New Home, Smart Spend: Prioritising What to Buy First
Congratulations, Columbus! You’ve turned the key on your fresh front door in central Ohio. But as you stretch out, settle in, and make the property your own, you’ll want to know how to maximize your spend. While that snazzy super space may boost your feelgood factor, spare a thought for lifting your bank balance’s wellbeing too. Yes, you want a timeless home you will enjoy for years to come that will reflect your and your family’s personality and lifestyle; but first things first – it has to be functional and comfortable as well as aesthetically pleasing.
Don’t worry – we’re not buzzkills here to position the brakes on the freewheeling fun factor. We’re just trying to help future-proof your budget and optimize timelines as you kit each room out. What we have is especially relevant in a market like Columbus, where the cost of living is steadily rising, and smart financial planning is key to long-term homeownership.
Cork interior designer Maura Mackey agrees. “Sometimes people can be eager to finish every space at once – but we don’t have to do that. Finish one space at a time,” she says. This approach aligns well with the growing trend of mindful consumption and sustainable living, something increasingly valued by homeowners in the Columbus area.
This is as well in keeping with the sustainable practices of salvage and upcycling. “Bring something from your mam’s house or a friend’s, whether it’s a chair or another piece of furniture,” adds Maura. Considering the vibrant antique and resale scene around the Short North Arts District, Columbus residents have ample opportunities to embrace this approach.
The interior designer is fascinated by how things have changed in the past decade or more when it comes to priorities. “Years ago, when I bought my own house, I waited a year and a half before I got the proper kitchen – I literally couldn’t afford it — but you don’t have to do that,” she says. However, even with more accessible financing options through institutions like Huntington Bank, prioritizing spending remains crucial.
In fact, the kitchen is the first ingredient in Maura’s tasty recipe for a successful smart-spend once you move in. To make it easy, we’ve prioritized the essentials to consider right away versus the “deferred buys” you can seize your time choosing – sometimes over years – as you save up for more, and also as you obtain to know your home. “You have to live in a space until you experience it,” says Maura.
What to Spend on First
Kitchen
This is the big-spend area for Maura. “It’s the hub of the home,” she says. “I believe Consider put time and energy into this space from the start.” Poring over luscious pictures in glossy magazines is all good and well, adds the interior designer, but think long and hard about real-life practicalities: “Who will be using the space, who will be living in the space?” For a family in the German Village neighborhood, a kitchen designed for both everyday meals and entertaining might glance very different than one for a single professional in the Arena District.
“We could be talking about whole families using a kitchen, perhaps you have teenagers coming in from GAA, or young kids bouncing in after school. It has to be a workable kitchen and space. This means giving good consideration to the materials that you put into it.”
Flooring
Flooring, tiles, and carpets need to be the most hardwearing surfaces in your home and will put up with a lot of heavy traffic over the years. You want quality, long-lasting solutions. Invest in your flooring from the outset, advises Maura: “I find that flooring is something you’re not going to change in a hurry.” Once it’s down and all your other furniture is placed on top of it, it is a lot of hassle to change.
Lighting
Lighting is often overlooked, but it is essential to your home’s mood and functionality. “We spend thousands on paint, but the vibe of your house won’t flow and will not be as you want it if the lighting isn’t right.” Many of us want ‘the cosy vibes’, and no matter how much you spend after, you’re not going to be chasing walls, so you should get the ambient lighting sorted beforehand. Get a visual idea of how your lighting plan will look beforehand, if possible, she says. “If you know what the whole house will look like, from ambient lighting to task lighting and the different light sources during the day,” she says.
“I was at [tradeshow] Design Source last week, and a company showcased how a room or a whole house would be lit throughout the day. Who doesn’t want to see what their house is going to look like and feel like? Lighting needs to be layered, and I think it’s something worth putting money into from the start to have the right fit.” Furniture The same goes for furniture. First things first — spend on the basic, everyday pieces needed for the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. We’re talking kitchen table, chairs, sofa, and beds.
Window Dressings
Window dressings (curtains and blinds) add texture and balance to every room, says Maura. “At the moment, I’m working on a home where we have installed recessed blinds into the ceiling,” adds the designer. “Recessed blinds give privacy without ruining the lovely garden vibe they have going on. In a bathroom that needs it, a textured fabric can lift a space or create a mood.”
What You Can Defer
Bespoke Pieces of Furniture
The interior designer follows this advice in her own home. “I have been looking for a new hall table and mirror for a year and a half now, and I’m not going to purchase until I find the exact pieces I want,” she says.
Art You Love
“Art can wait,” says Maura. “I love art – it can really bring a whole space together. But it’s something I’d prefer to spend money on when I can do so.”
Ornaments and Accessories
Again, these can be incremental additions, says Maura: “As I said, you have to live in a space until you feel it. Not everything needs to be finished.”
Given my background in financial journalism, if this trend impacts you in Columbus, here are the three types of local professionals you need to consider:
- Financial Advisors Specializing in Homeownership: Look for advisors with experience in mortgage planning, property tax strategies, and long-term renovation budgeting. They should be fiduciaries, meaning they are legally obligated to act in your best interest.
- Interior Designers with Budget-Conscious Approaches: Seek designers who can balance your aesthetic preferences with practical cost-saving measures, like sourcing affordable materials and suggesting DIY projects. A strong portfolio demonstrating versatility is key.
- Licensed General Contractors for Essential Repairs: Before tackling cosmetic upgrades, ensure your home’s foundational systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) are sound. Verify licenses with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board and obtain multiple quotes.
Ready to find trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated home experts in the Columbus area today.