Ooo interesting question. This question actually comes up a lot, and it’s a fair question to ask. Most designs being marketed are created for the top 1-10 percenters. That said, these questions are often built around what somebody saw on HGTV, which focuses, as a network, on “middle America”. I have my own thoughts on that view of design (look here), but creates room to have this conversation. So let’s break it down a bit.

First, we have to remember that “expensive” is subjective. Everyone has a different barometer for what that actually is. What is expensive for you, is not expensive for me. I might think $600 for an area rug is a good deal, while you may think that anything over $300 is ridiculous. On the flip side, you might not mind spending $400 on a basic wall mirror, where I’m looking sideways if it goes above $100. One perception isn’t any better or worse than the other, and it’s all based on our personal values.

Now we have to look at where you tend to shop. If you’re used to pricing based on what you see at IKEA, then browsing around Restoration Hardware (RH) is going to give major sticker shock. But both these retailers have different approaches to construction, materials, customization, craftsmanship, and brand identity. So for all intents and purposes, the one is going to be more expensive than the other. You need to understand your values and weigh your options based on that. A price is just a number. You determine what difference it actually makes.

I typically try to leave things here, but there is one more thing to consider: design fees. Designers are spending their time, exhausting their creative juices, and pouring out their expertise to create a great design for you, your business, or what have you. These people deserve to be paid fairly. So no, you’re likely not going to get a free consultation. You’re also not likely to get special discounts or get away with only paying a designer $2k for a $100k project. Their professional value is just as important as your personal values, and I know you would not let slide your job not paying you properly for the work you’ve done.

Here’s what I want to leave you with: “expensive” is different for everyone, and once you understand what that looks like for you, you’ll be better prepared to make the best decisions for your next project. Have thoughts? Share them below. I would love to hear them. Talk soon!