How to Define a Budget for Your Next Home Project.

Budget - you know, the word we all despise and dance around when asked, “what budget do you have in mind for this project?” The truth is this is an awkward question for everyone involved but also a very necessary one. Dare I say…the most important question of all. That’s why a good designer should ask this during their first interaction with a new client. The answer to this question will enable us to provide a cohesive design that you can afford.. 

Furniture can vary dramatically in price, for example, a bathroom mirror can range anywhere from $200 - $3,000+. Now that's a BIG difference, wouldn’t you agree? Designers do not ask this question to see how much money you are willing to spend, but actually for quite the opposite reason. We ask because now we can gauge which vendors to source from to ensure we still provide the style you are after but with a price tag you love.

There are other reasons homeowners hate the budget question. One common reason being they do not know the answer. 

“I don’t know how much it should cost to furnish a living room” - or “I don’t know what is a ridiculous amount to spend on a chair”

You need guidance, that is the reason you hired a designer to begin with!  We can help give you a better understanding of what our average client spends with us on individual rooms.  At OGGI, we create a budget range per room to show you what you are likely to spend on soft furnishings at a low end and a high end budget. We can fall anywhere under, in between, or over this number by adjusting it accordingly. For example, our average client is likely to spend between $16,000 - $25,000 on a family room - this usually includes an area rug, rug pad, 2 sofas, 2 occasional chairs, 2 side tables, coffee table, ceiling fixture, lamp(s), artwork, pillows and throws, and sometimes millwork and window treatments. This gives our clients a clearer picture of how many items we are purchasing and helps navigate their budget toward what they are comfortable spending per room.

In conclusion, your budget is a key component to your home project and as your designers we want to be respectful of that. We want to be able to give you a home you love and to create a beautiful space with everything you hoped for. We can help guide you through this awkward question to ensure you are happy, confident and at ease with how your designers are spending your time and money.