t just furniture—it’s a piece of history. These are splurge-worthy investments because they often become the centerpiece of your space, adding depth and authenticity that reproductions can’t replicate.
Some of the pieces that we have splurged on in our home serve both the aesthetic of our home and the function. For example, an old work cabinet from North Carolina keeps media items organized in the family room while an antique apothecary from Kansas stores my table decor and hosting/entertaining pieces.
When planning the function, storage, and aesthetic of your home, make a list of large pieces that could meet all of these needs AND wishes. It has taken us many years but we have slowly added the perfect pieces for our home over time.
Save: Decorative Vintage Accents
One of my favorite ways to bring the cottage style into our home is with accent tables. Plus, accents like coffee tables, end tables, and side tables are pieces that can last a long time but don’t have to break the bank. Almost all of our accent tables are secondhand purchases, with the exception of THESE woven side tables that are awesome dupes for some of my favorite interior designer finds!
Not every vintage item has to be a big-ticket purchase. Save by hunting for smaller vintage treasures:
- Old books with worn covers
- Ironstone pitchers or platters
- Woven baskets for storage
- Vintage mirrors or frames
- Brass candle holders and candle sconces
These affordable accents layer beautifully with your splurge pieces, making your whole home feel collected and cohesive.
Splurge: Quality Window Treatments
Windows are often overlooked, but high-quality treatments can dramatically elevate your cottage-style space. Linen drapes, wooden blinds, or bamboo shades soften the room, filter light beautifully, and create a timeless backdrop.
Save: Café Curtains or Sheers
In casual cottage spaces, you don’t always need full-length drapes. Café curtains in kitchens or sheer panels in bathrooms create that breezy, effortless look at a fraction of the cost. They’re simple, pretty, and perfect for budget-friendly decorating.
Tip: Amazon is a great spot for curtains and window treatments and I’ve always been able to get them on sale if I just look around!
You can browse my favorite brand of curtains HERE!
Splurge: Artwork That Speaks to You
Every cottage home needs artwork that feels personal. Whether it’s a vintage oil painting, a landscape, or a portrait, splurging on art pieces you truly love adds depth and character to your space. These are the kinds of pieces that make your home feel uniquely yours.
Some of my splurges have been old signs, like my favorite antique English “Cottage To Let” sign from an antique show. These kinds of pieces that make your heart skip a beat are usually the splurges that stand the test of time and add a ton of character to your home.
Save: DIY or Printable Art
If you’re not ready to invest heavily in art, there are plenty of ways to save. Download printable vintage art from online shops, use thrift store frames, or even frame pages from antique books. This allows you to rotate art seasonally while staying within budget.
Almost all of my artwork are pieces I have purchased at a reasonable price at thrift stores or vintage markets. Again, these kinds of decor items, whether save or splurge pieces, take time to collect. However, all of my favorite home decor finds have been well worth the wait!
Splurge: The Right Bedding
Cottage style bedrooms are known for being cozy and inviting. High-quality linen or cotton bedding is worth the investment—it feels luxurious, lasts longer, and only gets softer with every wash. A timeless quilt or coverlet can also become an heirloom piece.
Save: Decorative Pillows and Throws
You don’t have to splurge on every layer. Decorative pillows, seasonal throws, and even extra quilts can be thrifted or purchased affordably. Clearance sales and Amazon finds are my favorite ways to grab a good deal and switch up the feel of the room without spending a lot of extra money. These layers let you change up the look of your bedroom without replacing the foundation pieces.
Pro Tip: Create a splurge design board for your bedding. Then, shop around for similar items and wait for a splurge favorite or two to go on sale. It is worth spending time to get a similar look without the highest price tag!
You can browse some of my own bedroom essentials curated HERE!
Splurge: Functional Kitchen Pieces
The cottage kitchen is often the heart of the home. In our home, at least, the kitchen is definitely one of the hardest working spaces so we have been thankful for good quality pieces. Investing in a solid farmhouse table, durable cookware, or even a vintage hutch for storage, like the antique apothecary in our dining room, can be worth every penny. These items not only serve a purpose but also add beauty and character.
Save: Everyday Accents
In general, I am a big fan of keeping decorative accessories in a kitchen to a minimum. I enjoy a focal point on the kitchen island and a few smaller decor accents. For the most part, however, “decor” is made of items that get a lot of use or are even used on a daily basis.
Save by decorating with inexpensive items that bring cottage charm:
- Pretty pitcher to hold cooking utensils by the stove
- Wooden cutting boards collected over time
- Woven trays and baskets
- Vintage-inspired dish towels
These small details add personality without straining your budget.
You can browse some of my curated kitchen accents HERE for budget-friendly finds.
How to Balance Saves and Splurges in a Cottage Home
At the end of the day, creating a cottage-style home isn’t about how much you spend. It’s about curating a space that feels warm, personal, and welcoming. By splurging on the foundational items that you’ll use daily (sofas, rugs, lighting, tables) and saving on decorative layers (vintage accents, throw pillows, thrifted treasures), you’ll strike the perfect balance for a beautiful home.
Remember, cottage style thrives on imperfections. A cracked ironstone pitcher, a slightly faded rug, or timeworn accent tables with chippy patina only adds to the charm. Your splurge pieces will shine even brighter when surrounded by these budget-friendly layers.
Pro Tip: Study the look of your favorite interior designer finds and keep a running list of amazing finds you are hunting for. You never know when you’ll round the corner at a thrift store to find the perfect piece, most likely collecting dust on a shelf in the corner!
Final Thoughts: Your Cottage Home, Your Story
The beauty of cottage style is that it tells a story—your story. Each save-and-splurge decision reflects what you value most in your home. Maybe you invest in a statement chandelier that makes your dining room sparkle, but you thrift every basket and pitcher you own. Or maybe you save for years to buy an antique farmhouse table, while layering in budget-friendly textiles to fill out the space.
There’s no right or wrong way to decorate a cottage home. The magic happens when your splurge pieces and your saved finds come together to create a cozy, timeless, and welcoming atmosphere.
Pro Tip: Take your time. Layer slowly. Splurge where it matters most to you, and enjoy the hunt for those budget-friendly treasures that make cottage style so beloved.
To see some of my favorite affordable finds and dupe options for high-end style and cottage accents, you may browse my storefront, found HERE.
You may also enjoy these home decor ideas and easy styling tips for your home:
- How to Decorate for Fall with Coastal Grandmother Style
- 7 Easy Ways to Make Your DIY Fall Flowers Amazing
- How to Easily Decorate a Cozy Fall Bedroom
- The Best 7 Useful Fall Decor Items You Need to Thrift For
- 5 Beautiful Ways to Use Dried Gourds for Fall Decor
- 44 Easy Ideas to Decorate a Kitchen Table for Fall
- How to Decorate with 21 Easy Cozy Home Decor Ideas for Fall
- The Best 7 Thrifted Fall Home Decor Items to Shop For
- Simple Tips for Decorating with Cozy Fall Kitchen Decor
- How to Style Beautiful Fall Dough Bowl Decor in 3 Minutes
- Design Ideas to Create a Rustic Neutral Living Room for Fall
